Box Score ST. CATHARINES, ON - The Brock University men's hockey team opened the 2016-17 OUA regular season with a 4-3 victory over the York Lions Friday night at the Meridian Centre.

Midway through the first York's Aaron Spivak got the first goal of the game with an assist by Dexter Bricker to put the Lions up 1-0.

Brock answered five minutes later as Sammy Benga (Windsor, ON) scored the first Brock goal of the regular season to tie the game 1-1. With three minutes remaining in the first, newcomer Braden Pears (Victoria, BC) blasted a shot past Mack Shields to take the 2-1 lead. Adam Lloyd (Orleans, ON) was credited with the assist.

The second period started of slow until a York penalty to Greg Milner led to a power play goal by the Badgers Josh Timpano (Orillia, ON)  off a nifty pass by Lloyd. Chris Maniccia (St. Catharines, ON) scored on breakaway to make it 4-1.

Milner scored a last minute goal to pull York within two before the end of the second. Brock led 4-2 after two periods.

York came out energized in the third period, desperately trying to get back in the game. The Brock defense was up for the challenge with some terrific saves from starter Clint Windsor (Hamilton, ON) to hold the two goal lead. Unfortunately both Jeff Corbett (Uxbridge, ON) and Skylar Pacheco (Kitimat, BC) took penalties to give York a 5 on 3 power play. With the extra man Derek Sheppard scored a power play goal to cut the lead down to one.

The final minute was full of exciting action as Windsor stood tall to secure the win. He finished with a game-high 41 saves while Shields registered 27 saves in the loss.

Brock returns to the ice Saturday, October 7th at 3pm, as they take on the Western Mustangs at the Meridian Centre.