The York University Lions women's hockey team hosted the Ottawa Gee-Gees on a snowy Sunday evening at Canlan Ice Sports. Fresh off a 2-1 overtime win against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday, the Lions were determined to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Entering the game nine points out of a playoff spot, the Lions were looking for their first regulation win of the winter term after a three OT wins in their first four games of 2025.
York wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as they capitalized on an early 5-on-3 power play opportunity. 15 seconds into the two-player advantage, the red hot Lola Massey opened the scoring, as she was left alone in the bumper spot for her fourth power play goal in as many games and fifth goal of the year. Trynity Turner and Mikayla Totten drew the assists on the goal that made it 1-0 York, a lead they would carry into the second.
The Lions doubled the lead thanks to Ava Ricker-Singh, who drove hard to the net on a counter attack and capped off a beautiful play set up by Natalie Mamone. Ricker-Singh's second in as many games and sixth of the year made it 2-0, with Alexa Giantsopoulos earning the second assist on the goal at 16:43. The Lions held that same 2-0 lead through 40 minutes.
The Lions erupted offensively in the third period, scoring five goals in a dazzling display of offensive firepower. Kaitlin Teixeira led the charge, recording her first career OUA hat trick, including her first goal of the night at 1:36 after forcing a turnover deep in Ottawa territory, assisted by Ricker-Singh and Giantsopoulos. Teixeira struck again at 11:54 on a wicked snap shot from the top of the circle, and completed the hat-trick by finishing off a 2-on-1 with Trynity Turner 14:17. Natalie Mamone and Giantsopoulos also found the back of the net in the third, propelling York to a 7-1 win.
Ottawa's lone goal came at 7:07 in the third, courtesy of Arianne Gagnon, but it was far too late to mount a comeback. York's Emma Wedgewood was a steady presence in net, stopping 31 of 32 shots. Ottawa's goaltending tandem of Mireille Kingsley and Clara Genier faced an onslaught of 48 shots, allowing seven goals combined, as York outshot Ottawa 48-32.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Lions will welcome the other Ottawa-based team, the Carleton Ravens, to town on Saturday night, with puck drop set for 7:00 pm, as the two teams meet for the second and final time this season.
