The York University Lions men's hockey team made the quick trip down Line 1 to battle the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday night at Varsity Arena. The Lions were looking to bounce back after falling to the Waterloo Warriors in front of the home crowd last Saturday and earn their first win of 2026.

Just over a minute in, the visiting Lions got on the board, as Oliver Lamothe broke in with Keeton Oakley 2-on-0 and finished off the feed from Oakley for his third of his sophomore season. Harry Clark provided the other assist as the Lions took an early 1-0 lead. Lions goalie Matt Tovell was solid between the pipes in the opening period, stopping all eight shots he faced as York took that one-goal lead into the first intermission. 

The Varsity Blues managed to get the equalizer 12:33 into the second courtesy of a Brandon Santa Juana power play marker for his third of the season. The game remained square at 1-1 after two, but the Blues took the lead five minutes into the third with another power play goal, this one from Ryan Evenhuis. His fifth of the year made it 2-1 Toronto.

Three minutes later, Christian Stevens extended the lead to two with his third of the season. With Toronto up 3-1, Ryan Watt scored the Varsity Blues third goal of the final frame, making it 4-1 with his fourth. Capping a string of three goals in 5:21. Watt then added an empty netter with just over five minutes to go to solidify a 5-1 Toronto win.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions return home Sunday afternoon as they host the Brock Badgers in their annual Mark Cross Memorial Game, which will feature a pregame ceremony honouring Cross' life and legacy within Lions men's hockey. Cross' parents Brad and Marilyn will be on hand, as will several winners of the Mark Cross Heart of a Lion Award. Puck drop is set for 2:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or stream the game live on OUA TV. 

Greybrook.  Exclusive Sponsor of the York Men's Hockey Program.  greybrook.com