The Waterloo Warriors kicked off their playoff series in dominant fashion, securing a 2-0 victory over the Nipissing Lakers in front of a packed home crowd at Columbia Icefield Arena. With both teams entering the match up with similar regular season stats, the stage was set for a competitive game.

The opening period saw both teams come out with speed, generating early offensive chances. However, both defensive units held strong, forcing most shots to come from the perimeter and keeping quality scoring opportunities to a minimum. Each team took early penalties, but neither was able to capitalize. Waterloo's Jordy Wyant (Winnipeg, MB) was a key presence on the ice, helping to shut down Nipissing's attacks. The first 20 minutes closed scoreless at 0-0, setting up an intense remainder of the game.

The back and forth action continued in the second period, with both teams ramping up the intensity in the battle for momentum. It was the Warriors who struck first, as Andrea Murray (Mississauga, ON) found the back of the net to give Waterloo a 1-0 lead. The Lakers responded with a series of close scoring chances, but the Warriors' defensive structure held firm. Waterloo continued to press offensively, highlighted by Keiara Raitt's (Ancaster, ON) slick puck handling in the offensive zone, helping the Warriors maintain pressure and create seamless passing plays. Their persistence paid off when Nikki McDonald (Stoney Creek, ON) capitalized on a failed Lakers clearing attempt, burying the puck to extend the Warriors' lead to 2-0 heading into the final period.

Facing pressure, the Lakers came out with urgency in the third, pushing hard to cut into the Warriors' lead. However, Waterloo's goaltender Kara Mark (New Hamburg, ON) was up to the task, making a series of crucial saves to keep Nipissing off the scoreboard. In the closing moments, the Warriors locked down defensively, with Emma Thornton's (Kitchener, ON) quick skating preventing a potential icing call that would have given the Lakers an offensive zone face off. With a full team effort, Waterloo sealed the 2-0 win, taking a 1-0 series lead in the best of three match up.

The Warriors will look to close out the series on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.