The York University Lions men's hockey team rang in 2025, and the winter portion of their schedule, on the road against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday night in Thunder Bay. This game marked the continuation of a six-game road trip for the Lions, which straddled the winter break. York was looking to get back into the win column and start the new year on a high note.  

The Lions thought they'd scored the opening goal just 1:23 in, but the referee immedietly waved it off due to a kicking motion.Just 13 seconds later, Connor Senken was sent to the box for tripping, and the Thunderwolves capitalized on their early man advantage. Joe Mack took a cross-ice pass and had his initial shot stopped. But put home the rebound to make it a 1-0 Lakehead lead at the 2:13 mark. 

Lakehead continued to add to their lead. At the 5:53 mark Carter Serhyenko made an initial save, but Nicholas Campbell potted the rebound to make it 2-0. Three minutes later, Mack would score his second goal of the period to make the game 3-0 in favor of the home team after one.  

Lakehead would continue to control the game in the second period. The Thunderwolves scored four goals, including three in the period's first ten minutes on markers from Josh Van Unen, Keighan Gerrie and Malte Hasselgren, and another with just over three minutes left by Luca Fasciano, to extend their lead to 7-0 heading into the third.  

York would get on the board near the halfway point of the third. Rookie Chase Sandhu found a loose puck in behind Lakehead netminder Christian Cicigoi off a Lucas Theriault shot, making it a 7-1 game. The Thunderwolves would respond three minutes later, as Spencer Blackwell rounded out the scoring in an 8-1 Lakehead victory 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

The Lions head to Waterloo to take on the Warriors on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.