Host Huskies to play for gold after 4-1 semifinal win over Windsor

(HALIFAX, N.S.) 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, generating several early shots on goal, but Windsor All-Canadian netminder Max Donoso was able to turn them away.

That is until Huskies forward Matthew MacDonald took a pass in the neutral zone and pulled off a highlight reel deke through a Lancers' defenders legs, before beat Donoso high to make it 1-0, 2:34 into the first.

Saint Mary's doubled their lead just a minute later, courtesy the nations leading scorer Reid Valade. The second team All-Canadian took a pass from linemate Jake Uberti and quickly fired a one-timer into goal for his second goal of the tournament, making it 2-0, 3:35 into the first.

Midway through the period, the Huskies extended their lead to 3-0, with Ben Allison firing a pass in front of goal that deflected off a Lancers' stick, right to Ben Boyd, who capitalized by roofing a high shot to triple the SMU lead.

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 got one back with a powerplay goal just over five minutes into the third period, as Colton Smith's shot from the point bounced around traffic in the crease before forward Ray Hamlin stuffed it into goal to make it 3-1, 5:22 into the third.

Just over four minutes later, the Lancers appeared to have cut the lead to one with a wrap-around goal from forward Owen Jones, but video review showed clear goaltender interference and the call was overturned.

With 1:25 remaining, Ben Boyd iced the game with an empty net goal, his second tally of the night punching the Huskies ticket to the U CUP Championship final, where Saint Mary's will await the winner of the UNB / UQTR semifinal for Sunday's 1 p.m. Atlantic final. 

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


Source: Saint Mary's Huskies Communications