It's the last hurrah for the York University Lions women's hockey team, and they'll look to head into the offseason with a couple more wins next to their name.
 
It's been a trying season for the Lions, a young team looking to build for the future. However, it hasn't been all bad. They have earned seven victories, and, if they get at least one more this weekend, can double their win output from last season (4).
 
They have a good chance to do so, against a pair of teams at the bottom of their divisions. First, it's the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks who roll into Canlan Ice Sports. Despite a 9-15-0-1 record, the Ridegacks have been a thorn in the side of the Lions. That is particularly true of goalie Zoe McGee, who has posted both her shutouts on the season against York.
 
The Ontario Tech game is the finale of the home schedule for the Lions, and with that comes the annual grad game. The Lions will be saying goodbye to five players, including captain Brooke Anderson, goalies Julianna Thomson and Serena Vilde, and defenders Ilena Ricker-Singh and Julia McLennan.
 
The Lions then wrap up their season Saturday night in St. Catharines against the Brock Badgers. Brock, stationed second from the bottom of the OUA West with a 7-11-3-4 record, will look to salvage a split in the season series with the Lions. York blanked Brock 3-0 on Nov. 13 at Canlan.
 
The Matchups:
Feb. 17: York (5-18-2-0) vs. Ontario Tech (9-15-1-0)
Feb. 18: York (5-18-2-0) vs. Brock (7-11-3-4)
 
Game Details:
Fri., Feb. 17 vs. Ontario Tech (7:15 pm – OUA.tv)
Sat., Feb. 18 at Brock (7:00 pm – OUA.tv)
 
Current Streaks:
York – Lost 2
Ontario Tech – Lost 1
Brock – Won 1
 
Quick Facts
 
York: 

• The Lions have allowed two or fewer goals in six of their seven wins (4-3 OTW vs. TMU – Jan. 12)
• York has not won consecutive games this season.

Ont. Tech:

• The Ridgebacks have the best road power play in the OUA (34.6%).
• Ontario Tech has not lost a game that went beyond regulation this season.

Brock:

• The Badgers have the second-fewest home power play goals in the OUA (3).
• Brock is sixth in the OUA in penalty killing (84.6%)

Lions to Watch:
 
#1 JULIANNA THOMSON: Third-year goaltender… One of the five graduating players for the Lions…. Has set a career high in wins with four…. Has a record of 4-6-0 in 11 games with a 2.85 goals against average and an .898 save percentage… Has a shutout in each of her three OUA seasons… Earned the clean sheet against Brock on Nov. 13.

#27 JULIA MCLENNAN: Fourth-year defender… Another of this year's Lions graduates… Has been the anchor of the Lions defence corps for the last several seasons… Scored her only OUA goal on Jan. 31, 2020 against the Nipissing Lakers… Has set a career high in penalty minutes this season (26).