KINGSTON, Ont. (November 21, 2015) - The Queen's Gaels (7-1-2-1) suffered their first home loss of the season at the hands of the No.5 Western Mustangs (8-0-3-0) by a score of 4-1 on Saturday night at the Memorial Centre in Kingston.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels were the first to get a scoring chance early on in the period. A point shot from Danelle Bishoff (Calgary) was deflected in front by a Gael but Mustang starting goaltender Kelly Campbell (St. Thomas, Ont.) was able to see it and turn the puck aside for the save. Only a few minutes later it was Western with their first real chance of the game as they broke in on a two on one, Kendra Broad was able to beat Gaels starting netminder Caitlyn Lahonen (Saskatoon) but she could not beat the post.

Western kept the pressure on the Queen's but it was Lahonen coming up big for the Gaels. A puck bounced in front to a Western forward for a wide open chance but Lahonen was able to push off to her left and make an incredible glove save keeping the game scoreless.
 

MUST SEE - WHKY - @CaitlynLahonen makes a huge glove save mid-way through the first against Western #ChaGheill pic.twitter.com/AXqeQFkJFp

— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) November 22, 2015

The Mustang special teams unit took over from there in the opening period as they struck on back-to-back opportunities. First, it was Broad redeeming herself firing a puck over the shoulder of Lahonen. Next, Western got a few lucky bounces and the puck found its way in off a Gael from behind the net to make it 2-0 for the Mustangs. Ali Beres got credit for the goal, her first of the season.

The Gaels got their first powerplay of the game early in the second period but could not muster any real scoring chances as Campbell held strong between the pipes.

The bounces continued to go the Mustangs way as Broad broke in down the left wing and fired a high shot that Lahonen saved but the puck bounced straight up and fell behind the Gaels goaltender hitting her back and falling into the net to give Western a 3-0 lead and Broad her second of the game.

The Gaels got on the board in the final period with a powerplay goal. Katrina Manoukarakis (Scarborough, Ont.) scored her sixth goal of the season off a tip in from a shot fired by Taryn Pilon (Peterborough, Ont.). Addi Halladay (North Augusta, Ont.) picked up the second helper on the goal.

It was too little too late for the Gaels as the Mustangs sealed a win with an empty net goal taking the game 4-1.

FINAL SAY
"I thought we played a pretty solid game," said head coach Matt Holmberg. "We didn't get any bounces and their powerplay was able to capitalize early which certainly gave them some life. Even after their third goal our players kept battling and there was no grumbling on the bench, everyone kept pushing until the final second. It just shows me we are amongst the leagues elite and hopefully next Friday we can return the favour."

BY THE NUMBERS
2 - 1st period powerplay goals for Western
5 - National ranking for the defending CIS Champion Mustangs
24 - Number of points this season for each team, tying them atop the OUA
8 - Game point streak for Manoukarakis. She has 13 points this season which is tops in the OUA

UP NEXT
The Gaels will travel to London for a rematch with the No.5 Mustangs next Friday night at 7pm.