Box Score WATERLOO, Ont. — The Waterloo Warriors men's hockey team opened their home season in thrilling fashion on Friday night at Columbia Icefield Arena, overcoming a three-goal deficit to defeat the York Lions 5–3 on October 9. Led by a two-goal performance from Jesse Fishman (Thornhill, ONT/Blyth Academy Downsview) and a strong offensive push in the third period, the Warriors scored five unanswered goals to secure an impressive comeback victory in their home opener in front of over 200 fans.

The opening period saw both teams looking to establish momentum, with Waterloo generating several scoring opportunities and outshooting York 12-11. Despite the Warriors' offensive pressure, the Lions struck first at 17:37 when Olivier Lamothe opened the scoring, assisted by Thomas Johnston and Ryder Ringor. Waterloo earned a late power-play opportunity following a tripping penalty to York's Hunter Brown, but was unable to capitalize before the end of the period, sending the Warriors into the first intermission trailing 1-0.

York continued to build its lead in the second period, with Rylan Ringor finding the back of the net at 8:42 off assists from Bryan McAndrews and Ethan Strik. Less than two minutes later, the Lions capitalized on a power play when Brandon McCartney scored at 10:22, extending York's advantage to 3-0. However, Waterloo refused to back down and began shifting the momentum in its favour. At 12:59, Jaden Goldie (Owen Sound, ONT/St Mary's High School) put the Warriors on the board with a power-play goal, assisted by Brendan Bays (Ottawa, ONT/Immaculata high school) and Jayden Reyers. Waterloo continued to apply pressure, and at 16:45, Evan Klein (Kitchener, ONT/Victus Academy) cut the deficit to one with his first goal of the season, assisted by Reyers and Sami Douglas-Najem (Belleville, ONT/Eastside Secondary School). The Warriors entered the second intermission trailing 3–2, having regained momentum with two unanswered goals.

The third period saw Waterloo complete its comeback with a dominant offensive performance. After York's Ethan Strik was called for high-sticking, the Warriors capitalized on the man advantage at 9:32 when Jesse Fishman (Thornhill, ONT/Blyth Academy Downsview) scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Bays and Reyers, tying the game at 3-3. With momentum firmly on their side, Waterloo continued to press, and at 13:19, Max Monette (Banff, ONT/Edge School) scored the go-ahead goal off a pass from Owen Wilson (Oakville, ONT/Holy Trintiy Secondary School), giving the Warriors their first lead of the night at 4–3. York pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, but Waterloo remained composed. With the Lions' net empty, Fishman sealed the victory with his second goal of the night at 19:51, completing the five-goal comeback and securing a 5-3 win.

Fishman led the Warriors offensively with two goals, while Reyers recorded three assists in the victory. Bays added two assists, contributing to a Waterloo power play that converted on two of its four opportunities. Between the pipes, Matt Onuska (Waterloo, ON/) delivered a steady performance, stopping 27 of 30 shots to earn the win. Waterloo outshot York 37-30, including a commanding 17-10 advantage in the third period, as the Warriors turned a difficult start into a memorable comeback victory to open their home season.