ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – A power play goal from Robert Polesello proved to be the difference as the Western Mustangs defeated the Brock Badgers 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Meridian Centre.
 
Polesello's goal was the Mustangs second power play marker of the day, with rookie defenceman Rylan Bechtel notching his first OUA goal on a power play in the opening period. Fellow first year Mitchell Brooks also picked up his first career goal, while Luke Karaim provided Western's other tally.
 
Greg Dodds picked up his first win of the year, making 29 saves in the contest. The Badgers used two netminders on Saturday, with Clint Windsor getting the start and making 13 saves in the first period, before Adam Beukeboom took over for the remaining two frames, turning aside 19 shots.
 
Brock opened the game's scoring, with a power play goal from Chris Maniccia a little under seven minutes into the first period.
 
Bechtel responded for the Mustangs with a power play goal of his own at 9:20, scoring off of an assist from Spenser Cobbold. The purple and white didn't wait long before making it a 2-1 contest, as Brooks scored just 26 seconds later to give Western its first lead of the game.
 
The Mustangs extended that lead early in the second, as Karaim converted assists from Connor Chartier and rookie Austin Adam to record his first goal of the season.
 
However, that lead wouldn't last long, as the Badgers fired back a little more than three minutes later with a goal from Adam Lloyd, before tying the game with a power play goal from Brody Silk at 11:05.
 
The second period's rapid scoring pace continued, with Western netting the game's final goal four minutes later, with Polesello recording the power play marker.
 
Next up for the Mustangs is the team's home opener on Friday, October 14, againt the Waterloo Warriors. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Thompson Arena, and fans can tune into all the action live on OUA.tv.