After a heart-stopping win in Game 1 of the OUA semi-final, the York University Lions women's hockey team returned to Canlan Ice Sports for Game 2 against the Waterloo Warriors. The Lions looked to take another formidable challenge head-on this postseason, and, in so doing, advance to both the McCaw Cup and the U SPORTS championship with a win.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The game began with the intensity apropos of playoff hockey, with both teams striving to secure an early advantage. York's Alexa Giantsopoulos did just that for the home side just over three minutes into the game, , finding the back of the net on a wrap-around for her second goal of the playoffs, granting the Lions a 1-0 lead in the first period. The remainder of the period saw a staunch defensive effort from York to preserve their advantage. Despite the guests' attempts to level the score, the Lions concluded the first period with that 1-0 lead in toe.
• The Lions had a pair of great chances to extend their lead in the second. First, a Jenn Shaw shot was stopped by Mikayla Schnarr. Then, off the ensuing faceoff, a scramble in front of the Waterloo goal ended with Lola Massey being unable to solve Schnarr. . From there, controlled the play in the period. The visitors eventually equalized with a power play goal from Jessie Fennell right off the faceoff, with just over three minutes left in the second. 
• Then, Waterloo's Elizabeth Lenardon found room on Lions netminder Emma Wedgewood, securing a 2-1 lead for the Warriors by the period's end – their first lead of the series.
• Just 85 seconds into the third, Waterloo widened the margin to 3-1 courtesy of Paige Rynne. The Warriors were fantastic defensively in the final frame, limiting the Lions looks as they searched for the tying goals. 
• A late goal from the Warriors Brooklyn Cole erased any doubt, and solidified a 4-1 Waterloo win in Game 2, knotting the best-of-3 series at a game apiece.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Following their Game 2 defeat, the Lions will travel back to Waterloo on Sunday afternoon for a decisive Game 3. The winner will advance to next Saturday's McCaw Cup at either Guelph or Toronto and book its ticket to the U SPORTS championship in Saskatoon, Sask. Puck drop from Columbia Icefield Arena is 4:00 pm.