The York University Lions women's hockey team kicked off their first OUA playoff appearance in four years in dramatic fashion, downing the East division-leading, Nipissing Lakers in a nail-biting 1-0 contest in overtime Wednesday night in North Bay.
Emma Wedgewood put on a show, stopping every shot fired her way throughout the entirety of the intense 60-minute match. Wedgewood's performance was complemented by Sydney Paulson's clutch game-winning goal, to propel the Lions to seize a crucial 1-0 series lead.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The first period started off with an eagerly anticipated, tightly contested exchange, with both teams striving for an early advantage. Julia Cuccia came closest to breaking the deadlock, but her shot narrowly missed the mark, sailing just wide of the net. Despite the Lions firing off seven shots to the Lakers' eight, neither side managed to find the back of the net for a crucial go-ahead goal before the first intermission.
- As the second period unfolded, the tension on the ice remained palpable with the scoreboard deadlocked at 0-0. Both teams continued to mount relentless attacks, generating several promising opportunities in front of the net. The Lions and the Lakers traded scoring chances, with each goaltender facing a barrage of shots but standing firm to keep the game level after 40.
- Wedgewood showcased her defensive prowess throughout the third period, thwarting a remarkable 11 shots launched by the Lakers, thereby preserving the scoreline at a deadlock at nil and ultimately pushing the game into overtime.
- Both teams returned to the ice looking for the first goal of the postseason. The tension reached its peak with 5:48 remaining in overtime when Sydney Paulson delivered a moment of magic, stunning the crowd by redirecting the puck off Nicole York's stick and past Chantelle Sandquist, clinching a thrilling 1-0 victory.
- Despite the Lakers bombarding the net with an impressive 44 shots, fortune seemed to elude them as they struggled to solve the defensive prowess of Wedgewood.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions are set to take to their home ice once again as they welcome the Nipissing Lakers for game two of the OUA quarter-finals series this Friday, Feb. 23. The match-up is scheduled for an early start, with the puck set to drop at 11:30 am.
