Emily Eikelboom, Kristen Swiatoschik, and Aubrey Lefler Lancers Emily Eikelboom, Kristen Swiatoschik, and Aubrey Lefler will hit the ice this weekend to open the women’s hockey season. Photo by Michael P. Hall.

Puck to drop on women’s hockey season

Lancer women’s hockey will open its 2022-23 campaign this weekend with contests against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday and the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday, both at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex. Game time both nights is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.

Head coach Deanna Iwanicka says her roster of returning veterans and new recruits is ready to play its first full season since 2020 after earning a home playoff berth last year but having it cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols.

“We’ve got a fairly young back end, but I am confident in the players who have come in and as well as those returning,” she says. “The hope is that some of these players will grow into these significant on- and off-ice team roles.”

Read a full preview of the season by Mia Ines at goLancers.ca.

Men’s hockey split last weekend’s openers against the Lakehead Thunderwolves and will continue the young season with a doubleheader Friday and Saturday against the Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo.

The Lancer softball club will compete in the provincial championship tournament this weekend in Waterloo, with an initial match-up against the Toronto Varsity Blues at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

Football will close out its regular season Saturday, hosting the Waterloo Warriors at Alumni Field. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.

Soccer will also come to the end of the regular season, heading to Guelph for a pair of games Friday against the Gryphons. The women will play at 6 p.m. and the men at 8:15 p.m.

Cross-country runners will compete in the Eastern Michigan University Fall Classic meet Friday as a warm-up for the Ontario University Athletics championships in London Oct. 29.

Lancer women’s basketball will play in the pre-season Darcel Wright Memorial Tournament in Toronto, opening with a Friday tilt against the Saskatchewan Huskies.