LONDON, Ont. - Steve Reese notched two goals as the Western Mustangs defeated the Windsor Lancers 4-1 on Feb.17 in the first game of a best-of-three series. Reese is ranked fifth among OUA rookie scorers with 17 goals and 13 assists.

Kyle Lamb added a goal and Julian Cimadamore potted an empty net goal for the Mustangs while Kyle Nishizaki scored the only Lancers goal.

As playoff hockey got underway at Thompson Arena, both teams battled hard in the first 20 minutes, establishing a quick pace and a physical contest. With five minutes left in the first period, the Lancers struggled to clear the puck out of their zone. Reese cradled the puck and tucked Western’s first goal past goaltender Jim Watt (Edmonton).

Just two minutes into the second frame, Watt misplayed the puck off the side of the net and Reese skated in, pressuring the goalie. As Reese skated past the net, he reached for the puck and slipped it past Watt to put Western up 2-0.

Back-and-forth play continued as Windsor was called for three infractions and Western for two. On the man-advantage, the Mustangs pressured the Lancers and a scrum in front of the net ensued. Both teams tried to get their stick on the puck and after at least four whacks, Western prevailed to increase their lead by three.

The Lancers started the third period shorthanded, but got the puck deep in Mustangs territory off the first face-off. Western could not clear the puck as two Windsor players attacked offensively. Nishizaki beat Mustangs netminder Anthony Grieco for a 3-1 game and 19 minutes left to play.

Western played well defensively, backed by Grieco who made 31 saves for the win. The Mustangs held the Lancers off and Cimadamore’s empty net goal completed the match at 4-1.

Western will travel to Windsor tomorrow Feb. 18 for Game 2 of the series. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.