The Brock Badgers women's hockey team will live to fight another series, advancing to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarterfinal round.
The No. 5 OUA West seed Badgers departed the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex in Windsor, Ont., with a 2-1 upset victory over the No. 4 seed Windsor Lancers on Saturday, Feb. 21 in a win or go home OUA play-in game.
"Getting to the playoffs is so difficult in this league and being able to extend our season is such a great thing for this group," said head coach Margot Page. "Our goal was getting to the playoffs, and we have achieved beyond that."
Forwards Randyll Strongman and Grace Campbell provided the goal scoring spark for the Badgers, netting one goal each, while Avery Diljee recorded her third straight game with a point by assisting on the Campbell's game winner.
Second-year netminder Meghan Thiessen was instrumental in the victory, stopping all but one of the 27 shots that came her way.
"Megan has been solid for us down the stretch, working hard to cover the pucks in front of her," Page said. "Windsor is so strong in front of the net, so it was very important for her to execute."
The Lancers controlled the tempo on home ice throughout the first period, peppering the Badgers' net with nine shots.
Brock sustained the early pressure, killing off two penalties within the frame, to head into the first intermission scoreless.
Strongman opened the scoring with a nifty backhand finish after a precise pass from Allison Stevenson midway through the second frame.
The hosts responded swiftly as Madison Hollohan tucked in her own rebound to level the game 1-1.
The Badgers responded less than two minutes later after a scramble in the Windsor zone fell to Campbell, who dangled her way past the Lancers' netminder to give the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.
Brock withstood a final push from Windsor down the stretch, with Thiessen stopping all nine shots that she faced and the Badgers killing off the only penalty of the frame.
"Getting under and blocking pucks in the defensive zone and winning the defensive 'river' was key to hanging on in the third period," Page said. "We also worked the puck low in the offensive zone since Windsor is so strong defensively especially on the points."
Brock's defensive toughness was a key throughout the game. Despite taking four penalties to just one from their opponents, the Badgers killed off every single Lancers' power play.
Brock now has their sights set on preparing to battle the No. 4 nationally ranked and No. 1 OUA West seed Laurier Golden Hawks in a three-game series. The first matchup is set for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in Waterloo, Ont., before the Badgers travel back home to Canada Games Park on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. If necessary, the third game will take place back in Waterloo, Ont., on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
