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Queen's Cup Preview: York Lions

Thu Mar 11, 2004
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

The No. 6 York Lions arrive at the Queen's Cup for the ninth consecutive season with a 15-5-4 OUA regular season record and a 20-12-4 overall record. The Lions qualified for the Queen's Cup by defeating Laurier two games to zero in the OUA Mid West Finals. York was fifth in the OUA in goals for with 99 and tied for fourth in goals against with 72. York plays No. 3 Lakehead in the West Conference Finals on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. EST. This is the second year that the Lions will take on the Thunderwolves in the West Finals, with York winning last year's game.



Head Coach Graham Wise said his team is looking forward to this year's Queen's Cup and first round opponent Lakehead. "Congratulations to Lakehead. We are up against an outstanding hockey team. They played very well against us in Lakehead both our trips this year. We are in tough."

York vs. Queen's Cup Opposition 2003-2004 (Record: 3-5-1)
Fri Feb 6 Western 4 York 3
Mon Dec 29 Lakehead 7 York 2 NC
Sat Nov 29 Ottawa 3 York 3 TIE OT
Sat Nov 15 Lakehead 8 York 3
Fri Nov 14 Lakehead 9 York 2
Thu Nov 6 York 4 Western 3
Sat Nov 1 York 3 Toronto 0
Sun Oct 12 Western 5 York 4 NC
Wed Oct 1 York 5 Toronto 2 NC

Lakehead vs. York Head-to-Head:
The Thunderwolves have a record of 5-3 against York in three seasons of OUA play, including three wins this season; all before New Year's. However, the Lions have recovered from first half injuries and played some great hockey to roar back in the second half of the season to again win the OUA Mid West.

Players To Watch:
The Lions are anchored by First Team All-Star defenseman Sean Murphy and Second Team All-Star defenseman Steve Chabbert. York also feature three dangerous scorers in playmaker Daryl Bat, and snipers Jason Pinizzotto and Shane Nash. Last year's OUA West MVP and Rookie of the Year, goaltender Derek Dolson had a slower start this season, but rebounded to form in the second half to post impressive numbers and backstop his team to the division championship.

For the York Roster, click here.

Historical Highlights:
CIS National Championships: 3
Queen's Cup Championships: 4

York 2003-2004 Results:
Fri Mar 5 York 5 Laurier 3 PL
Thu Mar 4 York 7 Laurier 2 PL
Sat Feb 21 York 6 Laurier 3
Thu Feb 19 York 7 Guelph 1
Sat Feb 14 York 1 Windsor 0
Fri Feb 13 York 6 Windsor 3
Sat Feb 7 Waterloo 3 York 0
Fri Feb 6 Western 4 York 3
Sat Jan 31 York 3 Laurier 2
Thu Jan 29 Guelph 5 York 3
Sat Jan 24 York 5 Brock 1
Sat Jan 17 York 5 Guelph 4 OL
Thu Jan 15 Laurier 4 York 4 TIE OT
Fri Jan 9 York 6 Brock 0
Sat Jan 3 Laurier 3 York 1 NC
Sun Jan 4 Guelph 5 York 2 NC
Sat Dec 27 UNB 9 York 1 NC
Sun Dec 28 Calgary 6 York 0 NC
Mon Dec 29 Lakehead 7 York 2 NC
Sat Nov 29 Ottawa 3 York 3 TIE OT
Fri Nov 28 York 5 McGill 5 TIE OT
Sat Nov 22 York 4 Concordia 1
Fri Nov 21 UQTR 4 York 4 TIE OT
Sat Nov 15 Lakehead 8 York 3
Fri Nov 14 Lakehead 9 York 2
Sat Nov 8 York 3 Waterloo 2
Thu Nov 6 York 4 Western 3
Sat Nov 1 York 3 Toronto 0
Thu Oct 30 York 5 Ryerson 3
Sat Oct 25 York 5 Queen's 1
Fri Oct 24 York 9 RMC 3
Sat Oct 18 York 3 Manhattanville 2 EX
Sat Oct 11 York 2 Waterloo 1 NC
Sun Oct 12 Western 5 York 4 NC
Fri Oct 3 Michigan 6 York 2 EX
Wed Oct 1 York 5 Toronto 2 NC

For more info on York hockey, click here.