The York University Lions men's hockey team achieved a 5-2 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks on Saturday (Jan. 10) at Canlan Ice Sports for its second straight victory to start the new year.
 
An early goal by the Lions shocked the visitors, who pressured offensively early in the period. Michael Santini (Woodbridge, Ont.) retrieved the puck from his own end and skated all the way to the opposition's ice. Santini showed good skill controlling the puck past defenders and driving the shot home at 1:26. Connor Hale (Whitby, Ont.) and Derek Sheppard (Ajax, Ont.) were credited with the assists.
 
Confusion at the Ridgebacks' defence led to another Lions goal in the middle of the frame. Adam Logozzo (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Sheppard took advantage of the disorder and intercepted the play at centre ice. Rookie forward Reid Jackman (Etobicoke, Ont.) clinically finished the play from an accurate pass by Sheppard.
 
The Ridgebacks conceded a third from a Lions power play. Tyler McGee (Timmins, Ont.) shot past goalie Brendan O'Neill for his third goal of the season. Shayne Rover (Newmarket, Ont.) made the pass that led to the goal.
 
The Lions carried their 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
At the start of the second period, both teams were equally matched. The Ridgebacks suffered from another power play goal by the Lions at 14:47. Rover released a powerful shot from distance that hit the top of the bar and into the net. Santini and Mitch VanTeeling (Brandon, Man.) supported the play.
 
Less than two minutes later, York goaltender Chris Perugini (King City, Ont.) deflected a shot by the Ridgebacks' Jordon Ramsay, but James Woodcroft was there to sabotage Perugini's shutout bid by tapping the puck into the next and putting UOIT on the board, at 4-1.
 
The Lions responded with a fifth goal through rookie forward Greg Milner (Watford, Ont.). Under a minute left towards the second intermission, Kyle Campbell (Halifax, N. S.) and Rover challenged the visitors' defence before Milner found the net with 25 seconds left on the clock.
 
Milner's goal made the score 5-1 in favour of the home team heading into the final frame.
 
A relentless Ridgebacks team continued to push forward. Woodcroft recorded his second goal of the night just one minute into the third period after pressuring Perugini heavily.
 
Milner had another chance on target towards the final buzzer but his shot was blocked by several defenders diving in.
 
The victory improved the Lions' record to 8-10-1 on the year and they are seventh in the OUA West standings with 17 points. UOIT now has the same record as the Lions and also sit seventh in the OUA East.
 
The Lions will be in London, Ont., to face the Western Mustangs on Friday (Jan. 16) at 7pm in their next contest.
 

Make it two in a row with a big win over UOIT tonight! ???? yorku lionpride yorklions hockey

A photo posted by York Lions (@yorkulions) on Jan 10, 2015 at 7:25pm PST