LONDON, Ont. – Kendra Broad scored the winning goal midway through the third period as the Western Mustangs women's hockey team skated to a 3-1 victory over the Ryerson Rams on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Arena.
 
The victory gives Western a 3-1 record early in the 2015-16 season, while Ryerson moves to 0-4 on the year.  
 
Kendra Broad's goal, her first of the year, broke a 1-1 tie just past the midway point of the final frame and came off of assists from Stacey Scott and Brittany Clapham.
 
Clapham led all Western scorers on the night as she was involved on each of Western's three goals, netting one of her own to go along with assists on the Mustangs first two goals of the game.
 
Kelly Campbell got the win in the Mustangs net, stopping 32 of the 33 shots she faced. Taking the loss for Ryerson was Ally Sarna who turned aside 20 of the 22 pucks sent her way.
 
The Mustangs jumped out to a quick lead, striking with only a minute gone in the first frame. Clapham made a nice touch pass to find Scott in front and the fifth-year forward made no mistake, sliding the puck past the outstretched goalie to open the scoring.
 
However, the Rams were not deterred. They answered less than a minute later as Blair Malthaner found herself in alone on a breakaway and went upstairs to beat Campbell and tie the game.
 
The Rams picked up the pace and skated well, outshooting the Mustangs 11-9 in the first period. They're quick neutral zone counterattack led to several good scoring opportunities, however, Campbell stood tall and the score remained tied at one after one. 
 
The second period was a battle for the neutral zone. The two teams went up and down the ice, but neither could generate a goal. With the benefit of a few power plays, the Rams outshot the Mustangs once again but couldn't crack the Mustang penalty kill.
 
In the third, the Mustangs dominated possession, but couldn't generate many shots on net. The Rams almost made the Mustangs pay as a blueline turnover led to a two on none rush, but it was fired wide.
 
And as so often happens, the Mustangs came back down the ice and capitalized. The Mustangs gained control in the offensive zone, and Scott fired a close range shot that was kicked out by Sarna. The puck found the tape of Broad who neatly tucked it in to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead.
 
Fittingly, the Mustangs killed off one last penalty and then sealed the victory with an empty netter from Clapham to secure a 3-1 win for the home side.
 
The story of the game was perhaps the Mustangs penalty kill. They killed off three first period opportunities and went a perfect seven for seven overall including the game clinching kill in the third period.
 
Western won't have time to celebrate their victory as they're back on the ice at Thompson Arena once again on Sunday afternoon against the Toronto Varsity Blues. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. and all the action can be watched live on OUA.tv