London, ON- The Mustangs lose to the Gryphons 3-0 in their first game of the 2023 season.

The Western Mustangs Women's first game of the 2023 season starts out with the Guelph Gryphons dominating in the Mustangs end, putting the Mustangs on their heels. Realizing this, the Mustangs start applying more pressure in the Gryphons zone getting their first shot on Martina Fedel, the Gryphons goalie well into the first period. Nearing the second half of the first period, a power play opportunity for the Mustangs comes, but no goal comes from it. Thus far, it seems the teams are simply getting comfortable with one another and getting back into gear after the break. Booth is playing an amazing game as pucks are shot at her constantly from the Gryphons offence. Come the end of the first period, there is much more back and forth action between the teams paired with many scoring opportunities for both teams, but the game remains with no score.

The second period starts off with both teams eager to get on the score board. The Gryphons get their third penalty of the game creating a chance for the Mustangs to get the first goal of the game, although that chance is taken away as the Mustangs get a penalty and it is a 4 on 4 game. Both penalties come to an end and the amount of players returns to 5 on 5 with no change in score. The Mustangs receive a penalty for cross checking, and with this opportunity, the Gryphons put themselves on the board with the opening goal of the game, the score comes to 1-0 Gryphons. The second period ends with the Mustangs down 1-0 to the Gryphons and the shots on goal favouring the Gryphons, 9-1.

With the Mustangs anxious to tie up the game, the third period starts with both teams applying pressure in each others end. Nearing the end of the first half of the third period, off the draw of a faceoff in the Mustangs end, the Gryphons get a quick, surprising goal from a swing around shot which advances the score to 2-0 Gryphons. A head contact penalty for the Gryphons gives the Mustangs 4 minutes of ice time to change up this 2-0 game. The Mustangs create several goal opportunities in the Gryphons' end but Fedel, the Gryphons goalie, stands strong at the Gryphons net and does not allow for a Mustangs puck to hit the back of the net. Soon after the penalty is killed by the Gryphons, a top shelf goal from the Gryphons hits the Mustangs net increasing their lead to 3-0. With a minute left to go in the game, the Mustangs are fighting to get a goal but aren't receiving any luck in doing so. The game ends with a 3-0 win for the Guelph Gryphons.

The Mustangs next game will be tomorrow, January 7th, against the Laurier Golden Hawks at 7:00pm. Be sure to check out the live action of that game at OUA.tv.