London, ON- The Mustangs drop a 1-0 loss to the Golden Hawks in a Shootout. A nail-biting game goes to a shootout as both teams put up an amazing battle, but ends in favour of the Golden Hawks.

The first period starts out with great back and forth action on the ice, immediately from the puck drop. Both teams clearly putting their all into the game right out of the gate with multiple scoring opportunities in both zones. The Mustangs dominating more so in the beginning of the first period as the team keeps the puck in the Golden Hawk's zone for the majority of the period. Many great scoring opportunities are seen during the first, resulting from the pressure being put on by the Mustangs, yet the board remains at 0's at the end of the first half of the period. As the Golden Hawks feel the stress from the Mustangs, they take multiple rushes into the Mustangs end in the second half of the first. Although, all shots from these rushes were shut down by Mustangs goalie, Kaitlyn Booth. The first penalty is seen with 4 minutes left in the first period from Western's Emma Campbell for tripping. With the advantage of the power play, the momentum of the game is reversed as the Golden Hawks apply pressure in the Mustangs end. With 1 minute left in the first period, the Golden Hawks take a delay of game penalty which leave the Mustangs with a power play starting the second period. The first period comes to an end with the score remaining at 0-0.

The second period starts the Mustangs off with a one player advantage, but the Mustangs don't capitalize on the power play. Shortly after the Golden Hawks penalty ends, another one is taken by the Golden Hawks for hooking, giving the Mustangs several scoring opportunities, but as the 2 minutes come to end, the score remains tied at 0 as the Golden Hawks kill off the penalty. The theme of penalties continues as the Mustangs take one for goalie interference with half the second period left, yet their penalty kill restricts the Golden Hawks from putting themselves on the scoreboard. The second half of the second period has the same back and forth action as was seen in the first period, both teams eager to break the tie, but the second period comes to an end with the score remaining the same.

The third period starts off with the Mustangs dominating the game. The possible goal opportunities are countless during the first half of the period, with much action in front of the Golden Hawks net. Head Coach, Candice Moxley states, "I thought we had possession of the puck for a good percentage of the game, again, opportunities that we didn't capitalize on. When you let a team like Laurier hang in there, you're giving them a chance, so unfortunately we weren't able to get enough pucks on net." Towards the end of the period, the Mustangs take a penalty for hooking, but they play through the penalty leaving the score the same, 0-0. Serious nail-biting action during the last two minutes of the third period coming from both teams as the clock ticks down to zero. The Mustangs take a penalty for hooking that will remain for the rest of the third period, giving the Golden Hawks a one player advantage to finish off the third period, not an ideal situation. Although, with the Mustangs penalty kill, along with Booth's goal tending, overtime is the result of the third period as the score remains 0-0.

Overtime starts with 40 seconds remaining the in Mustangs penalty from the third period, with four Golden Hawks against three Mustangs. Shortly into overtime, the Mustangs take a penalty for goalie interference, this is their fifth penalty of the night. Moxley says, "We've been taking a lot of penalties in our last few games and I would've challenged a few of the ones tonight, so that was unfortunate that we ended up in the situation we did, especially late in the game." Soon after, the Golden Hawks take a penalty for too many players on the ice. With the previous Mustangs penalty ending, and the new Golden Hawks penalty, the Mustangs now have a one player advantage and are looking to end the game here, but they don't capitalize on the opportunities. With two minutes left of overtime, we have an even amount of players on the ice, back to three on three. Overtime comes to an end as the score remains the same, 0-0. Now, we go to a shootout.

The Golden Hawks take the first shot, scoring. Mustangs are up next, and unfortunately miss the score opportunity. The Golden Hawks up next, scoring again. The tally is now 2-0 Golden Hawks. Mustangs for their second shot, scoring as well, keeping themselves in the game. But, for the winning game goal, the Golden Hawks score, ending the game there.

A nail-biting, great battle from both teams ends in favour of the Golden Hawks in a shootout.

The Mustangs next game will be in the new year against the Guelph Gryphons on January 6th, 2023 at 1:30pm. Be sure to check out the live action of that game at OUA.tv.