GUELPH, Ont. - On Saturday night (Feb. 17) the U SPORTS No. 3-ranked Gryphons women's hockey team suffered just their third regulation loss of the season to the Windsor Lancers after a two-goal third period lifted the visiting team to the win. With the loss the Gryphons finish the 2023-24 season with a 23-3-2 record, while the Lancers improved to 11-12-5. The 2-1 win for the Lancers officially sets up a rematch between the two teams in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 McCaw Cup playoffs, with visiting team clinching a postseason berth over the Western Mustangs thanks to the victory. 

The opening round of the OUA playoffs will begin Wednesday, February 21 with game one of a best-of-three series taking place at the Gryphon Centre. The last time the Gryphons and Lancers met in the playoffs, the University of Guelph women's hockey team advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 series win that saw the Gryphons defeat the Lancers 3-2 in a four-overtime barn burner. That game was the second-longest game in U of G program history. 

Saturday night's regular season finale got off to a strong start for the Gryphons who dominated on offence, outshooting the Lancers 16-5. Despite their impressive offensive output the Gryphons were unable to beat Windsor goaltender Kristen Swiatoschik with the period ending with no goals. After a much more tightly-contested start to the second period, Jaime Magoffin was finally able to break the tie, beating Swiatoschik blocker-side for her seventh goal of the campaign. U of G seniors Tori Verbeek and Hannah Tait, who were honoured prior to puck drop, would each pick up an assist on the score bringing their season point totals to 23 and 25. 

Gryphon goaltender Martina Fedel, who made her first start since January 26, played a clean game up until 6:19 into the final period when Emily Eikelboom of the Lancers tied the game. Just under three minutes later the Lancers would take the lead with Maggie Peterson scoring the eventual game-winner. Despite an empty Gryphon net for the final two minutes, Windsor was able to escape with the win and the 4th-seed in the 2024 postseason.

The Gryphons and Lancers will take the ice at the Gryphon Centre for game one of the best-of-three series Wednesday night, with puck drop set for 7:30pm. Tickets are available at gryphons.ca/tickets with the game also available on oua.tv for fans unable to attend.