TORONTO, Ontario — The Mustangs started the 2026 OUA season with a 3-2 road win over York on Friday night.
The Mustangs scored once in each period and converted 2 of 5 power-play chances.
Western converted the first power-play chance of the opening period, with Madeleine Rai scoring at 4:58 off assists from Claire Stewart and Leah Barnard for the game's first goal. The opportunity came after a York body-checking penalty at 3:15, and Western broke through 1:43 into the advantage. Later, after Sadie Mulligan was called for body-checking at 8:44, the Mustangs killed the full two-minute York power play and returned to even strength at 10:44. That penalty kill preserved the only scoring in the period, and Western reached the first intermission ahead 1-0.
The Mustangs built on their advantage early in the second period when Haylie Kirkpatrick scored on the power play at 4:40, with Sadie Allen assisting, to put Western ahead 2-0. York answered during Kate Martin's tripping penalty, converting 10 seconds into its power play on a Lola Massey goal. Western faced another penalty kill late after Leah Barnard was called for cross-checking at 17:00, and York tied the game 2-2 on Ginger Fast's power-play goal at 17:44. The period ended with Western and York level at 2-2 after the Mustangs were outscored 2-1 in the frame.
Sara Forwell scored the only goal of the third at 15:28, finishing a Western chance set up by Lacey Larmand and Emma Campbell. Earlier, the Mustangs handled a York power play after Alana Tymochko was called for holding at 4:44, with the penalty ending at 6:44. Western also drew York penalties at 1:12 and 7:53 to create power-play opportunities of its own. York was held scoreless in the frame, and the Mustangs finished the period ahead 3-2.
MUSTANGS KEY STATS
Sara Forwell
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- 1 goal
- game-winning goal
Madeleine Rai
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- 1 goal
- 1 power-play goal
Haylie Kirkpatrick
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- 1 goal
- 1 power-play goal
Presley Daschuk
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- 22 saves
- 2 goals allowed
NEXT GAME
Western heads north for their second game on the weekend on Saturday night (Oct. 17). The Mustangs travel to North Bay, to face the Nipissing Lakers, game time is 7 p.m. Fans can catch the action on OUA.tv.
