The annual Women’s Ivey vs. Engineering Hockey Game brought intense competition and electrifying energy to the rink, showcasing a fierce rivalry, unmatched school spirit, and a shared commitment to making a difference. This year marked the first time the event was held at the Canada Life Place, home of the London Knights, providing a professional arena setting that elevated the game to new heights. From the opening faceoff to the final buzzer, the event was a battle of determination, skill, and pride, leaving attendees buzzing with excitement.
This year, all proceeds were dedicated to the Canadian Cancer Society, specifically supporting a local London researcher. Madison Flood, the team captain and game commissioner, emphasized the importance of supporting local initiatives: “It’s not just about hockey; it’s about giving back in a meaningful way.”
The event saw impressive support from the Western community, raising significant funds and drawing a large crowd of enthusiastic attendees. With the men’s basketball game raising $13,000 earlier this year, the women’s hockey game embraced the challenge of surpassing this benchmark, further highlighting the Western community's dedication to impactful causes.
The Ivey vs. Engineering rivalry has long been a cornerstone of student life at Western, with both faculties fully embracing the intense competition. Madison reflected on the dynamic, calling it “culty faculties pitted against each other,” highlighting the close-knit and spirited nature of the games. This isn’t just friendly competition—students on both sides take it seriously, with pride and bragging rights on the line.
The women’s hockey game began three years ago when a group of female hockey players at Ivey noticed the glaring absence of a women’s match. “It was weird not to have a women’s game,” Madison explained. Determined to fill the gap, they organized the first match informally, without tickets or much fanfare. Last year, the game grew significantly, featuring formal tryouts, practices, and a sold-out crowd at the Rec Center. This year’s move to Canada Life Place marked yet another major milestone.
“This is the time to build,” Madison said. With the momentum behind it, hopes are high that the game will continue to grow in scale and prominence, cementing its place as a key event at Western.
Beyond the game itself, the event plays a pivotal role in the Ivey Cup, a year-long competition where sections vie for supremacy through attendance, creativity, and spirit. “It’s like the house cup in Harry Potter,” Madison explained, emphasizing how the Ivey Cup fosters camaraderie and pride within the school. Every event, including the Women’s Ivey vs. Engineering Hockey Game, offers opportunities for sections to earn valuable points, making participation all the more competitive.
One of the key ways sections competed this year was by selling tickets to the game. “Sections compete for the mostnumber of tickets sold to get Ivey Cup points,” Madison shared, underscoring how the stakes extended beyond the rink. With sections rallying their members and encouraging turnout, the game became a true community effort, uniting students in their shared goal of supporting both the hockey team and their section.
Madison reminisced about her first year participating in the Ivey Cup: “Our section brought these massive posters. The energy was unreal—it was such a fun way to feel connected to Ivey.” This year, the tradition continued with sections unleashing their creativity through vibrant signs and chants, creating an electric atmosphere in the arena. The competition wasn’t just on the ice; it lived in the stands as students cheered relentlessly, showing their pride and support for their teams.
Whether through ticket sales, poster designs, or strong turnout, the Ivey Cup ensured that the hockey game was more than just a sporting event—it was a moment of unity and rivalry that brought out the best in the Ivey community.
Although still a relatively new tradition, the women’s hockey game has quickly become a highlight for the Western community. The pre-game carbo-load buffet, where players and coaches share homemade pasta dishes, has become a cherished tradition. This year, players added their own flair, advocating for neon green tape to make their on-ice presence even more eye-catching.
The game itself delivered thrilling action from start to finish. Engineering struck first in the opening period, taking a 1–0 lead after capitalizing on a breakaway. Ivey responded with relentless pressure, creating numerous scoring chances but finding themselves stonewalled by strong goaltending through the second period.
The intermission kept the energy alive with crowd-pleasing music selections, including Mr. Brightside by The Killers and Lose Yourself by Eminem. When the players returned to the ice for the third period, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.
Engineering extended their lead early in the third, but Ivey fought back with grit and determination. Pulling their goalie with just over four minutes left, Ivey finally broke through when #16 Claire Doris buried a rebound goal, cutting the deficit to 2–1. The Ivey section erupted, showing their unwavering support. The Women’s Ivey vs. Engineering Hockey Game is more than just a rivalry—it’s a fierce competition that fuels school pride and showcases the relentless determination of both faculties. This year’s game ended in a heartbreaking 3–1 loss for Ivey, a result that stung for players and fans alike. The disappointment only adds fuel to the fire, with Ivey already looking ahead to next year’s rematch, ready to bring even more energy and strategy to the ice.
Despite Ivey’s best efforts, including a final push with the goalie pulled again, Engineering held firm and sealed a 3–1 victory with an empty-net goal in the dying seconds. The teams exchanged handshakes in a show of sportsmanship, while the crowd acknowledged the incredible effort from both sides. Until then, we’ll keep the momentum going—next up, the Men’s Ivey vs. Engineering Hockey Game. Let’s pack the stands, bring the energy, and show what Ivey pride is all about. Go Ivey!