The York Lions’ women’s hockey team finally returned home after playing seven of their first nine games away from the Canlan Ice Sports Arena.
The Lakers are enjoying their inaugural season of Ontario University Athletics action, with this game being the first of two between the squads this year. The Lakers were able to grab a victory in their first game of the season but have since faltered, losing four straight heading into Canlan Ice.
The Lions were in for a fight all afternoon as the Lakers looked to gain a couple points on a struggling York team. Entering the game, the Lions sat only three points ahead of Nipissing in the standings, with both teams looking to slowly climb their way back into playoff contention.
Nipissing came out with purpose in the first, dictating the pace for much of the period as the Lions struggled to find their legs. The Lions were handed a couple of powerplay chances in the period, but failed to maintain any sort of pressure on the Lakers, who simply won more puck battles deep in their own zone.After killing off their early checking to the head penalty, the Lakers’ Carly Marchment was able to squeeze one past York’s goalie Jessalyn Bogacki to put her team ahead 1-0.
A questionable slashing call at the end of the period capped off a stale first for York as they entered the locker room down a goal and a woman.
Once again, the Lions started the period on the penalty kill in the third, but this time, they could not stop the Lakers from finding the back of the net as Brooklyn Irwin’s shot navigated its way through traffic, putting Nipissing ahead 2-0 with just under a period of play remaining. Facing a two-goal deficit, the Lions sprung to life halfway through the third, creating chances by keeping the puck in deep and taking open shots. It was one Lion in particular who stole show however — fifth-year forward Andrea Joyce took over the game.
“Just inconsistent, I thought,” explains Lions’ Head Coach Jen Rawson. “We had moments of good things but not enough of those good things in a row.”
The Lions were held scoreless in the first two periods—something that has become a bit of trend for the team. They had scored just one goal in their previous three contests coming into their game against the Lakers.
“It’s puzzling,” Rawson says. “I am not sure if we are thinking too much and looking for the pretty play or waiting too long to make decisions offensively. It is something we are trying to address.”
The Lions’ scoring woes continued onto the next day as they lost to the Laurentian Voyageurs with a score of 4-0.
The two losses put the Lions at 3-7-1 on the season, with just 13 games remaining on their schedule. York takes on fellow Toronto schools U of T and Ryerson on November 22 and 23 next weekend in back-to-back games at Canlan Ice.
Ryan McCabe
Sports and Health Editor
