The York University men's hockey team defeated the Guelph Gryphons 4-3 in a shootout after two late goals by the Gryphons sent the game into overtime on Thursday evening at Gryphon Centre Arena in Guelph, Ont.
 
Josh LaFrance scored the lone goal during the shootout to top the Gryphons 4-3. LaFrance has been on fire this season earning 19 points, with four goals and 15 assists. Lions goaltender Mack Shields also had strong game and saved 46 shots on goal adding to his total of 491 saves this season, putting him in third place in the OUA.
 
The Gryphons scored early in the first period with a goal just under three minutes by Cody Thompson. The Lions tied the game at 17:42 on a shorthanded goal by Scott Feser who was assisted by Justin Bean. The Lions had 12 shots on goal in the first period, while the Gryphons had 15.
 
The Lions dominated the second period taking a 2-1 lead at 9:48 when Daniel Nikandrov and Scott Feser found Reid Jackman whose shot beat the Gryphons goaltender. The Lions picked up a two-goal lead nearly two minutes later with a goal by Ben Verrall assisted by Justin Maiolino and Morgan Messenger. The Lions had a total of 14 shots in the second period.
 
The Gryphons managed to tie the game with two late goals in the third period just ten seconds apart from each other. With four minutes remaining, Guelph's Scott Simmonds found the back of the net, and ten seconds later, Ryan Valentini tied the game for the Gryphons. The Gryphons had a strong third period, putting up 21 shots on goal versus 11 shots by the Lions.
 
With neither time scoring during OT, the Lions topped the Gryphons during the shootout, as LaFrance was the only player from both teams to find the back of the net.
 
The Lions are back on the road on Saturday, Jan. 12 to face the Western Mustangs in London, Ont. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.