LONDON, ON – The Western Mustangs women's hockey team closed their season with a 5–2 victory over the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday night at Thompson Arena. It was a night filled with emotion, gratitude, and pride as Western celebrated its senior class and finished the year with one of their strongest performances.
Western started the game with steady puck possession and built momentum until the breakthrough came. At 6:56, #16 Janique LaBossiere opened the scoring off a setup from #5 Avry Pedersen and #19 Kate Suitor. The home crowd erupted again less than four minutes later when Suitor buried a chance at 10:22, assisted by #12 Mackenzie Lizotte and #17 Alana Tymochko, giving Western a 2–0 lead after a composed first period.
Western carried that spark into the second period. Just 30 seconds in, #94 Lacey Larmand scored on the power play after a sharp feed from #22 Haylie Kirkpatrick. Nipissing responded with goals at 7:40 and 10:23, trimming the lead to one, but the Mustangs pushed back. #51 Adeline Kristoff restored the two goal cushion at 12:23 on a play finished alongside Suitor and Lizotte. Western added one more before the buzzer at 18:02 when #10 Leah Barnard scored on the power play with assists from LaBossiere and Kirkpatrick. The Mustangs entered the third ahead 5–2.
The final period brought no scoring but plenty of heart. Western defended with structure and discipline, blocked shots, and leaned on a calm and focused final performance from #1 Ella Brabrook, who finished her senior night with 25 saves. With every shift, the bench and crowd honored the eight departing seniors: #71 Emma Campbell, #5 Avry Pedersen, #51 Adeline Kristoff, #96 Kayla Peddle, #22 Haylie Kirkpatrick, #8 Kate Martin, #37 Presley Daschuk, and #1 Ella Brabrook. When the buzzer sounded, the team celebrated a meaningful win that reflected everything this group has built.
After the game, Head Coach Brittany Howard spoke about what this season meant and what she saw from her team.
"I think that belief in the group is the biggest thing," Howard said. "It is not easy to build, but they grew every single week. Today the message was to have fun, play free, and remember why they love hockey. Senior night is special, and they deserved to enjoy every moment."
She also reflected on how this season sets up the future.
"We got better every single week and that is going to carry into next year," Howard said. "Our freshmen played big minutes and that experience is going to be huge. We are privileged to be at Western and I hope we continue to build something that lasts."
Brabrook, who earned Second Star in her final OUA game, shared how meaningful this season was to her.
"Honestly, just being with the team and getting the opportunity to play more this year is what I am most proud of," she said. "My first few years were tough, but I worked my way here and got to be part of some big wins. Senior night is a roller coaster of emotions, but you try to stay focused until the buzzer and then everything hits you."
She also offered advice to the players who will return next year.
"It sounds cliché, but it goes by so fast," Brabrook said. "Enjoy every moment, work hard every day, even when it is tough. It pays off. I just hope I left a positive impact, especially on the younger goalies."
The Mustangs finish their season with a performance full of effort, joy, and pride. In a year of growth and adversity, they closed it out together and gave their seniors a night they will remember for the rest of their lives.
