The Brock Badgers' women's hockey team dropped a close 3-1 game against the Guelph Gryphons on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Canada Games Park.

Madelyn Walsh scored Brock's opener, which was the fourth-year defenceman's seventh goal of the regular season. Walsh is tied for first among defenders in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in goals. 

Just a minute into the action, Walsh's shot from the point fooled Gryphon's goaltender Sophie Helfenstein, as the Hammond Plains, NS product opened the scoring for the Badgers. Not long after, Guelph found a goal of their own through Jessica Kouleas. Late in the first period, the Gryphons took the lead through a tipped shot from the point, ultimately being credited to Hannah Tait. 

The Badgers earned their fair share of chances in the second period against Guelph, outshooting the Gryphons eight to five in the middle frame. The Badgers were successful in killing off a penalty midway through the second, limiting Guelph to nearly zero chances on the powe rplay. Brock almost found a tying goal after a shot from third-year forward Camie Matteau Rushbrook was rebounded out to multiple Badgers players but Guelph kept their one goal lead.

A goal from the Gryphons just minutes into the third period came from Maya Graham. The Badgers piled the pressure on late in the final frame as slot shots from third-year forward Madeline Nicholson and first-year forward Tyra Edl tested Helfenstein. With the net empty, Brock dominated possession of the puck late in the period but ultimately, Guelph walked away with a close win.

Up next, the Brock Badgers women's hockey team (8-12-1-4) will face off against the Windsor Lancers (7-11-1-5) in Windsor on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. Both teams are vying for the final playoff spot in the OUA West Division with a few games left in the season. You can follow along on OUA.tv.