Downtown St. Catharines was once again filled with Brock pride Friday night as 3,500 fans packed the Meridian Centre for the Steel Blade Classic, watching on as the Badgers emerged victorious over the Guelph Gryphons at the University’s signature Homecoming event.

“The Steel Blade Classic is an opportunity to bring the Brock and Niagara communities together, celebrate our student-athletes and showcase the incredible pride and support that surrounds Brock University,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director, Brock Sports and Recreation. “We’re grateful to everyone who continues to make this event such a special tradition.”

The Steel Blade Classic dates back to 1999, when the annual one-game showdown between Brock and Niagara University was launched at Thorold Arena. The event has since grown into one of Brock’s most anticipated sporting traditions, bringing generations of Badgers together to celebrate the University and its student-athletes.

Friday night’s return to the ice saw Brock defeat Guelph 5-1.

Brock men’s hockey captain Nathan Fox, a fourth-year Sport Management student from Okotoks, Alta., hoists the Steel Blade trophy surrounded by teammates following the Badgers’ 5-1 victory at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines on Friday, Sept. 18.

Guelph opened the scoring before Cole Cooksey, a first-year Brock Business student from Toronto, scored his first of two goals to tie the game. Alexis Cournoyer, Ryan Johnstone and captain Nathan Fox also found the back of the net to lift the Badgers to victory.

The evening was a true celebration of sport, with Brock Badgers teams from beyond the ice being honoured during the game’s intermissions.

Fans cheered as the Brock women’s volleyball team, which captured the first national medal in program history with a bronze-medal finish at the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, were celebrated on the ice.

The Badgers’ wrestling programs were also lauded for their successes this past season, with the women’s team capturing its 24th overall and 11th consecutive Ontario University Athletics (OUA) title, and the men’s team claiming its 27th OUA championship, ninth straight, along with its 23rd U SPORTS national title.

The night also highlighted Brock’s commitment to supporting students beyond varsity sports, with the Brock University Students’ Association (BUSU) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) recognizing a Food First donation of $679 made on behalf of the University.

The Steel Blade trophy itself carries a long history. Donated by the Werner family, the trophy features an 1803 non-commissioned officer’s hanger, a type of sword carried by artillery units during the War of 1812.

Following the game, Krist and Martin Werner presented the trophy to the Badgers, continuing a tradition his father, Ed Werner, helped establish more than two decades ago in support of Brock hockey.