After splitting the home-and-home series with the Nipissing Lakers for the second time of the season, the York University Lions women's hockey team moved into sole possession of the final playoff spot. With two more weekends of action left, every game and point becomes even more important, starting with a Thursday night road game against the TMU Bold, before hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday.

Friday evening, the Lakers traveled to Toronto to play the Lions in a home-and-home series. Meeting again just 23 days after their last outing, the Lakers took the 1-0 lead in the first period. Nipissing quickly took a 5-0 lead in the second period, before Julia Cuccia scored the first of the game for York on a power play. A scoreless third period got the Lakers the 5-1 victory, as both teams headed to North Bay to face-off again.

Another quick turnaround for both teams, and strong defensive outings kept the teams level throughout the game. A scoreless first 20 minutes continued out through the second, and then the third period. Cuccia and Alexa Giantsopoulos had prime scoring opportunities in the second period, but the Nipissing netminder came out big. Emma Wedgewood made 23 important saves that sent the game into overtime, and Giantosopoulos found the back of the net, making up for an earlier penalty shot opportunity, and securing her team's move into fourth place in the OUA East, and holding onto the final playoff spot.

The Match-up:

Feb. 8 York (8-16) vs. TMU Bold (5-20)

Feb. 10 York (8-16) vs. Laurier Golden Hawks (11-13)

Game Details:

Thu., Feb. 8 @ TMU (6:00 pm OUA.tv)
Sat., Feb. 10 vs. Laurier (2:15 pm OUA.tv)

Current Streaks:

York - Won 1

TMU - Won 2

Laurier - Loss 5

Quick Facts:

York:

• The Lions 107 power play opportunities is 2nd in the OUA
• Jillian Milligan is 2nd among OUA defenders with 10 assists

TMU:

• The Bold's 772 saves leads the OUA
• Emily Baxter's 12 goals is 5th in the OUA

Laurier:

• Laurier's power play is 3rd in the OUA (15.8)
• Acadia Carlson is 6th in the OUA in goals against average (2.19)

Lions to Watch:

#14 ALEXA GIANTSOPOULOS: Second-year forward... In her 24 games played this year, she is tied for the team lead with 12 points, and second on the Lions with seven goals... She scored the game winning goal on Feb. 3 against the Nipissing Lakers in the Lions 1-0 over time win... She had a four-game scoring streak from Jan. 20-27, while also having a multi-point game on Jan. 25 against Toronto in York's 3-2 victory.

#18 JILLIAN MILLIGAN: Second-year defence... Playing in 24 games this year, she is tied for first on the Lions with 12 points, and leads the team with 10 assists, which is also 12th in the OUA... She had a three-game point streak from Jan. 21-27, recording assists in all three games and aiding in two wins... She assisted the game-winning goal on Feb. 3 against the Nipissing Lakers to elevate the Lions into the final playoff spot.