Underdog Lancers ‘adding to fuel’ with every upset
It was another upset series win for the University of Windsor Lancers men’s hockey team that’s taking on a familiar pattern in the OUA West Division playdowns.
The Lancers rallied from an early deficit to beat the No. 4-ranked Ryerson Rams 3-1 on Saturday in Toronto, giving the Lancers a sweep of their best-of three semifinal against the top-seeded Rams. The Lancers were the sixth seed going into the playoffs.
“It’s adding to our fuel,” Lancers forward Mike Christou said of the upset label.
“We know we have what it takes, and instead of just talking, we just ignore it and go on the ice and leave it all out there. We know we deserved to win it.”
After taking out third-seed Wilfrid Laurier in the first round and now Ryerson in the second round, the Lancers move on to face the second seed York Lions, ranked No. 9 in the country, in the west final. The best-of-three series opens at South Windsor Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
A series win assures the Lancers a spot at the national University Cup tournament for the third time in the last five seasons. The nationals are scheduled for Fredericton, N.B. in late March.
“We all have a goal in mind and we won’t celebrate until we reach our goal,” the 25-year-old Christou said.
The Lancers have battled injuries all season and Christou was one player who missed significant time as he battled a concussion and a broken hand.
“He’s playing the best hockey I’ve seen him play here in four years,” Lancers head coach Kevin Hamlin said of Christou.
Heading into Saturday’s game, Christou hadn’t scored a goal this season. After a scoreless opening period, the Rams got on the board first, but Justice Dundas pulled the Lancers even after 40 minutes.
A minute into the third period, Christou notched the game-winning goal as he put home a rebound off a Blake Blondeel shot.
Christou added an empty-net goal in the final minute and goalie Blake Richard made 32 saves to secure the win for the Lancers.