Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: York’s Shields were up as they held Ryerson to a single goal in the victory. | Courtesy of York Lions
The men’s and women’s hockey teams were in action this week, as the men played on Thursday and Saturday, while the women played on Saturday and Sunday.
In Thursday’s game, the men were facing off against the Guelph Gryphons in Guelph. With just under six minutes to play in the first period, the Lions drew first blood with Derek Sheppard’s third goal of the season, assisted by Greg Milner and Trevor Petersen.
Less than three minutes later, York added a goal courtesy of Petersen and assisted by Daniel Nikandrov and Nick Zottl.
Guelph opened the scoring six minutes into the second period to cut the Lions’ lead to one, but York added an empty net goal with under a minute to play, putting the game out of Guelph’s reach.
York goalie Mack Shields was sensational, saving 33 of the 34 shots he faced in the win.
On Saturday, Ryerson opened the scoring with just 10 seconds left in the first period, giving them a one-goal lead they would take into the break.
However, York didn’t have to wait long to respond, as Petersen scored his fourth goal of the season two minutes into the second to tie things up at one.
At the end of regulation, the score was still tied, which meant overtime was needed. However, neither team was able to break the stalemate in the first overtime, meaning we were heading to double overtime.
Just four minutes into the extra extra frame, Sheppard was able to sneak a shot past the Rams goalie to give the Lions the 2-1 win.
Shields was spectacular once again, saving 26 of 27 shots, including five saves in overtime.
With the win, the Lions are now 4-2 on the season and have won their last four games.
Earlier on Saturday, the women played the Brock Badgers at home, but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first period.
The Badgers opened the scoring in the second period with a flurry of three unanswered goals coming nine, 12 and 18 minutes into the frame, respectively.
With seven minutes left in the game, the Lionesses finally answered Brock’s three goals with one courtesy of Erin Locke, who found the back of the net for the second time this season to end the Badger’s shutout. Unfortunately, that was York’s only goal of the game, and Brock went on to win by a final score of 3-1.
The women played again on Sunday, looking to even out their record against Ryerson.
The Rams’ Ailish Forfar opened the scoring with just over five minutes left in the first period, but less than two minutes later, the Lionesses evened the score with a goal from Leah Hibbert, assisted by Kelsey McHolm and Avery Reeves.
Both men’s and women’s teams won nail-biting games against Gryphons and Rams.
York opened the scoring midway through the second courtesy of Dana Somerville, assisted by McHolm and Taylor Davison.
Despite being outshot by York in the third, it was Ryerson who found the back of the net just after the midway point, evening the score and forcing overtime.
Neither team was able to break the tie, sending the game to double overtime. York was outshot 3-0 in the second overtime, but managed to preserve the tie and force a shootout.
York’s first shooter was Rianna Langford, who beat the goalie and gave York a 1-0 lead. Ryerson’s first shooter missed, but York’s second shooter, Tegan Duncan, also missed.
Ryerson’s second shooter missed again, but a goal from Somerville beat the Rams goalie and gave the Lionesses a 3-2 win.
The men’s next game is Friday at home against Brock starting at 7 p.m., while the women play again Saturday at home against Laurentian at 2 p.m.
Cheers pal. I do aprcpeiate the writing.