LONDON, Ont. – Joe McCann (Essex, Ont.) scored Western’s only goal as the Mustangs fell 2-1 to the UOIT Ridgebacks in the first game of a best-of-three OUA West quarter-final series on Feb. 17 at Thompson Arena.

Ridgebacks goals were scored by Tony Rizzi (Kingston, Ont.) and Josh Vatri (Barrie, Ont.).

McCann opened the contest’s scoring after linemate Patrick Lee (Sharon, Ont.) worked the puck through Ridgebacks defender, leaving an open left wing lane. McCann wired a shot over the shoulder of UOIT goaltender Jason Guy (Whityby, Ont.) to take an early 1-0 lead.

Western held the lead for the remainder of the first frame, however the Ridgebacks adjusted their game starting the second period and after a Mustangs penalty, UOIT’s powerplay attack dominated Western’s zone. The Mustangs could not fend off the attack and Rizzi buried a rebound past Western goaltender Keyvan Hunt (Coquitlam, B.C.) to tie the game.

The Ridgebacks were presented with another powerplay opportunity and Vatri jumped on an open puck, beating Hunt and putting UOIT up 2-1. UOIT was 2/4 for powerplay opportunities while Western struggledat 0/7. Despite the Mustangs efforts, the powerplay unit could not get the puck rolling in their favour.

The third period proved to be a difficult challenge for Western. Although the Mustangs outshot the Ridgebacks 13-5 in the final frame, Guy robbed Western on any scoring opportunities and earned himself the win. Western outshot the Ridgebacks 37-22. 

Head coach Clarke Singer said despite the disappointing loss they hope to rebound for a victory in Friday night’s must-win Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Oshawa, Ont.

“We’re going to have to try and make some adjustments for the game on Friday,” said Singer.

Game 3 if necessary returns to London, Ont., and Thompson Arena on Sunday Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. 

Other OUA Playoff Results
Western Conference
Series A
UOIT 2 at Western 1 - UOIT leads series 1-0.
 
Series B
Windsor 4 at Waterloo 2 - Windsor leads series 1-0.
 
Series C
Lakehead 2 at York 3 (2 OT) - York leads series 1-0.
 
Series D
Guelph vs Wilfrid Laurier - Series begins on Thursday, February 18.
 
Eastern Conference
Series E
Concordia 2 at Trois-Rivieres 6 - Trois-Rivieres leads series 1-0.
 
Series F
Nipissing 1 at McGill 4 - McGill leads series 1-0.
 
Series G
Ryerson 6 at Toronto 0 - Ryerson leads series 1-0.
 
Series H
Queen's 4 at Carleton 3 (2 OT) - Queen's leads sereis 1-0.

BOX SCORE
Western 1, UOIT 2
(Feb 17, 2010 - Thompson Arena, London, Ont.)
1st Period-1, Western, McCann 1 (Lee, Swit), 6:32.
Penalties-Piva Uwo (boarding, game misconduct), 13:59.
2nd Period-2, UOIT, Rizzi 1 (Baker, Spaling), 8:25 (pp). 3, UOIT, Vatri 1 (Noyes), 14:52 (pp).
Penalties-Varty Uoit (hooking), 5:22; Baker Uwo (tripping), 7:20; McCullough Uoit (hooking), 9:39; served by Bagshaw Uoit (too many men), 10:07; McCann Uwo (slashing), 13:31; Wetering Uoit (interference), 15:18; Baker Uoit (tripping), 17:51; Baker Uwo (tripping), 19:00; Vatri Uoit (tripping), 19:15.
3rd Period- No Scoring.
Penalties-Rizzi Uoit (high sticking), 5:29.
Scoring By        1    2    3    T
Western            1    0    0    1
UOIT                 0    2    0    2
Shots on Goal    1    2    3    T
Western            11    13    13    37
UOIT                 7    10        5    22
Powerplays: UOIT 2/4; Western 0/7.
Goalies-UOIT, Guy (W, 1-0-0, 36 saves on 37 shots). Western, (L, Hunt 0-1-0, 20 saves on 22 shots.
Referees-Sean Reid.
Linesmen- Luke Murray, Chris Thornton