Box Score LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs lost their series edge over the Laurier Golden Hawks, as the Golden Hawks defeated the Mustangs 2-0 in game two of the best-of-three series. With the win, the series now sits at 1-1.
 
The Golden Hawks were good enough to get two shots past Western on a total of 46, giving them the win and extending the series to a third and deciding game.
           
After the first game, which the Mustangs won 2-0, Laurier knew Western was not the same team as last year, so a new sense of urgency came out early from the Golden Hawks. With the shots piling up in Laurier’s favour, Western would rely on their goalie, Kelly Campbell to prevent an early Laurier lead. Both teams would be given lengthy power play opportunities due to head contact penalties, but both teams failed to seize any chances in the first. However, Laurier held the edge in shots on net, outshooting Western 17-5.

Western knew they would have to step up their game against Laurier in order to find success in the offensive end, while Laurier knew they had to play with everything they had in order to extend their postseason.
 
Early in the second, Western was called for a penalty, and the Golden Hawks wouldn’t waste the opportunity. Golden Hawks’ Brittany Crago would score on the power play with an assist from Devon Skeats to give the Hawks the 1-0 lead. Down by one, Western struggled to muster any dangerous chances with most of their shots missing the net.
 
In the dying seconds of the frame Laurier’s Jessie Hurrell would score, assisted by Candice Styles and Emily Kekewich. The late Laurier goal would give them the 2-0 advantage over the Mustangs with only one period left to play.

With the score tilted in Laurier’s favour, the Mustangs had to overcome not only a strong offensive unit, but also had to spark their own offensive as well. With the shot total low in Western’s column, the Mustangs needed to spend more time in Laurier’s end if they had any chance at victory.
 
Their chance came when halfway through the third they went on the five-on-three advantage. Howerve, the Mustangs failed to get the puck past Laurier goalie, Erica Thunder. Western would also receive penalties later in the frame, placing them in a difficult position to make a comeback.
 
As time ran out the Mustangs' last minute chances were not enough to beat the Laurier Golden Hawks.
           
The Mustangs and Golden Hawks will settle their series Sunday February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Waterloo.