LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs ended the UOIT Ridgebacks’ season after a 5-1 victory in the final game of the OUA West Quarterfinals on Feb. 21 at Thompson Arena. Western fell to the Ridgebacks in the first game of the best-of-three series on Feb. 17 before travelling to Oshawa, Ont., to tie the series 1-1, forcing a third deciding game that ended in favour of the Mustangs.  

Mustangs goals were scored by Keaton Turkiewicz (Brantford, Ont.), Ryan Martinelli (London, Ont.), Patrick Ouellet (Baie-Comeau, Que.), Adam Nemeth (Amherstburg, Ont.) and Jason Swit (Mississauga, ON). The Ridgebacks lone goal was notched by Derrick Bagshaw.

Turkiewicz, who is ranked as the fifth point leader overall in the OUA, opened the contest’s scoring after tipping Martinelli’s shot from the point past goaltender Jason Guy (Whitby, Ont.). Only two minutes later, the Mustangs attempted to set up their powerplay unit deep in the zone when Bagshaw came in and swiped the puck from behind Western’s net. Bagshaw made a pass out front to his linemate who released a shot that was blocked by Keyvan Hunt (Coquitlam, B.C.). Bagshaw grabbed the rebound and tied the game 1-1 after a deflection past Hunt.

The Mustangs fought to reclaim the goal that was stolen from them while up on a man-advantage. Only twenty seconds into the powerplay, Martinelli planted himself in front of Ridgeback’s goal and anticipated a point-shot from defenceman Scott Aarssen (London, Ont.). Martinelli redirected another shot past Guy to take the lead.

Western increased their momentum on a 2-on-2 attack when captain Luc Martin (St. Thomas, Ont.) made a swift pass across to Ouellet who walked around the UOIT defender and wired a low shot past Guy, taking a 3-1 lead to finish the first frame.

The second period became a battle of back-and-forth opportunities without any goals until forward Yashar Farmanara (West Vancouver, B.C.) made a clear pass from behind the net out to defenceman Nemeth who roofed a shot over Guy’s shoulder.

Swit scored the Mustangs fifth goal in the last minute of play in the third period on a shot from the point to overtake the UOIT Ridgebacks.  

Hunt turned aside 28 saves for a crucial victory, the entire Mustangs roster aiding in the blocking of shots.

The Western Mustangs will host the Windsor Lancers on Wednesday Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Thompson Arena for the first game of the OUA West Semifinal series. 

Click here to order tickets. Game 2 goes Friday Feb. 26 in Windsor at 7 p.m. at Windsor Arena with Game 3, if necessary, back at Thompson Arena on Sunday Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.