Third-year forward Amy Locke netted the first hat trick of her career on Friday night (Jan. 22) to lead the York University Lions women's hockey team to a 5-1 victory over the Ryerson Rams at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.
 
Locke (Toronto) opened the game's scoring on a power play less than four minutes into the first period and added another two goals in the third as part of her tremendous offensive performance. The win is the Lions' seventh overall and third in regulation this season, and the squad is currently 3-4-7-2 and seated in ninth place in the OUA standings.
 
In the first period the Lions were able to score two goals to start the game off strong. Locke was first to be added to the scoreboard after receiving the puck from Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.) off of a power play at 3:58. Then at 18:32 Stephanie Dovaston (Unionville, Ont.) increased the damage to 2-0 with the help of Erin Locke (Toronto) and Tegan Duncan (Oakville, Ont.).
 
The Rams' Emma Rutherford had the only goal of the second period and gave her team hope as she made it 2-1. At 1:58 Laura Ball and Kayla Karbonik passed her the puck and were given the assists.
 
In the third period, however, the Lions were able to put the game to rest with three goals scored just seven minutes apart. At 4:24 Locke collected her second goal of the game, then at 11:23 she added a third goal. She had the help of Chelsea Tucker (Alliston, Ont.) and Rianna Langford (Collingwood, Ont.) on both opportunities.
 
Erran Lee (Madoc, Ont.) also added her name to the board at 5:44, while Lauren Cavarzan (Hamilton, Ont.) and Barbara were credited with the assists.
 
Defending the net, Lions goaltender Megan Lee (Orillia, Ont.) made 12 saves while Rams goaltender Ally Sarna made 32.
 
The Lions now have a week's rest before they gear up to take on the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night (Jan. 29). Puck drop will be at 7pm in North Bay, Ont.