Returning to the ice is natural but foreign at the same time for members of the Lancer women’s hockey team, says head coach Deanna Iwanicka.

“There is nervousness around if we forgot something or not knowing what we forgot,” Iwanicka says. “It’s about making sure we are doing all the things that we routinely did prior to the pandemic but it is also exciting in a lot of ways.”

Her players will face off against the Brock Badgers at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex to open the season on Friday, Nov. 5. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The squads will play a rematch at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6.

Tickets can be purchased at goLancers.ca/tickets; fans can watch both games live at OUA.tv.

Read a preview of the season by Mia Ines at goLancers.ca.

In other varsity action:

Cross country runners will compete in the Ontario University Athletics championship meet in London on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Men’s volleyball will open its regular season Saturday, hosting the McMaster Marauders in the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse at 3 p.m. The match will be webcast live by OUA.tv.

Men’s hockey will host the Western Mustangs at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; catch the action on OUA.tv.

Women’s and men’s basketball will be on the road for a doubleheader against the Guelph Gryphons. The women tip off at 2 p.m. and the men at 4 p.m. Both games will be carried on OUA.tv.