The York University Lions women's hockey team opened the home portion of their 2023-24 schedule Friday night at Canlan Ice Sports. The opponent: their most hated rival, the Toronto Varsity Blues.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Varsity Blues were intent on spoiling the Lions party from the early going. Lions goaltender Emma Wedgewood, however, had other ideas, making several key saves, including one on a breakaway. She also got some help from her best friend – the goal post – and the game was scoreless after one.
- After carrying the run of play in the opening frame, the Toronto was finally rewarded on a lucky one after Wedgewood turned over a puck while out to play it. Emma Elders took advantage, scoring her second of the season to make it 1-0.
- Just over three minutes later, they doubled the lead after a 2-on-1 was finished off by Kaitlyn McKnight thanks to a pretty setup from Nikki McDonald. That made it 2-0 Varsity Blues.
- Then, with just over 5:00 to go in the second, a Taylor Delahey pass went in off the skate of her sister Ashley and in to make it 3-0 Blues after two.
- About halfway through the third, Ava Ricker-Singh sprung Jillian Milligan on a breakaway, and she made no mistake to get York on the board, down 3-1.
- Despite getting a power-play and some chances to trim the lead in the latter half of the frame, the Lions couldn't solve goaltender Erica Fryer any further, and fell 3-1.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will look for their first win of the season Saturday night when they host the Brock Badgers. Puck drop from Canlan Ice Sports is scheduled for 7:15 pm.
