Box Score LONDON, Ont. — Saturday marked the final game of the regular season as the Mustangs hosted the Windsor Lancers. Tonight was also the Mustangs senior night honouring senior 'Stangs, Tyler Cuthbert, Geoff Killing, Andrew Eastman, Brandon Greenside and captain Jason Furlong.  Both teams were looking to end losing streaks and pick up some momentum heading into the post season.

Making his fourth start between the pipes for the Mustangs was John Cullen, who had not started since before Christmas break. Cullen looked sharp and stopped 40 shots in a losing effort against the Lancers.

After the game Mustangs head coach Patrick Powers commended Cullen’s play.

“He played outstanding, “said Coach Powers. He went on to praise Cullen’s hard work in practice as well as his strong play in the game. “He (Cullen) was the reason we actually had a chance to win tonight.”

The Mustangs started the game off slowly taking two penalties early in the first to contribute to their game total six penalties. Following the second penalty forwards Daniel Erlich and Zach Harnden were sprung on a two-on-one with Harden scoring his 21st goal of the season with assists from Erlich and Eastman.  The Lancers had some good chances, but were unable to capitalize allowing the Mustangs to kill off all four penalties with strong play from Cullen as well as the penalty-killing unit.

The Lancers did, however, score two even strength goals near the end of the period. The first goal was scored by Derek Lanoue and the second goal was scored by Dan Reaume and assisted by Josh Graves. Not to be out done the Mustangs responded at the end of the period with a goal from Adam Stoykewych assisted by Adam McKee and Shaun Furlong to close out the period tied 2-2.

In the second both teams came out flying looking to break the tie, but with no luck. The Lancers had two power play opportunities in the period but were held off the scoreboard by the Mustangs. Both teams had scoring chances, but neither team was able to capitalize.

Cullen continued his strong play in the third frame standing tall and slamming the door on several of the Lancers scoring chances. However, in the later stages of the third the Lancers broke the tie with a goal from forward Matt Beaudoin assisted by Kenny Bradford and Reaume.

Unfortunately, for the Mustangs the third Lancers goal would prove to be the game-winning goal. The Mustangs poured it on in the last five minutes hoping to send the game to overtime, but were unable to beat the Windsor netminder Parker Van Buskirk who stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced, as the Lancers defeated the Mustangs 3-2.

Up next for the Mustangs is the first round of the playoffs, more information will be provided as first round match ups and game times are released. Check out www.westernmustangs.ca for more information.