A regional rivalry was renewed Friday night as the York University Lions women's hockey team battled the Toronto Varsity Blues to open the winter portion of their schedule.
The Lions were looking to avenge a tough 3-1 loss to Toronto in their home opener on Oct. 27. Goaltender Emma Wedgewood did her part, stopping 30 of 32 pucks directed her way – many of which were 'Grade A' Toronto scoring chances. However, the Lions offence was quiet on the night, held to only 17 shots by a stingy Toronto defence which entered Friday having allowed the third-fewest goals in the OUA.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The visitors wasted little time finding the back of the net. Toronto's Taylor Delahey snapped one past Lions netminder Emma Wedgewood 59 seconds in to give Toronto the early 1-0 lead.
- That was the only blemish for Wedgewood in the opening period. She was spectacular thereafter, stopping the next 12 shots she faced, including several point-blank bids.
- The Lions killed four Toronto power plays in the opening frame alone thanks in no small part to Wedgewood, including a 5-on-3 that lasted 1:37, and were down 1-0 after one.
- The Lions had some 5-on-3 time of their own in the middle frame – theirs 1:18 in length – after killing off two early-period penalties. However, they were unable to take advantage, and still trailed by one after 40.
- A penalty with three seconds left in the second gave York essentially a full-length power play to begin the third, but they couldn't cash in on what was their fifth power play of the night.
- Toronto added some insurance with 6:34 to go in the third when Kaitlyn McKnight potted a rebound in front to give her club a 2-0 lead.
- That goal rounded out the scoring as the Lions fell to the Blues for the second time this season on home ice.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions won't have long to sit on this one, as they duel with another familiar foe, the TMU Bold, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Puck drop is schedule for 2:15 pm.
