Win and in.
The scenario was a simple one for the York University Lions women's hockey team on Thursday night as they looked to clinch their first postseason berth since their run to the McCaw Cup game in 2020.
The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks rolled into town two points back of York for the fourth and final OUA East playoff position and tied with the TMU Bold. A win would put them into no worse than a tie for that fourth position with one game remaining.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was a tentative start for both clubs, but play opened up as the period progressed. With just under 7:30 gone in the first, Taylor Coward led a 2-on-1 from centre ice with Alexa Giantsopoulos. Coward fed Giantsopoulos on the far side, and her shot snuck through Ontario Tech goaltender Zoe McGee and lay on the goal-line momentarily before being poked home by Giantsopoulos. Her eighth of the year tied her for the team lead with Julia Cuccia and made it 1-0 Lions after one.
- Just seconds into the second, Jillian Mulligan was sprung on a breakaway out of the penalty box after a Ridgeback's centring pass hopped over the stick of its intended recipient and rolled out to centre to a waiting Milligan. Her shot was stopped by McGee, keeping it 1-0.
- However, just moments later, Giantsopoulos took a stretch pass up the near wing from Lexy Anonech, skated in and ripped one blocker side on McGee to take over the team goal-scoring lead with her ninth of the season and second of the night. That gave York a 2-0 lead.
- The Lions pushed hard for a third, outshooting Ontario Tech 10-4 in the second, but some big saves from McGee kept the lead at two through 40.
- In that third, the Ridgebacks pushed back hard early in hopes of cutting the lead in half. But, instead, it was the Lions grabbing some much-needed insurance on a broken play. An Ava Ricker-Singh pass out of the corner bounced off a stick and right back to her in the slot. Her shot was redirected home by Coward for her second on the campaign to make it 3-0 York.
- Shortly after the goal the Lions took two penalties in seven seconds, giving the visitors a 5-on-3 for 1:53 and with it, a chance to get right back in it. However, the Lions penalty killers were fabulous two skaters down, keeping Ontario Tech to the outside for most of the advantage.
- The Ridgebacks did get a late marker courtesy Katie Mikkelsen, but it wasn't enough as the Lions skated away 3-1 winners, clinching their first trip to the playoffs in four years. The Lions will face the OUA East's No. 1 seed, the Nipissing Lakers, in a best-of-3 series. York played the Lakers tough this season, going 2-1-1-0 in four regular season games.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will get one final tune-up ahead of that seriesFriday night when they host the Queen's Gaels on Grad Night from Canlan, where eight graduating seniors will be recognized. Puck drop is 7:15 pm.
