The No. 10 nationally-ranked York University Lions men's hockey team began its OUA title defence with a 3-2 victory over the Windsor Lancers in their season opener on Friday night at Canlan Ice Sports.
 
In a rematch of last year's conference final, which the Lions won in three games, they were again the better team but had to work for it down the stretch after a dominant first period.
 
Just over 10 minutes into the first period the Lions already led 3-0 after goals by Kegan Blasby, Trevor Petersen and Reid Jackman. Jackman's goal chased Windsor starting goaltender Blake Richard after he allowed three goals on 11 shots, and Jonathan Reinhart came into the game in relief.
 
The pace slowed for the remainder of the first period and the score was still 3-0 in favour of the home team at the first intermission.
 
The goalie change seemed to have sparked the Lancers as they came out flying in the second period, outshooting the Lions 16-11 and scoring the lone goal of the period, at 6:38 off the stick of Jake Brown. The momentum continued in Windsor's favour in the third period, and team captain Blake Blondeel found the back of the net at 12:02 to make the score 3-2.
 
The Lancers pulled Reinhart late in the frame for the extra attacker and Kyle Campbell was called for holding with 10 seconds remaining, but on the ensuing draw the Lions cleared the puck out of their zone and time expired before Windsor could bring it back in.
 
Reinhart finished with 18 saves while stopping every shot he faced. York goalie Mack Shields, the reigning OUA West first-team all-star and rookie of the year, picked up where he left off last season in making 36 saves on the 38 shots he faced.
 
The Lions will continue their season-opening weekend on the road in St. Catharines, Ont., on Saturday evening with a game against the Brock Badgers beginning at 7:15pm. The Badgers were responsible for two of York's six regulation losses last year.