London, ON – Mustangs made a 3rd-period comeback but fell 3-2 to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Saturday afternoon.
"I thought we came out flat right from the start," said Mustangs Head Coach Candice Moxley "We expected the legs to be a tired a bit after playing last night but that just wasn't our best hockey tonight."
The Ridgebacks would open the scoring in the 1st period. After the Mustangs took a penalty with just under five minutes left, Ontario Tech would convert on the powerplay as Natalie Wozney scored from the slot to take a 1-0 lead.
Neither team found the net in the 2nd period.
For the second game in a row, the Mustangs waited until the 3rd period to get on the scoreboard. Western's Hannah Irwin stripped the puck at centre ice and shoveled the puck to Rachel Armstrong who took the puck and skated wide into the offensive zone, cut towards the net and roofed a wrist shot. There was initially some confusion on whether the puck went in or not but after the officials came together the goal was confirmed, and the game was tied at 1-1.
"It was nice to see Army (Rachel Armstrong) get that shot, I thought the ref missed it initially but it was good that she went to her linesman on that one because it was a great shot," said Moxley.
The Mustangs would convert again, this time on the powerplay. Renae Nevills gathered the puck at the blue line and passed along the wing to Jenna Maclean who then slid the puck to the front of the net and Emma Suitor re-directed it in the net to give the Mustangs their first lead of the game at 2-1.
"I just saw Jenna (MacLean) cutting down low so I just put my stick on the ice and tipped it in, felt really good." said Suitor on the goal
Ontario Tech would even the game at 2-2 with just over six minutes remaining in the 3rd period and send the game to overtime.
In the extra frame, the Mustangs had difficulty on a line change which led to a Ridgebacks 3 on 0 which they would convert on to take the 3-2 win.
"Last night was the first time this season we saw a full 60 minute effort from the team this year I feel like," said Moxley "We've got into a bit of a habit of trying to come back in games in 3rd periods and we've been successful with it but we can't rely on that."
The Mustangs now head on the road next weekend to Toronto to take on the Ryerson Rams, puck drop is set for 2:15 pm from the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Fans can catch the action on OUA.tv.
