The red hot York University Lions men's hockey team used a dominant second period to defeat the visiting UOIT Ridgebacks by a score of 2-1 on Saturday night and win its second game in a row at Canlan Ice Sports.
 
The win gives the Lions two wins this weekend after knocking off the No. 3 nationally-ranked Queen's Gaels on Friday. The Lions continue to sit in the second spot in the OUA West standings with a record of 15-6-2.
 
The opening period of play did not provide much excitement for the clamoring York fans that piled into the stands at Canlan Ice Sports for the #BellLetsTalk game brought out many fans in support of their fellow athletes and mental health awareness. But the Ridgebacks' Connor Jarvis struck first with his goal at 11:13. This would be the only recorded score for either team in the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The second period was all York. With bodies flying every few seconds, the Lions found their energy through their consistent physical play. Bryce Milson (Miramichi, N.B.) finally tied the game up at 13:05 with a shot from the point off of a loose rebound. The assists were credited to Steven Janes (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Dexter Bricker (Saskatoon, Sask.).
 
Just four minutes later Kyle Campbell (Halifax) scored the tiebreaker, as well as the game winner, when he skated across the blue line and nailed a shot top corner from the top of the circle. As the siren sounded the whole crowed erupted into thunderous applause.
 
With a one-goal lead in hand the Lions would just need to close out the final 23 minutes of the game and they did just that thanks to some strong play by starting goaltender Mack Shields (Saskatoon, Sask.). In the dying seconds of the third period the Ridgebacks nearly tied it but Shields gloved a point-blank slap shot to preserve the win.
 
The Lions' next game will take place on Friday when the Lakehead Thunderwolves host them in Thunder Bay, Ont., as part of a weekend doubleheader between the two teams.