The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) regular season schedule comes to an end for the York University Lions men’s hockey and women’s volleyball teams this weekend, but both have already booked their place in the playoffs, which will start the following weekend.
Action begins tonight when the men’s hockey team faces off against the Brock Badgers beginning at 7pm at Canlan Ice Sports. The Lions will close out the regular season on Saturday at 7pm against the Guelph Gryphons.
Right: The York Lions and Brock Badgers during game action on Jan. 14
The Lions (11-12-3) are currently sixth in the OUA West division and can lock up that spot with a win in either of their remaining games this weekend. The Badgers are currently on the outside of the playoff picture after losing four straight and eight of their last nine games but despite their struggles, they sit just two points back of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology team for the final playoff spot in the OUA West with two games left. The Lions have won four of the last five meetings with the Badgers, including both this season by a single goal in each.
Saturday night’s game promises to be an exciting one as the Lions and Gryphons have played two entertaining contests already this season. Both games were close and high-scoring, with the Lions winning the first 6-5 and the Gryphons grabbing the second 7-5. Guelph has already secured the fifth seed in the OUA West standings.
The women’s volleyball team also has a pair of home games to close out the regular season. They will face the Guelph Gryphons on Friday evening at 6pm and the McMaster Marauders on Saturday also at 6pm in the finale. Both games are part of doubleheaders with the men’s team, which will follow each contest at 8pm.
The Lions sit third in the OUA East standings with a 10-7 record and will finish in that spot with a win in either contest this weekend. The Gryphons present a tough challenge in the only meeting between the two teams this year as they are fighting for a post-season berth. Guelph is just two points out of a playoff spot but wins in both contests this weekend will move the team ahead of the Brock Badgers and secure the fourth seed.
The game against McMaster is a rematch of the OUA championship final last season, in which the Lions won 3-1 for the title. The Marauders, who won OUA gold the previous year, were the only OUA team to defeat the Lions last season. This year, they are the top team in the OUA with a 16-2 record and have already clinched the top seed in the East.
The men’s volleyball team (3-14) will be in tough against both Guelph and McMaster this weekend. The Gryphons are comfortably in playoff contention, sitting fifth in the OUA standings, while the Marauders are tied for top spot with a 14-3 record and are ranked No. 8 nationally. The Lions still have one more contest the following weekend to end the season.
Tickets for all games are available at the door. York students are free with presentation of their YU-Card. Adults can purchase tickets for $8 and students and seniors are $5. Children 12 and under are free.