Season Overview
The 2026‑27 campaign marks the fourth year that the SUNY Canton women's hockey program has competed in the SUNY Athletic Conference, and it comes with a full 25‑game regular season that blends home and away contests. Fourteen of those games will be played on the familiar ice of Terry Martin Arena, giving the Raiders a solid home‑court advantage as they chase a third consecutive berth in the SUNYAC Tournament.
Early Matchups
The opening weekend pits the team against two of the conference’s recent powerhouses. A home matchup with Nazareth, the 27‑2‑1 squad that reached the national championship game last season, follows by a contest with Elmira, a 20‑6‑2 team that earned a spot in a national quarterfinal. Both opponents bring a high‑caliber pedigree that will test the Raiders early in the schedule.
Road Swing and Home Opener
After the early tests, the Raiders embark on a brief MCLA road trip before traveling to Buffalo State and William Smith for league battles that will challenge their depth. The first home game of the conference slate arrives on November 20 against Plattsburgh, with a follow‑up against Potsdam the next night, while a Tuesday before Thanksgiving sees the team host Utica at Terry Martin Arena.
Late Season and Tournament Outlook
Later in the semester the Raiders will host a series of home games against Oswego, Cortland, Morrisville, William Smith and Buffalo State, while road trips to Morrisville, Cortland, Oswego, Potsdam and Plattsburgh will test their resilience on the road. The season culminates with a home‑and‑home series against St. John Fisher in early December, a matchup that could prove decisive for seeding heading into the tournament. The tournament itself is slated for late February, with first‑round games on February 24, semifinals on February 27 and the championship on March 6; the champion earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.