City of Toronto rivals the No. 9 nationally ranked York University Lions women's hockey team and the No. 4 Toronto Varsity Blues will face off in a battle for first place in the OUA standings on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Match-up: No. 9 York (10-4-0-1) vs. No. 4 Toronto (9-3-1-1)
 
Game Details
Saturday, Jan. 11 @ 2:15pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 6-2 at home
Toronto – 3-4 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Won 3
Toronto – Lost 1
 
Last Meetings
The Blues won the previous meeting between these two squads in the regular season, a 2-0 shutout victory on their home ice in November. The teams also faced off in an exhibition game during the pre-season that ended in a 3-1 win for the Lions.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions picked up a 2-0 victory over Waterloo in their lone contest last weekend to kick off 2020, marking their third straight win.
• All four of their losses came in a row in mid November but they've rebounded since to climb back atop the OUA standings.
• The Lions have been strong on offence and defence this season and rank third in the OUA in both goals scored (2.8) and goals against (1.88). The squad also ranks in the top five in power play percentage (13.8%) and penalty killing (89%).
• The Lions have been in the national rankings for most of the season and are currently at No. 9. They have been as high as No. 7 earlier this year.
• Following Saturday's game, the Lions will be on the road for three straight over the next two weeks, with trips to Oshawa, Kingston and Guelph.

 
Toronto

• The Blues won their first seven contests but have since won only three of seven, including a 3-0 shutout defeat to Guelph last Sunday on the road.
• Despite their glowing record, the Blues have struggled on the road and are under .500 away from home, with all four of their losses coming in opposing rinks. They are a perfect 7-0 on home ice.
• The Blues have the stingiest defence in the OUA, allowing only 1.34 goals per game. Their offence ranks seventh with 2.07 goals per game.
• Like the Lions, the Blues have spent the season in the national rankings and currently sit at No. 4.
• Prior to facing the Lions on Saturday, the Blues will host the Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday night at Varsity Arena.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
G Lauren Dubie – Has three shutouts in nine games this season, including last week against Waterloo. She is tied for fifth in the OUA with six wins and is sixth with a 1.79 goals against average.
 
D Taylor Davison – Leads all defenders in the OUA with 14 points in 15 games. Her 10 assists are three better than any other blueliner in the conference and she is one of only two players among all skaters to record a hat trick.
 
Toronto
 
G Madeline Albert – The former OUA all-rookie team member leads the OUA in save percentage (.968) and goals against average (0.73). She has allowed just four goals in six games, recording three shutouts.
 
F Natasha Athanasakos – The team's leading scorer is tied for 16^th in the OUA with 10 points (four goals, six assists). She has scored once on the power play and has one game-winning goal.