After a tough shootout loss last night to the Brock Badgers, the York University Lions women's hockey team hit the road on Saturday night to battle the Laurier Golden Hawks at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex in Fergus. The Hawks entered play the leaders of the OUA West with a record of 12-2-0. For the Lions, Saturday night's game promised a competitive game with the chance to make a strong statement against one of the OUA's top teams.
The Lions drew their first power play of the game just over three minutes in, but couldn't take advantage of it early on. York killed off a Golden Hawks power play shortly after, but Laurier was able to open the scoring shortly after, with a shot from Sidney Brooks off the left wing that snuck past Olivia Tran in net. This put the Golden Hawks up 1-0 near the midway point of the period. Another Laurier power play later in the period put pressure on the Lions, but they were able to kill it off and finish the period only down one, with the help of some strong saves by Tran.
Hoping to get a more consistent offence going in the second, York survived another Golden Hawks power play early despite relentless pressure from Laurier. Out of the kill, York's Ginger Fast found herself alone on a breakaway but was turned away in close by Kayla Renaud. Later in the period, the Lions went on their second power play of the game, but still struggled to create scoring chances. York killed off a Laurier powerplay to end the second with no scoring from either side, as it remained 1-0 Golden Hawks after 40.
York started the third on a power play, but still could not convert. With the Golden Hawks protecting their narrow lead, neither goalie was busy in the third, as play slowed down. The Lions pulled Tran with just over two minutes left, where Emerie Maltby found some space and found the empty net for Laurier putting them up 2-0. With Tran back in, Laurier added an insurance marker to seal the win with just over a minute left, as Abby Glandon fired a shot that got through the five-hole of Tran, making the final score 3-0 in favour of the Golden Hawks.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will return home to Canlan Ice Sports on Friday night to face the Guelph Gryphons. You can get your tickets here, while coverage will also be available on OUA TV.
