The York University Lions men's hockey team erased a two-goal deficit but ultimately fell in overtime by a 4-3 score to the Guelph Gryphons at Canlan Ice Sports on Friday night.

The first period started active with both teams going full tilt to the net and creating a lot of good chances. It was the Gryphons who got on the scoreboard first with a wrister from Mikkel Aagaard. Later in the period, the Lions gained a power play and were looking to use the extra man to their advantage but could not capitalize.
 
The Lions continued to create chances but they couldn't get past Guelph goaltender Andrew Masters. The Gryphons were on the offensive break and had a great shot on net, but Lions goalie Cole Ceci was able to keep them at bay.
 
The Lions offence started to pick up during the end of the first period and they were finally rewarded for their efforts. Peter De Coppi scored the game-tying goal, assisted by Nik Coric and Brendan Browne.
 
The Gryphons came out strong in the second as they scored their second goal from Ryan Valentini just 1:05 in, giving them a 2-1 lead.
 
The deficit didn't keep the Lions down as they continued to have strong offensive chances. Of note, Nik Malenica had a fantastic opportunity, but it just went wide.
 
Halfway through the period, the Gryphons gained a penalty shot from player interference but was immobilized from Ceci, keeping it a 2-1 game for the Gryphons. When the Lions were getting their rhythm going, a deflected goal from Ted Nichol at 14:13 extended the Gryphons lead 3-1. The Lions quickly came back with a two-on-one with Morgan Messenger putting the puck in the back of the net in the final five minutes of the period, ending it 3-2.
 
The third period was underway, and both teams had slowed their momentum to start, but the Lions began to pick up their pace as they were getting great shots on target. The active offensive attacks paid off as they scored the equalizing goal in the from Justin Bean at the 7:13 mark.
 
Tensions were beginning to build as the Lions began to creep closer to a game winner. The Lions were in the Gryphons end and were looking to add another goal but could not do so before the final whistle.
 
Guelph's Connor Bramwell gave his team the win just 40 seconds into the extra period.
 
The Lions aim to get back into the win column when they play their next game on Wednesday at home against the same Badgers at 7pm.