Box Score The Western Mustangs men's hockey team faced local rivals Windsor Lancers tonight in an action-packed home game, ending in the Lancers' favour. After a game of back and forth chances, the Mustangs responded to all but one of Windsor's goals, leaving the score at 5-4 for the visiting team.

Rookie John Cullen had his debut in net and faced 40 Windsor shots. D.J. Turner beat Cullen and gave the Lancers the opening goal shortly into the first period, and from then on scoring didn't stop. Shots on goal finished at 45-40 for Windsor, and three goals found the back of the net each period.

Mustang Adam Stoykewych scored Western's first goal halfway into the first to quickly tie the game 1-1, but the Lancers regained their edge and ended the opening period at 2-1. 

In the second, Mustang leader Zach Harnden continued his offensive prowess with an answer to tie the game. Steve Reese and rookie Dan Erlich earned assists on the play. This is Harnden's fifth goal of the year in four games, placing him second in the OUA rankings. His past North American playing experience and current leadership so far are assets to the Mustangs` forward lines this season. 

Forward Matt Clarke gave Western the second period edge off a powerplay goal late into the period. Clarke`s agressive play at centre complimented Reese and Erlich, as they repeated assists and showed their team chemistry throughout the game. The teams held a 3-3 tie after the second and regrouped to decide the go-ahead goal in the third.

The final period started off the opening play as Turner scored his second goal of the game and put the Lancers ahead from the get go. Rookie Matt Marantz followed up in the same minute, however, taking advantage of an unprepared Windsor defense line and beat Lancer goalie Parker Van Buskirk. 

Penalty trouble got in the way of the Mustangs` victory in the third, as rookie defensemen David Corrente went to the box twice -- the first offence for holding and second for tripping. The Lancers capitalized on the powerplay and Steve Ferry gave the final straw to Windsor. 

Windsor went two for four on powerplays as oppose to the Mustangs` one for four effort. Shaun and Jason Furlong added three assists between the two of them.

The Mustangs now prepare for a northern Ontario road trip to Thunder Bay to take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves for back to back games, followed by a visit to the Nippissing Lakers. The team returns home November 9 to challenge closest rivals McGill Redman, Western`s nemesis at the 2012 OUA and CIS championships. The highly-anticipated game starts at 7pm November 9 at Thompson Arena.