The York University Lions men's hockey team faced off against the Western Mustangs on Saturday afternoon in London. The Lions entered the matchup on a three-game losing streak to start the season, looking to find their rhythm and pick up their first win of the year. This game presented a chance to do just that, as Western came into the game with a 1-2 record and were coming off a loss to the TMU Bold last Friday.

The Lions opened the first period strongly and aggressively. Early on Owen Gilhula carried the puck up ice in transition and scored the first goal of the game just 4:46 in. However, the Mustangs quickly responded, just over four minutes later, as Shane Bulitka fired a shot past Matt Tovell that tied the score at 1-1. Then, with just over six minutes left in the first, Nicholas Yearwood buried the Mustangs second straight goal, giving Western the lead.

York responded when Oliver Lamothe beat Western goalie Jack McNaughton on a breakaway, evening the score at 2-2. The Mustangs dug in, however, and Western regained the lead before the end of the period after Christian Aiello received a no-look pass from Yearwood, and he made no mistake, making it 3-2 Western after one.

Four minutes into the second period, Bulitka scored his second of the day off helpers from Owen Saye and Lawson Sherk to double the lead. Late in the frame, Tye McSorley capitalized on another opportunity, pushing Western's led to 5-2 heading into the final period.

Early in the third, Shawn Ramsey scored on a rebound to extend the Mustangs' lead to 6-2. With under four minutes to play, York's Harry Clark got one back short-handed, cutting the deficit to 6-3. However, Aiello sealed the game for Western with his second goal of the game and ending capping the scoring in a 7-3 Mustangs win.

LOOKING AHEAD: 

York will have a quick turnaround as the return home to host the TMU Bold on Sunday afternoon at Canlan Ice Sports. Puck drop is set for 2:15 pm.