The York University Lions women's hockey team hosted the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday evening in their annual Roar for a Cure game in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.  

The team honoured former captain and current assistant coach Jessica Turi, who overcame a battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2005, in a pregame ceremony. 

As for this game, it was a big one for the Lions as they looked to halt a three-game losing streak and gain some ground in the OUA West playoff hunt. 

The opening period saw York come out strong, outshooting Ontario Tech by a 12-4 count and putting on lots of early pressureearly pressure. Despite two power play opportunities apiece in the first, neither team managed to capitalize, keeping the game scoreless after 20 minutes. 

Momentum shifted in York's favor in the second period. After a five minute major and game msiconduct was handed out to Ontario Tech's Nicole Escano for tripping in the corner of the Ridgebacks zone midway through the period, Lions captain Ava Ricker-Singh broke the deadlock late in the power play to make it 1-0 with 4:48 left in the second. Alexa Giantsopoulos drew the lone assist. Despite five Ontario Tech power plays through two periods, a locked-in Lions defense limited Ontario Tech's chances, holding them to 12 shots through two periods and allowing the Lions to take a 1-0 lead to the third. 

 
The Lions cemented their victory in the third period with two more goals. At 11:03, Alexa Giantsopoulos found the back of the net on another power play – this one a 5-on-3 – on a beautiful move around the Ridgebacks defender. Jillian Milligan and Ricker-Singh added assists on the insurance marker that made it 2-0. In the final minute, Kaitlin Teixeira sealed the game with an empty-net goal, making the final score 3-0 York. 

Goaltender Emma Wedgewood was flawless in net, stopping all 22 shots she faced to secure the shutout. York's special teams were instrumental in the win, converting two power-play goals while holding Ontario Tech scoreless on their nine power play opportunities. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 
With this victory, the Lions aim to build momentum heading into the holiday break as they prepare to face the Queen's Gaels on Sunday, December 1st. Puck drops at 2:00 PM in the final game of 2024.