After both teams took care of business in Round 1 by sweeping their opponents, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team and York Lions were ready to renew their rivalry.

With the winner of the series advancing to the OUA championship game, as well as the USports National tournament, neither team disappointed in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

In the end, it was the Lions who struck first, picking up a 4-2 win to take the series lead and put the Lakers on the brink.

Game 1 got off to an exciting start, as both teams found the back of the net within the first four minutes.

The Lakers took the lead at the 3:36 mark when Brianna Gaffney chipped home a rebound as she continues her great play in the post-season.

Teagan Feltz and Katelyn Heppner picked up assists, as both Lakers add to their impressive stat-line in their third game of the playoffs.

It took York less than three minutes to tie things up, as they evened the game off the rush with a hard shot that found the back of the net.

The Lions took the lead before the end of the period, scoring a shorthanded marker to go up 2-1, a lead they would take into the first intermission.

York led on the shot clock, as well, 7-6.

In the middle frame, the teams exchanged goals.

York went up 3-1 near the midway mark of the period and led by two until the final second of the period.

Nipissing scored a huge goal with one second left on the clock, as Teagan Feltz picked up her second point of the game, getting the Lakers within one.

The power play goal came at 19:59 and was assisted by Maria Dominico and Allison Hayhurst.

York continued to lead in the shot department, up 19-16 after two periods of play.

The teams traded chances early in the third, but through the first half of the frame, the score remained 3-2 in favour of York.

With just over six minutes left, the Lions capitalized on a favourable bounce and added to their lead, going ahead 4-2.

Nipissing was unable to muster any offence in the final frame and the Lions added an empty-netter to steal Game 1 and take the series lead.

Danika Ranger finished with 24 saves, while Nipissing had 24 shots of their own.

Game 2 goes Saturday in Toronto at the Canlan Ice Sports Centre.

Puck drop is set for 2:15pm.

Game 3, if necessary, would be Sunday night at 7pm at Memorial Gardens.