After a hard fought game on home ice, the York University men's hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime against the Ryerson Rams on Friday night (Feb. 5) at Canlan Ice Arena.
 
The Rams Brandon Devlin was the hero of the night, scoring the game-winning goal on the power play at 0:33 with Kyle Blanely and Michael Fine assisting on the winner. Despite the loss the Lions remain at the top of the OUA West standings, while the Rams hold the seventh position.
 
In the first period the Rams were able to gain a two-goal lead with goals from Marcus Hinds and Brian Birkhoff, and two assists each from Fine and Jamie Lewis. Hinds scored at 11:20 while Birkhoff scored a late goal at 18:51.
 
In the second period both teams continued to play fast-paced hockey as the puck slipped up and down the ice. The Rams held the majority of possession while the Lions tried to narrow the score with multiple counter attacks.
 
Despite the relentless amount of pressure the Rams put on Lions goaltender Chris Perugini (King City, Ont.), he did an impeccable job to keep the score at 2-0, with several instinctive and athletic stops.
 
Eventually the Lions' offense broke through and cut the lead to one at 15:25. With the help of Justin Larson (Buckhorn, Ont.) and Shayne Rover (Newmarket, Ont.), Trevor Peterson (Thornhill, Ont.) positioned himself in front of the net and slammed the puck between the posts to give the Lions some hope heading into the second intermission.
 
In the third period the Lions were hot off the puck drop and found the equalizer early at 0:45, thanks to another goal from Peterson. Edging towards the slot he was able to slip the puck past the glove of Rams goaltender Troy Passingham to make it 2-2.
 
At 5:19 however, the Rams put themselves back in the lead with a go ahead goal from Hinds. Kevin Cutting and Lewis were given the assists. 
 
The Lions had a few promising chances throughout the period, including opportunities from Connor Hale (Whitby, Ont.) and Reid Jackman (Etobicoke, Ont.) who both came close with shots off the post, but it was Rover that was able to even the score.
 
Receiving the puck from Tyler Mort (Keswick, Ont.) towards the end of the period, Rover slid the puck between the legs of Passingham at 18:09 to force the game into overtime, where the Rams were able to capitalize off a Lions penaly called late in regulation time and end the game with a 4-3 victory.
 
The Lions have a day's rest before they return to Canlan Ice Arena on Saturday (Feb. 6) to take on the Brock Badgers at 7pm.