The York Lions men's hockey team were on the road Thursday night, facing off against the Guelph Gryphons. The struggling Lions looked to come out and get back in the win column against a competitive middle of the pack 3-3-1 team. 

In a clean opening period, the Lions were able to strike first. Olivier Lamothe fired a pass from the left wing that was sent home on a one-timer from Owen Gilhula, his third career goal against the Gryphons, to put them up 1-0. Coming as the only goal at the 7:21 mark of the period, the Lions ended it leading in shots on goal 8-6. The intensity picked up in the last couple of minutes of the first, setting up the scene for a big second period. 

Guelph found the equalizer off a behind the net pass that was tipped in right in front of the net to tie it 1-1. Just a few minutes later, the Gryphons found a fast break down the left wing and fired another one in, making it a 2-1 game. The Lions were able to respond, as a pass from Harry Clark to Brendan McCarthy generated a tactical feed that snuck past two defenders and was deflected into the top right corner of the net by the flying Aiden MacIntosh, knotting it back up at 2-2. York killed off a Guelph power play to end the period still tied and set up a crucial final frame. 

Guelph kicked off the third on a three on two rush that ended with a tap-in to put them back up 3-2. Another odd player rush just over a minute later allowed the Gryphons to secure another goal, opening the third period on fire. Suddenly a 4-2 game, the Lions were on their heels and attempted to recover, with time on their side. With just over five minutes left in the period, right out of a face off in the Guelph zone, Owen Gilhula fired a low shot that snuck past the Gryphons, and put the Lions back within one, 4-3. In the dying minutes, York poured on the offensive pressure. Brendan McCarthy capitalized on a rebound chance, and snapped it in with just under two minutes left, stunning Guelph and tying it 4-4. However, the Gryphons stormed right back and scored two back-to-back goals within 11 seconds of each other. When the dust cleared, it was 6-4 with less than a minute left, and the Lions could not get back towards evening it up as the final game buzzer sounded. 

LOOKING AHEAD:

After a day's rest, the Lions will remain on the road to face off against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday, November 1st. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm, with coverage on OUA TV.