In what was a thriller of a mid-season finale, the York University Lions women's hockey team defeated the No. 7 nationally ranked Nipissing Lakers 6-3 at home on Saturday night in front of a packed crowd during the Annual Varsity Holiday Social.

The Lions vibrant presence was most evident in the final period of the game when there were a total of six goals scored between both the Lions and the Lakers. The Lions were leading 2-1 by the beginning of the frame before both teams loaded up on the offensive ends.

York's Becky Higgs started off the third with a goal assisted by Kelsey McHolm and Tayler Murphy, which brought the Lions to a comfortable 3-1 lead. The following three goals were back-and-forths between the Lions and the Lakers, all within seven minutes of each other. Nipissing's Marilyn Fortin scored the Lakers' second goal while York was down one player during a power play. York's Erin Locke then responded with a goal of her own, which was assisted by Kara Washer and Julia McLennan. The Lakers then scored to bring the scoring to a temporary 4-3 lead for the home team.

The Lakers removed their goaltender with minutes remaining in the third to try to tie the game. However, at 17:14, York's Brooke Anderson scored on an empty net, assisted by Sarah Power.
The crowd cheered on the Lions much to the dismay of the visiting team. Just over a minute following York's fifth goal, the Lions were able to get another empty-netter – McHolm outskated the Lakers defence for the Lions sixth goal assisted by Caroline Eagles and Taylor Davison.

Earlier in the game, the first ended nil-nil for both teams, while the second saw a bout of motivation from the Lions and Lakers who were able to find themselves on the scoreboard. The Lions scored their two goals within 34 seconds of each other. McHolm opened the scoring on a power play assisted by Washer and Anderson, followed by a goal from Madison Davey, assisted by Ellen Donaldson and Taylor Davison. The Lakers finally found themselves on the board after finding the back of the net, but the Lions finished the period leading 2-1 before the goal-packed third.

As a result, the Lions collected their ninth win of the season placing them atop the OUA standings with 28 points on the season.

The Lions will look to carry their momentum into the new year as they take on the Waterloo Warriors on Jan. 4 at 2:30pm in Waterloo, Ont.