The York University Lions women's hockey team enters their final weekend of 2023 hockey with two more home match-ups against the Guelph Gryphons and Western Mustangs. Coming off a two loss weekend, the Lions are focused on rebounding as they head into their break.
The Lions were in Oshawa on Thursday night to face the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, the team occupying the spot once above the Lions. The first period was scoreless, with York leading 9-5 on shots and looking confident. Nicole York opened the second period with her first career OUA goal for the Lions to take the lead, but the Ridgebacks equalized on a power play seven minutes later. Entering the third tied 1-1, Ontario Tech got the go ahead goal 1:18 into the frame, and kept the Lions off the board to take a 2-1 victory on the night.
Back to Canaan Ice Sport on Saturday to face the TMU Bold, the Lions were in front of a large home crowd. The game was high intensity from the opening draw and the pace kept up for the full 60 minutes. Both teams had promising offensive chances but the defensive game from both sides was even stronger. Emma Wedgewood was the outstanding Lion of the game making critical saves to keep the score locked at 0-0 for two periods. With 5:38 left on the clock, TMU got the leading goal, before adding an empty net goal to finalize a 2-0 win.
The Match-ups:
Dec. 1 York (4-8) vs. Guelph Gryphons (10-3)
Dec. 2 York (4-8) vs. Western Mustangs (6-6)
Game Details:
Fri., Dec. 1 vs Guelph (7:15 pm OUA.tv)
Sat., Dec. 2 vs Western (7:15 pm OUA.tv)
Current Streaks:
York - Loss 2
Guelph - Won 2
Western - Loss 1
Quick Facts:
York:
- The Lions lead the OUA with 4 short-handed goals
- Sara McLennan is tied for 1st among OUA defence with 1 game winning goal
Guelph:
- Hannah Tait is 2nd in the OUA in goals (7)
- The Gryphons lead the OUA with 12 goals against
Western:
- The Mustangs penalty kill % is 2nd in the conference (95.8%)
- Kennedy Ward leads the OUA with 22 PIM
Lions to Watch:
#14 ALEXA GIANTSOPOULOS: Second-year forward... Playing in 12 games this season for the Lions, she has 5 points on 1 goal and 4 assists, sitting in 29th in the OUA in assists... She had her first multi-point night of the season on Nov. 18 against Waterloo when she tallied 2 assists to help the Lions in their 6-3 victory... She is a strong worker on the ice and in her second-year has been a top performer in the red and white.
#15 NICOLE YORK: First-year forward... After making her first OUA appearance on Nov. 3 against Waterloo in the red and white, she recorded her first OUA career goal on Nov. 23 at Ontario Tech in the Lions 2-1 loss... She is a young skilled player on the blue line for the Lions, and standing at 5'11", she uses her size to her advantage in front of the goal.
