Toronto, ON – The Western Women's hockey team travelled to Toronto on Saturday afternoon where they topped Toronto Metropolitan University 3-2 for their first road win of the season.
Western came in looking to bounce back after a 5-0 road loss to Nipissing Friday night while Toronto looked to snap their six-game losing streak.
Western scored two goals in the first and exchanged goals with TMU in the second. The Bold scored the only goal of the third period as the game finished 3-2.
Reese Whiteman put up two goals in the win, while Janique LaBossiere also added a tally to the scoresheet. Avry Pedersen had two assists on the night. The purple and white outshot the Bold 39-28.
The Mustangs got off to a hot start thanks to some early pressure that resulted in two goals within the opening five minutes, putting the game in their control.
The first came courtesy of Reese Whiteman at 2:48, while Janique LaBossiere netted one of her own at 5:05 off the rebound for a backdoor goal. Avry Pedersen picked up assists on both goals.
Western found themselves on the powerplay three times in the period, all coming in the latter half, but were unable to add to their lead. The penalty kill came up strong as the Bold got their own chance with the extra attacker with the purple and white preventing the hosts from cutting into their lead.
The 'Stangs started the second period with 46 seconds remaining on the powerplay, however it was the Bold who found the back of the net for a shorthanded goal in the opening minute.
The purple and white found themselves back on the powerplay minutes later, but the Bold were successful in keeping them to the outside as Western continued to look for high danger chances.
Netminder Brooke Vaccari put up some solid saves to prevent the hosts from tying things up before Whiteman netted her second of the game around the halfway mark.
Kate Martin found herself at the point but opted to pass to Whiteman for an easy tap in goal, as the Mustangs restored their two-goal lead. Gabrielle Lehoux also picked up a point on the goal.
Whiteman's hot hand almost found the back of the net again as she searched for the hattrick, but the score stayed the same as the period ended 3-1 in favour of the 'Stangs.
Western started the final frame with a lot of pressure, keeping the play in the Bold's zone.
With just over ten minutes remaining in the game, the Mustangs took a cross-checking penalty in their own zone. TMU took advantage of the opportunity and found the back of the net through the five-hole to pull within one.
With two minutes remaining, the 'Stangs took another penalty to give TMU the man advantage for the remainder of the game. Moments into the penalty kill, Western took another penalty as the Bold pulled their goalie for six on three.
Vaccari and strong defense from Western secured the win as they held on for the last minute and a half six on three, walking away with the hard-fought 3-2 win.
With the win Western improves to 5-5 on the season, while TMU falls to 1-10.
The Mustangs return to action at home on Thursday, November 23
rd for a 7pm tilt against the Brock Badgers. Tickets can be purchased at westernmustangs.ca/tickets. Students get FREE admission to all regular season on-campus games with their Western ONECard.
