The York University Lions women's hockey team was in search of its first win of the new year, taking on the TMU Bold at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The Lions showed flashes in this game, but struggled to find a spark to get them back in the game after trailing 3-0. The only goal for the Lions was scored by Alexa Giantsopoulos in what finished a 4-1 TMU win.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions had three first-period power plays, including a double-minor to TMU's Gaby Gareau just 41 seconds in. However, York failed to capitalize on those opportunities, going 0-for-3 on the advantage in the opening period. 
• The lone goal of the first 20 minutes came after some good work by the Bold along the half-wall, and Megan Breen's shot from the near point found its way by Lions goaltender Emma Wedgewood to make it 1-0 TMU.
• The hosts would add a pair of goals in the middle frame. First, off a won offensive zone faceoff, the puck was thrown to the front of the net from the line. The initial shot didn't make it through, but the Lions could never recover possession. After Wedgewood made two great saves, the third attempt was put home by Caley Davis to double the Bold's lead.
• Then, it was Breen potting her second of the day, this one on the power play. She took a pass from the corner, made a great move around the Lion defender and fired one past Wedgewood to make it 3-0.
• The Lions gave themselves a little bit of life with just over a minute left in the second when Alexa Giantsopoulos made it a two-goal game. She had her initial shot blocked, but hustled after the rebound along the far boards, found it, curled out and hammered one past Bold netminder Shannon Harris to cut the TMU lead to 3-1 after 40.
• That was as close as the visitors would get, though, as TMU added a fourth goal halfway through the third courtesy of Payton Kerr to solidify a 4-1 Bold victory.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions look for their first win of 2024 when they open a home-and-home with the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night in North Bay. Puck drop for that game is slated for 7:00 pm.