Saturday, April 26, 2025
Brock's Only Independent Student Newspaper
One of the only worker-managed newspapers in Canada

Brock Women’s hockey team continue struggles into the new year

|
|

The Brock Women’s hockey team returned to action for their first game of 2023 on Jan. 6.

Following an OUA championship, the Badgers had a rough start to the season as they stood 5-9 heading into the second semester of hockey. Unfortunately, their struggles continued into the new year as they gave up three first-period goals against the Windsor Lancers, putting themselves in quite the hole for the remaining 40 minutes of play.

The Badgers got into some penalty trouble in the second period, taking four penalties in the first nine minutes of the period. One of the penalties being a major for boarding. Luckily, the Badgers managed to kill off all four power plays and kept the deficit to three throughout the rest of the second period.

In the third period, Claudia Murphy got Brock’s first goal of 2023, cutting the deficit to just two with over 18 minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Badgers, Kristen Swiatoschik shut the door for Windsor the remainder of the period and Brock’s struggles continued, losing their fourth straight game in regulation.

Brock would have a chance at redemption on Jan. 7 as they set to play Windsor in the second game of a two game road trip. The Badgers looked hungry for revenge as they dominated play early, pressuring the Lancers defence in the offensive zone. Windsor played tight, checking defence not allowing too many dangerous chances in the first seven minutes of play.

It would be an offensive zone faceoff loss for the Badgers that led to a Windsor rush up ice and the eventual first goal of the game. But this did not phase the Badgers as they continued to control most of the possession in the offensive zone, just unable to find the back of the net.

Late in the first period, Windsor took their first penalty of the game sending Brock on the powerplay. Sustained pressure low in the offensive zone led to Brocks’ Rebekah Feld shot on net and a rebound batted home by Madison Cronkwright to tie the game at 1-1.

The rest of the first and the entirety of the second was scoreless and it was not until just over six and a half minutes into the third when a Windsor powerplay led to a goal from Jaden Cherry, giving them the 2-1 lead. Brock then continued to look for an equalizer and it came just over three minutes later when Claudia Murphy ripped a backhand over the shoulder of the Windsor goaltender Cadence Petitclerc to tie the game at two.

Both teams would be robbed for the remainder of the period as both goaltenders played outstanding third periods, each making 11 saves and both being a big reason that the game was headed to overtime.

After a back-and-forth overtime that was dominated by Windsor’s chances – one hitting the post and a two on zero where Harmison made an incredible blocker save to keep the game going – the Badgers were unable to match the pace of Windsor, leading to yet another loss. Keanna McKibbin beat Harmison in tight, sneaking the puck under the goaltender’s arm.

The Brock women’s hockey team is back in action on Jan. 13 at home against the University of Waterloo.

Tickets for all Badger home games can be found here and all information on the Badgers can be found at gobadgers.com.

More by this author

RELATED ARTICLES

Women’s sports threatened by new research cuts  

The intersection of politics and sports took another sharp turn when the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive through Executive Order 14168, removing the terms “female,” gender,” “pregnant” and “LGBTQ+” from all federal research grants. 

By the numbers: Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record 

The chase is over: Alex Ovechkin has broken Wayne Gretzky’s 31-year NHL regular season goal-scoring record. 

Gala caps off Brock’s winning sports year 

The athletic term at Brock University closes with a celebration recognizing student athletes, coaches and teams who defined the 2024-25 season.  

Florida’s journey to winning NCAA championship  

With the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four concluded, the stage was set for the national championship game between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Houston Cougars. 

UConn women finish season as champions 

The University of Connecticut Huskies clinched their 12th NCAA National Championship by defeating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, marking UConn’s first national title since 2016.  

Bayern Munich threatens legal action against Canada Soccer following Alphonso Davies’ knee injury 

German soccer club Bayern Munich have threatened to sue Canada Soccer in the aftermath of Alphonso Davies’ ACL tear, suffered during the latest international window. 

Banner SZN: Recapping U Sports winners of the 2024-25 indoor season 

Another U Sports season full of excitement, disappointment and triumph is in the books, leaving one team standing amongst each sport at the end of a grueling season. 

Ouellette, Hood named The Brock Press’ Rookies of the Year 

Rémi Ouellette (men’s track and field) and Sydney Hood (women’s hockey) have been selected as The Brock Press’ Rookies of the Year for the 2024-25 season.