Huskies ride fast start past Lancers into University Cup final
March 21, 2026

Huskies ride fast start past Lancers into University Cup final

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Ben Boyd scored twice and the host Saint Mary’s Huskies erupted for three first-period goals en route to a 4-1 victory over the Windsor Lancers in the first semifinal of the 2026 U SPORTS University Cup on Saturday at the Scotiabank Centre.
 
With the win, No. 8-seeded Saint Mary’s advances to Sunday’s national championship game at 1 p.m. Atlantic, while Windsor, who came in as the No. 4 seed will play for bronze at 9 a.m.
 
The Huskies wasted no time energizing the home crowd, opening the scoring just 2:34 into the contest on a goal from Matthew MacDonald. Just over a minute later, Reid Valade doubled the lead, and Boyd capped the early surge with a goal at 8:12 to give Saint Mary’s a commanding 3-0 advantage before the midway point of the opening frame.
 
That early cushion proved decisive. Windsor pushed back in the second period but could not beat Huskies goaltender Marcus Vandenberg, who finished with 24 saves in a steady performance.
The Lancers finally broke through early in the third period when player of the game Ray Hamlin scored on the power play to cut the deficit to 3-1. Windsor continued to press, pulling within striking distance, but Saint Mary’s defensive structure held firm down the stretch.
 
Boyd, named Saint Mary’s player of the game, sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final two minutes, finishing with a two-goal performance and helping the Huskies secure their place in the national final in their home city.
 
Saint Mary’s improves to 18-13-3 overall (16-11-3 AUS), while Windsor falls to 22-8-4 (18-7-3 OUA).
 
NIKE TEAM PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Saint Mary’s — Ben Boyd
Windsor — Ray Hamlin