The York University Lions women's hockey team was back at it on Saturday night at Canlan Ice Sports, hosting the Queen's Gaels coming off their first win of the season on Friday night, a shoutout win over Ontario Tech.
The visitors had their fair share of chances in the opening frame, thanks in large part to three power plays. However, it was at even strength where the Gaels drew first blood. Off a failed clearing attempt from the Lions, Claire Sedgewick banged home a rebound off an Alex Recsky shot from in tight to give Queen's a 1-0 lead with 5:54 to play.
However, the Lions wasted little time drawing back on even terms. Natasha Lange gained the offensive zone and sent a shot on goal that was turned aside by Bronwynn Lee, but the rebound lay loose in front of the goal and was eventually tucked home by Kaitlin Teixeira. Her second of the season tied things 1-1, with Lange and Mikayla Totten drawing the assists. The game remained square at a goal apiece after 20.
In the second, the Gaels retook the lead courtesy of Mikayla Cranney. The OUA's leader in goals added to her total 6:06 into the second when she walked in down the left side and snapped one past Alix Walchuk to give the Gaels their second lead of the night. Just like in the first, the Lions responded. Staving off three more Queen's power plays in the middle frame, the Lions tied it up down a player with under a minute to go. Jade McNicol made an excellent bank pass up to Molly Battram, who was in alone behind the Queen's defence, and she beat Lee blocker side for the Lions first shorthanded goal of the year to even it up at 2-2 after two.
Melissa Parton of Queen's took a double-minor for head contact shortly after the tying goal, and this time it was the Gaels who came away with a shorty. Just 1:55 into the final frame, Cranney broke in on Walchuk and just squeaked one through her legs and in, providing the Gaels with their third one-goal lead of the night.
This time, the Lions would be unable to draw back level, and Cranney finished off her natural hat trick with 4:32 left. Her tenth of the season put this one on ice, as the Gaels took this oen by a score of 4-2.
Despite penalty trouble being a concerning theme in this one, York's penalty kill was equal to the task, killing off all eight Queen's power plays and also scoring a goal. Walchuk was solid between the pipes for the Lions, making 27 saves on 31 shots.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions begin a three-game road trip next Friday in North Bay as they battle the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night in their lone game of the weekend. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. from Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. You can watch the game live on OUA TV.
"Greybrook. Exclusive Sponsor of the York Men's & Women's Hockey Programs." greybrook.com"
