London, Ont. (October 4, 2008) – Melissa John of Unionville, Ont. backstopped the Gaels to a 4-0 victory over the Western Mustangs as the OUA women's hockey season started on Saturday.

John stopped all 29 shots from Western, with 22 of them coming in the second and third period. Western outshot the Gaels by nine shots and were unable to capitalize due to John's strong play.

Cassandra Sparks of Stoufville, Ont. was the offensive touch for the Gaels combining two goals and an assist for a three point effort. Becky Conroy of Pembroke, Ont. also added three points recording a goal and assisting on two.

Western was 0 for 10 on the power play while Queen's converted one of its seven power play chances. Conroy earned the powerplay goal with just three minutes left in the game slipping the fourth goal past Western's net-minder Danielle Le Ber of London, Ont. Queen's also had some success on the penalty kill as Kelsey Thomson of Martintown, Ont. opened the scoring shot handed in the first.

Queen's will play its second game of the season as it travels to Windsor tomorrow to take on the Lancers beginning at 4:10pm.

NOTES: Western had been vocal going into the match-up posting a YouTube video clip with a statement they were going to 'outwork' and 'out hustle' the Gaels. You can watch this clip at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04VZoub46KE