The No. 10 nationally ranked York University Lions women's hockey team was on fire on Friday night as they beat the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 4-2 during an electric game at Canlan Ice Sports.
 
The crowd cheered the Lions throughout the entire game as supportive Lions and fellow parents – several from Winnipeg – came out to watch the game.
 
The first period was off to a deceiving start as the Ridgebacks scored just eight seconds into the game. It almost took the Lions until the end of the first period to respond with a goal of their own, courtesy of assistant captain Kelsey McHolm with assists from Ellen Donaldson and Leah Hibbert.
 
The Lions and the Ridgebacks ended the first period tied 1-1.
 
The Lions brought the energy from the last minutes of the first period into the second as they were able to secure two additional goals. Courtney Gardiner scored an unassisted shorthanded goal, which was followed by a one from third-year forward Tayler Murphy. Murphy's goal was assisted by team captain Erin Locke and forward Becky Higgs.
 
The Lions finished the second period with a 3-1 lead.
 
In the final period of the game, the Lions, who were able to fire 28 shots to the Ridgebacks' 14 throughout the entire game, were able to get another goal in in the final period. Higgs', who had previously assisted a goal in the second, was able to secure one of her own and brought the score to a temporary 4-1 lead for the Lions.
 
With three minutes remaining, Ontario Tech grabbed a second goal, however, it wasn't enough to beat the Lions who took the game with a standing ovation from the cheering crowd.
 
The Lions are now 2-1 and will be taking on the Queen's Gaels back at Canlan Ice Sports tomorrow night. Puck drop is at 7:15 pm.