Steel Blade Classic between Brock and Guelph finally hits the ice

Niagara | St Catharines | Education | Hockey | Sports |

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Published September 19, 2022 at 2:09 pm

Largely shut down during the pandemic restrictions, the Meridian Centre has seen a lot of activity in the past few months.

However, there’s been one event that’s been missing for a few years and is just finally returning now.

The Steel Blade Classic between the Brock Badgers and Guelph Gryphons men’s hockey teams hasn’t been played since 2019.

It will return for the 22nd time this Friday (September 23) with the puck dropping at 7 pm.

Brock captain Jared Marino told the Brock News that the atmosphere from the Steel Blade crowd is an unforgettable experience.

“Steel Blade is one of the best nights of the year. The adrenaline you feel from your fellow students is like no other,” he said. “It’s an event that everyone who comes to Brock looks forward to being a part of.”

A Master of Accountancy student from Niagara Falls, Marino will lace up for his third Steel Blade game next week.

“I still get that same feeling as if it was my first Steel Blade,” he said.

“The cherry on top of the evening will be having my friends and family experience this game. The return of Steel Blade is something we’ve all looked forward to and I’m excited to play in front of them.”

While the Badgers and Gryphons are tied 2-2 in Steel Blade action since the event moved to the Meridian Centre in 2016, over the course of 17-year history prior to that, the Badgers have raised the Steel Blade trophy — a sword carried by sergeants of the Upper Canada Artillery Units and Royal Artillery during the War of 1812 — 11 times, including six consecutive years.

The Badgers will debut a recruiting class consisting of forward Mathew Riva of Niagara Falls, defenceman AJ Cook of Niagara-on-the-Lake, centreman Ethan Sims of Hamilton and goaltender Andrew MacLean, who helped the St. Catharines Falcons capture a junior B hockey championship title, the Sutherland Cup, last season.

General admission Lower Bowl tickets are $30 each, with $1 from each ticket donated to the Brock University Students’ Union Food First program.

Community members and alumni also have the opportunity to watch the game from the upper Club Level of the Meridian Centre. Club Level tickets — $40 for adults and $20 for children aged three to 12 — include access to a private bar and complimentary snacks.

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