WATERLOO, Ont. — An explosive opening period and a composed response to Brock pushback lifted the Waterloo Warriors to a convincing 6–3 victory over the Brock Badgers on home ice, as the Warriors dictated play for long stretches and showcased their offensive depth.

Waterloo wasted no time establishing control. Just 37 seconds into the game, Carly Orth (Bolton, Ont./Humberview Secondary School) opened the scoring, finishing a quick strike set up by Brooke Williams (Valley, N.S./Cobequid Educational Center) to ignite the home crowd. The early goal set the tone for a dominant first period, with the

Warriors rolling all four lines and consistently winning races to loose pucks. At 3:46, Gracey Smith (Waterloo, Ont./Preston High School) doubled the lead, converting a crisp passing sequence from Tatum James (Stratford, Ont./Northwestern Secondary School) and Lyndsy Acheson (Summerland, B.C./Penticton Secondary School). Waterloo continued to press, and at 10:06 Katina Duscio (Kitchener, Ont./St. Mary's High School) made it 3–0, snapping home a goal off a feed from Ashlyn Kroes (Milton, Ont./Craig Kielburger Secondary School). Despite a handful of penalties late in the frame that disrupted the flow, the Warriors remained composed and carried a commanding three-goal lead — along with a 17–4 shots advantage — into the first intermission.

The momentum carried into the second period as Waterloo struck again early. At 1:44, Orth scored her second of the afternoon, finishing a well-worked play from Williams and Acheson to extend the lead to four. Brock found a response midway through the period when Ellie French got the visitors on the board at 11:51, but any hint of a sustained comeback was quickly answered. At 16:34, Keiara Raitt (Ancaster, Ont./Ancaster High School) restored the four-goal cushion, finishing a play created by Erika Porter (Mississauga, Ont./Applewood Heights Secondary School). Just 35 seconds later, the Warriors capitalized on the power play, as James converted at 17:09 with helpers from Tia Lascelle (Lancaster. Ont./Ontario Hockey Academy) and Nikki McDonald. Brock answered late in the period through J.J. Parks at 17:18, sending the teams to the third with Waterloo holding a 6–2 advantage in a period that featured momentum swings and special-teams exchanges.

The third period tightened as physical play increased and Brock pushed to climb back into the contest. The visitors capitalized on an extended power-play opportunity at 4:37, with Marin Green scoring to cut the deficit to three. Waterloo responded with calm, structured play, limiting Brock's offensive looks and managing the remainder of the game effectively. The Warriors controlled possession, closed gaps defensively, and prevented Brock from generating sustained pressure down the stretch.

By the final horn, Waterloo held a decisive 36–17 edge in shots and limited Brock to just five shots in the third period. The Warriors finished 1-for-5 on the power play, while Brock was held scoreless on four opportunities with the advantage. Orth led the way offensively with a two-goal performance, while James, Williams, and Acheson each recorded multi-point outings. In goal, Kara Mark (New Hamburg, Ont./Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School and Victus Academy) delivered a steady performance, turning aside 14 shots to secure the win.

With the win, the Warriors have officially clinched a spot in the OUA playoffs as they look to make return to the McCaw Cup final for a third consecutive season and repeat 2024's result which saw them take home the conference championship.

The Warriors hit the ice at CIF Arena again Saturday at 4:00 PM to take on the York Lions in their Senior Game. The team will celebrate their class of ten graduating student-athletes ahead of puckdrop.