London, ON – It was a special night at Thompson Arena as the Mustangs celebrated their graduating senior players with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Queen's Gaels.
"I'm so happy we won our last game. Even though we aren't making the playoffs, I just love this team so much, and it was the perfect way to finish the season." said Gauthier.
The first period, the Mustangs wasted no time making an impact, striking just three minutes into the game as #24 Elizabeth Gauthier opened the scoring early, putting Western on the board and igniting the energy in the arena.
Queen's pushed to find the equalizer later in the period, but Western's defense held strong. The Mustangs gained confidence and began to play more aggressively, creating multiple shots on goal as the period progressed. With five minutes left in the frame, Western earned their first power-play opportunity. Gauthier netted her second of the night, assisted by #22 Haylie Kirkpatrick and #16 Janique LaBossiere, making the Mustangs' lead 2-0.
Right after the goal, Western went back on the power play, looking to increase their advantage. The Mustangs took their first penalty of the game shortly after, and Queen's capitalized on the power play to cut the lead to 2-1.
The period ended with Western holding a 2-1 advantage.
The second period, Queen's tied the game at 2-2 just 37 seconds in. But the Mustangs regained the lead at 17:48, as #58 Gabrielle Lehoux fired one past the Queen's goaltender to put Western ahead 3-2.
As momentum swung in Western's favor, they earned another power-play opportunity late in the period but couldn't extend their lead before the buzzer.
The third period, the Mustangs opened the final frame on the power play, eager to extend their advantage. However, history repeated itself just a minute later, as Queen's found the equalizer once again, tying the game 3-3. The Mustangs answered back when #77 Hillary Taylor scored her first OUA goal of the season, restoring Western's lead to 4-3. The goal was assisted by #22 Haylie Kirkpatrick.
A penalty against the Mustangs gave Queen's a power-play opportunity, but Western's penalty kill held strong, preventing another equalizer. Hat-trick hero #24 Elizabeth Gauthier sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:43, securing her third of the night.
"Honestly, at that point, I was just tired and wanted to get the puck out. But as soon as I touched it, the crowd started going, the bench was going," said Gauthier post-game "and I thought, 'Okay, I have to score this.' There was still one Queen's player there, but I knew it had to go in the net—there was no other option."
The Mustangs delivered an outstanding effort on Senior Night, celebrating their graduating players with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Queen's.
"I'm so pleased with this group. We had a tumultuous season, so seeing them come out tonight, play hard for each other, and battle together was incredible," said Mustangs Head Coach Candice Moxley "I'm just so proud of how they responded and putting up five goals, only the second time this season."
Key Stats
-- 1st --
Western - 3:10 - Elizabeth Gauthier ( Alyssa Wouda )
Western - 14:49 - PP - Elizabeth Gauthier ( Haylie Kirkpatrick & Janique LaBossiere )
-- 2nd --
Western - 17:48 - Gabrielle Lehoux ( Janique LaBossiere & Kate Suitor )
-- 3rd --
Western - 2:55 - Hillary Taylor ( Haylie Kirkpatrick )
Western - 19:43 - Elizabeth Gauthier ( Arnica Bulmer )
