A pair of nationally ranked teams battled it out on Thursday night, as the No. 8 ranked York University Lions women's hockey team fell on the road to the No. 3 ranked Toronto Varsity Blues 2-0 at Varsity Arena.
 
The two teams came into this affair tied for first place in the OUA standings with 21 points each on the season.
 
Penalties plagued the Lions throughout the game as both Blues goals came off of power-play opportunities. Late in the first period, Blues defender Kana Headrick found herself with open ice and fired a shot left side to put her team up one.
 
With 1:04 left in the first, Lions captain Erin Locke skated effortlessly round the Blues defence slipping the puck past Toronto goaltender Erica Fryer. The goal was ultimately waived off after the referees determined the net had been knocked prior to the shot.
 
Following a York dominated second, Toronto were given some room to breathe after the Lions picked up their fifth penalty of the game midway through the third period. Receiving a pass at the point, Blues defender Gabrielle De Serres held possession and let it fly to put Toronto up two with 7:30 left in the frame.
 
The Lions outshot the Blues 11-4 in the second period, in an attempt that looked sure to put them on the board highlighted by a two-on-one opportunity from Kara Washer and Caroline Eagles on a Lions penalty kill. Washer's shot was knocked away by Fryer – the Blues netminder is ranked second in the OUA in save percentage at .953.
 
Lions goaltender Serena Vilde made 22 saves in the contest, while Fryer stopped all 24 shots faced.
 
The Lions are now tied for second place in the OUA standings with the No. 10 Nipissing Lakers and Ryerson Rams, while the Blues sit alone at the top with 24 points.
 
The Lions will return to the ice on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Rams at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at 2:15pm.