The York University Lions women's hockey team returns to home ice this week for a pair of games against the Guelph Gryphons on Wednesday night and their cross-town rival Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday afternoon. The game against the Gryphons takes place on Halloween night and will be the culmination of York's Sport Council Halloween for Hunger food drive. In conjunction with the women's hockey team, Sport Council has been collecting canned goods throughout the month of October with all proceeds going to the YFS Food Support Centre. The game will be the final opportunity to drop off canned goods and will also feature a varsity costume contest.
 
The Match-ups: York (1-2-0-0) vs. Guelph (2-1-1-0) and Toronto (2-1-0-1)
 
Game Details
Guelph – Wednesday, Oct. 31 @ 7pm, OUA.tv
Toronto – Saturday, Nov. 3 @ 2pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 1-0 at home
Guelph – 2-0 on the road
Toronto – 1-1 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Lost 2
Guelph – Won 2
Toronto – Lost 2
 
Last Meetings
The Gryphons had the Lions number last season winning both games the two teams played. Guelph won an early season game by a score of 4-1 on the road and then picked up a late season victory at home in overtime by a score of 4-3.  
 
The Lions lost a lopsided 7-0 game against the Blues in their second game of last season but returned the favour in the second-last game of the season winning 3-1. York also picked up two pre-season victories against their city rivals winning by scores of 2-1 and 3-2.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions lost both of their contests last weekend by one goal, falling 1-0 to the Queen's Gaels on Friday and 2-1 to the UOIT Ridgebacks on Saturday.
• Through the first three games of the season, the Lions have scored a total of three goals and given up a total of four.
• York has yet to give up a power play goal this season as they've gone eight for eight on the penalty kill.
• The Lions are ranked second in the OUA in save percentage at .949 in three games this season.
• The two games at home this weekend are the first two of four home games in a row for the Lions.

 
Guelph

• The Gryphons have been one of the premiere teams in the OUA the last few seasons winning championships in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
• Guelph's offense has been clicking so far this season, scoring 2.75 goals per game which ranks fourth in the OUA
• The Gryphons have also been solid defensively with a 1.76 goals against average and .940 save percentage, good for fourth and third respectively in the OUA.

 
Toronto

• The Varsity Blues jumped out the gates strong this season with two straight victories but have lost their last two games.
• In four games the Blues have scored 12 goals for and given up a total of nine.
• Toronto's goalies have struggled so far this season, ranking last in the OUA in save percentage at .870 and saves with 60.
• The Blues powerplay has been lethal through their first four games. They've scored six power play games and have a 28.6 power play percentage which both rank first in the OUA.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
G Lauren Dubie – The Lions starting goalie has played all three games this season and has been spectacular with a 1.36 goals against average and .949 save percentage
 
F Kelsey McHolm – Scored two goals in the Lions season opening win against the Waterloo Warriors. The goals were improbably scored 12 seconds into the first period and 12 seconds into the second period.  
 
Guelph
 
G Valerie Lamenta – Has two of the Gryphons three wins this season and comes into the game with a 1.68 goals against average and .942 save percentage.
 
F Kaitlyn Lowy – Tied for third in the OUA in the young season with four goals. She's scored in three of the Gryphons four games and tied for first in the OUA last season with 15 goals.
 
Toronto
 
D Christine Chao – The Blues senior defenseman is tied for the team lead with four points (1 goal, 3 assists). Chao has been an effective offensive defenseman in her career, scoring 43 points in 75 career games.  
 
F Stephanie Ayres – Is off to great start with two and two assists through four games. Had scored eight points in 48 career games prior to this season.