The York University Lions women's hockey team is still not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but from a realistic standpoint, they know the season is about to come to a close. 

With that in mind, they shift their focus to finishing this season strong and peering an eye to next season, one they hope will be a step forward for the program after a difficult last two seasons following a McCaw Cup appearance in 2019-20.

That goal to finish 2022-23 on the right foot continues this weekend with a pair of games. First, it's the TMU Bold returning to Canlan a month after one of the most exhilarating wins of the season for the Lions. They took a 4-3 overtime win over TMU back on Jan. 12, with Ava Ricker-Singh playing hero 3:39 into the extra session. The Bold are looking to solidify their playoff position, currently sitting five points up on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks for the final spot in the OUA East.

Then, the next night, the Lions make the trek West to face the Guelph Gryphons for the second and final time this season. Their only other meeting ended in a 4-0 Gryphons victory back on Jan. 28. Guelph is four points behind the Waterloo Warriors in the OUA West standings with three games remaining.

The Matchups: 

Feb. 10: York (5-16-2-0) vs. TMU (8-10-1-4)

Feb. 11: York (5-16-2-0) vs. Guelph (12-4-3-5)

Game Details:

Fri., Feb. 10 vs. TMU (7:15 pm – OUA.tv)

Sat., Feb 11 at Guelph (7:30 pm – OUA.tv

Current Streaks:

York – Won 1

TMU – Lost 1

Guelph – Won 1

Quick Facts

York:

• In their weekend home-and-home vs. Queen's the Lions scored 3+ goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
• The Lions have allowed just one shorthanded goal against this season.

TMU: 

• The Bold have the most overtime losses in the OUA (4).
• TMU has the fourth-most road power play goals in the OUA (7).

Guelph:

• The Gryphons power play is the third-worst on home ice in the OUA (5.6%).
• Guelph's goal differential is fourth-best in the conference (+14).

Lions to Watch:

#15 BROOKE ANDERSON: Fifth-year forward… Scored three goals in the Lions split last weekend with the Queen's Gaels… Was named York female athlete of the week for the period ending Feb. 5 for her efforts… She vaulted back on top of the Lions goal-scoring race as a result, now up to seven and leading by two over Sydney Paulson and Jenn Shaw… Is one of five Lions graduating from the program this season.

#18 JILLIAN MILLIGAN: First-year defender… Moved back alone in third Lions scoring with a beautiful end-to-end goal which ended in a snap shot over the shoulder of the Queen's goaltender on Saturday night… Has shown an offensive upside on a Lion team that has desperately struggled to score… She'll be someone to keep an eye on for the balance of this season and into the future as she matures into an even bigger part of the Lions defence corps.