Sunday afternoon's men's hockey matchup between the York University Lions and the Brock Badgers was about more than just a game.

The most important date on the Lions men's hockey calendar, January 18th celebrates the life of former Lion Mark Cross, one of the 16 who tragically lost their lives in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. With Cross' parents Brad and Marilyn in attendance as well as three past recipents of the Mark Cross Heart of a Lion Award the Lions held a pregame ceremony paying tribute to Cross, as well as fundraising efforts towards the Mark Cross Memorial Fund. Wearing their customary Mark Cross Memorial Day uniforms donning the letters MC18 on the chest the name "Cross" on the back, the Lions took the ice looking to win their second straight MC18 game.

Howver, the Badgers had other ideas, as just 28 seconds into the game, a shot clanged off the post, and the rebound lay behind Lions netminder Matt Tovell before being deposited by Jordan Stock to put Brock up 1-0.

The Lions killed off after a tripping call to Marcus Regina midway through the period, where the best chance went to the Lions. Harry Clark was sprung on a breakaway, but was denied of the shorthanded equalizer by Will Hambley. Back at even strength, Olivier Lamothe found a seam for a breakaway of his own, but he too was turned away Hambley. Despite generating most of the chances in the opening period, a too many men penalty on the Lions proved costly. York nearly escaped the period unscathed, but a rebound off a Ryan Stepien shot was put home by Alexis Cournoyer with just five seconds left, putting the Badgers up 2-0 after one.

The Lions came out flying in the second, including another breakaway and several other ten-bell chances, including one a pair of sprawling saves from Hembley. With the game becoming increasingly more physical on both sides, the Badgers went on another power play after some rough stuff led to an extra roughing call to Raphael Denis, This time it was Tovell's turn to make an outstanding stop, as he took a sure goal away late in the power play to keep it 2-0.

The Lions finally got on the board 13 seconds from the game's midway mar when a centering pass was batted around in front, and Clark got the last touch, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Lions went to the power play minutes later looking to tie, but they could not convert. York outshot Brock 15-13 in the middle frame and trailed by a goal after 40.

The Lions didn't have to wait long to net the equalizer in the third. Just 40 seconds in, a long point shot from Chase Sandhu as tipped past Hambley by Thomas Lacombe. His first of the year made it a 2-2 game and gave the momentum to the Lions right away. With the noise of the home fans, the Lions killed off a Harry Clark roughing penalty moments later and looked to complete the comeback, going on a power play of their own with just over nine minutes left thanks to an Andrew Amousse hooking call. The Lions held the offensive zone the entire two minutes, their best chance coming on a slapshot from Clark that went squarely off the post, keeping the game tied beyond the halfway mark of the third.

However, Brock retook the lead with just 7:33 to play off a low wrister from the streaking Cournoyer that Tovell got a piece of but not enough, putting the Badgers back up 3-2 at the 12:27 mark. Shortly after, Ethan Sims potted a rebound off a point shot, putting it past a sprawling Tovell to make it 4-2 Brock. The Lions got one more opportunity afterMatt Duarte was assessed a double-minor for boarding with 3:42 left. However, the Lions could capitalize, and Brock took this one 4-2.

LOOKING AHEAD:  

The Lions host the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday night at Canlan Ice Sports. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or stream the game live on OUA TV.