A series split against the OUA East top ranked Lakers, the York University Lions women's hockey team sits just four points out of a playoff spot, with time to earn their way in. On the road this weekend, the Lions head out to Kingston to play a weekend series against the Queen's Gaels, the team sitting two spots ahead of York.

Puck dropped in North Bay at 7:00 pm on Friday evening in a very even game between the Lions and Lakers. Julia Cuccia secured the first goal of the evening, courtesy of her teammates Abby Hicks and Alexa Giantsopoulos and scored the long goal of the first period. The Lakers were quick to tie the game in the second, but Jenn Shaw swiftly took the lead back less than a minute later. Emma Wedgewood made some crucial saves, however Nipissing was able to even the game 2-2 before the third period. Both teams were blanked in the third, needing a game winner to be decided in overtime. A York penalty caused chaos on the ice, and the Lakers found an open lane to slot the game winner home, and win 3-2.

Braving the travel conditions, a rematch game that was supposed to be played Saturday afternoon was pushed to Sunday at Canlan Ice Sports. York again took the first period lead off a Lakers turnover, that allowed Julianna Duma to trail down the ice, beating Chantel Sandquist to enter the second leading 1-0. In similar fashion to the night before, the Lakers scored the tying goal at the start of the second finding the rebound off a Wedgewood save. Kaitlin Teixeira grabbed the lead back after her missile from the point beat Sandquist and the Lions lead into the third 2-1. Jillian Milligan added to the York lead in the third, and an outstanding performance from Wedgewood solidified the lions 3-1 win over the top ranked Lakers.

The Match-up:

Jan. 20 York (5-13) vs. Queen's Gaels (9-10)
Jan. 21 York (5-13) vs. Queen's Gaels (9-10)

Game Details:

Sat., Jan. 20 @ Queen's (7:30 pm OUA.tv)
Sun., Jan. 21 @ Queen's (2:30 pm OUA.tv)

Current Streaks:

York - Won 1

Queen's - Loss 1

Quick Facts:

York:

• Julia Cuccia's 6 goals is tied for 10th in the OUA
• The Lions are 5th in the OUA in saves (473)
• York's 76 power play opportunities is 3rd in the conference

Queen's:

• The Gaels 49 goals is 4th most in the OUA
• Carys Collie is 5th in the OUA in PIM (23)
• Queen's 618 shots is 2nd in the conference

Lions to Watch:

#29 EMMA WEDGEWOOD: Second-year goalie... Has been a standout player for York each week, aiding in their wins but keeping the team in games when she is most needed... Playing and starting in 15 games this season, she has made 410 saves for a .923 save percentage, recording four wins... She made a seasons high 47 saves on Jan. 12 against Nipissing in the Lions 3-2 overtime loss... Earned OUA Athlete of the Week and York Female Athlete of the Week for the period ending Jan. 14 honours for her performance against the Nipissing Lakers, making 82 saves over the two games.

#3 KAITLIN TEIXEIRA: First-year forward... Seeing the ice in 18 games for York so far this season, she has nine points on four goals and five assists, including one power play goal and one game winning goal... She had her second multi-point game of the season on Jan. 14 against Nipissing in the Lions 3-1 victory where she recorded one goal and one assist.