A third-period marker by Ayden MacDonald proved to be the difference maker as the York University Lions men's hockey team became the last OUA West division team to lose a game in regulation. They did it in a close 2-1 contest at York's home opener at Canlan Ice Sports.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a first period full of power plays but void of scoring, the Lions got on the board first in the early stages of the second frame. Lucas Breault displayed tremendous patience, pulling Brock netminder Mario Culina out of his net by holding the puck and tucking it in on the short side for his first of the year.
• The lead would be short-lived, however, as Brock got on the board moments later on the power play, after York took a too many players penalty. Caleb Boman wired a shot from the left point over Brendan Bonello's shoulder to tie the game.
• The Lions appeared to have the go-ahead goal just 2:44 into the third, but Culina kicked the net off just as the York attacker was poking the puck into the open net. The result was a minor penalty for delay of game to the Brock goaltender.
• Later in the third, Ayden MacDonald potted the game-winning goal for Brock on a net-mouth scramble, poking it past Bonello at 10:31 of the third. That stood as the game-winner.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
 
"We're going to play games like this all year in our division. Everyone is a good team. We just have to learn how to win these types of games. They made some key plays in the last two games which allowed them to get the points. It's a process of learning how to win." — Head coach Russ Herrington  
 
NOTABLE NUMBERS

• Bonello's 32 saves was the second highest total on the season for a Lions netminder, after his 38 saves in a Nov. 5 contest at Lakehead. His .959 save percentage is the best on the Lions – Herrington said he gave his team an opportunity to take points away from the contest.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Lions will get familiar with their next opponents, beginning with a home contest against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday, Nov. 27. It starts a three-game stint against their cross-town rivals – but the next two games will take place after the holiday break in early January.