Box Score In what can only be called an epic battle, the Lancers lost a heartbreak 3-2 decision in quadruple overtime to the Guelph Gryphons in game 3 of their OUA quarter-final series.
 
Unfortunately for the blue and gold, the loss brings an end to their impressive 2022-23 season, while the Gryphons move on to the OUA semi-finals against the Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
STATS
Kristen Swiatoschik was sensational in net making an incredible 70 saves over 135:08 minutes of hockey.
 
Maggi DeWolf-Russ scored her first goal of the post season, while Emily Eikelboom added the second marker.  
 
Alexie Olivier and Jaime Magoffin scored for the hosts in regulation while captain Hannah Tait scored the overtime game winner. Gryphon goaltender Martina Fedel made 44 saves in the net throughout the course of the game.
 
GAME FLOW
After dropping game two in Windsor on Saturday, the Lancers came out strong looking to take an early lead in the game. However, it was Olivier who lit up the lamp first, giving the Gryphons a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
 
In the second period, the Lancers wasted no time getting themselves on the scoreboard. Jessica Gribbon was able to connect with DeWolf-Russ who shot the puck into an open net behind Fedel and even the game at one. With twelve minutes remaining in the frame, the Gryphons were awarded a penalty shot but Swiatoschik shut down Tori Verbeek's attempt. Windsor took their first lead of the game at 10:54 of the period when Eikelboom scored her second goal of the post season on the powerplay to put Windsor up 2-1 heading into what everyone thought was the final twenty minutes.  
 
The third frame saw the Gryphons make multiple attempts to find the equalizer, yet Swiatoschik was a brick wall in net stopping all shots that came her way. Guelph was able to get past the Lancer goaltender with 49 seconds remaining on the clock when they pulled their goaltender in favour of the extra attacker, and Magoffin snuck it past Swiatoschik to send the game into extra time for the second time in the series.
 
Throughout all 75 minutes of overtime, Swiatoschik continued to stand on her head keeping the Gryphons at bay, while Fedel also put on quite a display to keep the Lancers off the scoreboard. Eventually, the Gryphons caught a break as Tait notched the game winner on Swiatochik's glove side to give Guelph the 3-2 win and advance the hosts to the OUA semi-finals.
 
The Lancers would like to thank the fans and Lancer family for their continued support and dedication throughout the 2022-23 season. Stay tuned to goLancers.ca for updates on the blue and gold throughout the off-season.