The York University Lions women's hockey team, currently in the middle of the pack in the OUA West standings, hosted a strong Ottawa Gee-Gees team at Canlan Ice Sports Arena Saturday afternoon. The game provided a chance for the Lions to continue pushing into contention, and put on a better performance against the Gee-Gees, who shut them out 4-0 on the road last Saturday.

The first period showcased numerous chances for both teams, with Ottawa leading in shots 10-6. The Lions had two powerplays that offered them an advantage to open up the scoring, and the Gee-Gees had one of their own, but neither side was able to capitalize. The game remained scoreless, heading into the second period.

The Lions had two more power plays throughout the period but couldn't convert as Ottawa kept dumping the puck back into their zone. Back at full strength, the Gee-Gees found perhaps the best scoring chance of the day off a breakaway, but Emma Wedgewood in the net was able to smother the shot up with a tremendous save and keep the game at 0-0. The Gee-Gees went on two more power plays themselves, one with just over two minutes left in the period, but the Lions defence held up, with no goals scored by either side throughout the first two.

The Lions finally broke the ice, as Alexa Giantsopoulos stormed up the left wing alone past two defenders, and fired a wrist shot from long range to put York up 1-0 at the 3:21 mark. With plenty of time left in the period, the Lions fought off a swarm of Ottawa chances, including an empty net advantage later in the period. Wedgewood ended up earning the shutout, and the Lions took a 1-0 game to the buzzer to improve to 6-4 on the season.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will hit the road for a match up against the Queen's Gaels on Friday, November 14th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm, with coverage on OUA TV.