LONDON, Ont. – Rookie netminder Anthony Grieco (Brampton, ON) was the key component in Western’s 3-0 win over the York Lions, earning a shutout on Oct. 16 at Thompson Arena.

Western’s goals were claimed by Kevin Baker (Georgetown, ON), Patrick Ouellet (Baie-Comeau, PQ), and Joe McCann (Essex, ON).

The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead early in the game after Jason Swit (Mississauga, ON) held the puck in at the offensive blue-line and pushed the puck past York’s defenceman to Yashar Farmanara (West Vancouver, BC) who hit a wide open Baker in front of the net. Baker released a quick one-timer past Lions goaltender David Davenport (Bradford, Ont.) at 2:11 of the first frame.

A York penalty only three minutes into the second frame presented Western with a key powerplay opportunity. Western was 0/2 on the powerplay in the first period, but Ouellet redirected Mustang defenceman Ryan Martinelli's (London, ON) shot from the point through Davenport’s legs to go 1/3 on the powerplay and increase the lead to 2-0.

Grieco has proved to be a motivating force for the Mustangs. He has allowed no goals against while turning aside 70 shots in the past two games. Head coach Clarke Singer said Grieco’s goaltending has been a key component in the success of the past two wins.

“Since he went in last night against Guelph he’s been fabulous, so we’ve got to keep riding the wave a little bit and keep hoping we get good goaltending from him and Keyvan,” Singer said. 

York outworked Western in the third period, outshooting them 17-5, but Western’s defence kept the Lions off the scoresheet. McCann earned Western’s third goal after the puck sat on the goal line and he was able to tap his own rebound in past Davenport.

Western (2-2) will host the Windsor Lancers on Thurs. Oct. 22 at Thompson Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. For more information please visit www.westernmustangs.ca.

BOX SCORE
Western 3, York 0
(Oct. 16, 2009 at Thompson Arena, London, Ont.)
1st Period
1.Western, Baker 1 (Farmanara, Swit), 2:11.
Penalties-Brooks Yor (slashing), 4:35; McCann Uwo (roughing), 13:35; Martinelli Uwo (cross checking), 16:21; Korte Yor (holding), 19:45.
2nd Period
2. Western, Ouellet 1 (Martinelli), 3:42 (pp). 
Penalties-Pain Yor (roughing), 2:53; Mole Uwo (holding), 4:57; Martinelli Uwo (high sticking), 13:16.
3rd Period
3. Western, McCann 1 (Furlong), 16:23. 
Penalties-Farmanara Uwo (interference), 11:33; Jones Yor (roughing), 13:54; Martinelli Uwo (roughing), 13:54; Snow Uwo (high sticking), 18:45; Messier Yor (tripping), 19:27.
Scoring By
Western 1 1 1 - 3
York  0 0 0 - 0
Shots on Goal By
Western 14-15-5-34
York 9-8-17-34
Powerplays: Western 1/4, York 0/6.
Goalies- Western, Grieco (W, 2-0-0-0, 34 saves on 34 shots). York, Davenport (L, 0-3-0-0, 31 saves on 34 shots).
Attendance: 104
Referee: Bill Waye
Linesmen: Brent Thompson, Pat Rozendal