Box Score LONDON, Ont. — The Western Mustangs began their pursuit of the OUA championship against the Queen’s Gaels on Wednesday night. The Mustangs challenged Queen’s throughout the game, but the Gaels were too much for the Mustangs to handle and would win 4-0. With the win, the Gaels now take the early 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
 
Prior to the game the OUA honoured all those who made the OUA All-Star team and the OUA Rookie team. Mustangs assistant captain Katelyn Gosling, goaltender Kelly Campbell and rookie Kryshanda Green were all given plaques for their efforts this season.

The Mustangs were severely outshot during the first period as the Gaels were able to place eight shots on net before the Mustangs could land their first. Though it took a while for any of the Gaels’ shots to find the back of the net, at 16:09 in the period, Taryn Pilon, would score on Campbell. The Gaels would rack up 21 shots by the end of the frame and hold on to the 1-0 lead.

With an early penalty called during the second period on the Mustangs, the Gaels power play unit was able to score giving them a 2-0 lead over Western. The Mustangs were able to pull themselves together to prevent as many shots from their opponents, but were still unsuccessful in the offensive end with only five shots on net during the second.

The Gaels were eager to keep the Mustangs down and continued to do so with an early goal in the third. It would be Pylon who would score her second of the game to extend the lead to 3-0 forcing the Mustangs into a difficult position early in the final period.
 
The Mustangs finally gained the offensive edge and piled on more shots than the Gaels throughout the third. However their effort was not enough and the Gaels would go on to score a short-handed empty net goal during the dying minutes of the game.

With a 4-0 victory, the Gaels return to Kingston to host the Mustangs on Friday, March 1. The Mustangs must win their next game in order to even up the series and have a chance at the championship.