Following a tough loss to Toronto, the Mustangs are back at home this week to take on Windsor, Ottawa, and McGill in three crucial games as the Mustangs attempt to move into playoff position.
 
Western fell 5-2 to Toronto in a game that was closer than the final score appeared. Matt Marantz and Andrew Goldberg scored the goals for the purple and white.
 
Goldberg in particular has been on an offensive tear since the calendar turned to 2017. He has picked up one point in all four games Western has played, including goals in each of the last three. He now ranks fourth on the team with five goals.
 
Heading into the week, the Mustangs are in ninth in the West Division with 14 points and a 6-13-2 record. They are five points back of the final playoff spot that Waterloo currently owns, although the purple and white have a game in hand on the Warriors with seven regular season contests remaining.
 
Of course, before focusing on a playoff spot, the Mustangs need to concentrate on breaking their current five-game losing streak and picking up their first victory of 2017.
 
Western vs. Windsor – Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 P.M. – Tune in live on OUA.tv and CHRW Radio 94.9 FM
 
Their first opportunity will come Wednesday against fourth-place division foe Windsor, who, despite having a -16 goal differential, are just two games below .500 so far this season with an 11-11-2 record. One of those 11 wins came over the Mustangs, with the Lancers picking up a 4-1 victory at the South Windsor Arena back on October 22.
 
Expect special teams to play a big part in this game. Windsor has allowed the most powerplay goals in the OUA, while also drawing the second most powerplays. Meanwhile, Western is middle of the pack in goals allowed while shorthanded, but they have had issues staying out of the penalty box themselves.
 
The Lancers are lead by junior forward Dylan Denomme, who has recorded a team-high 16 assists and 19 points. Defenceman Todd Ratchford has also chipped in on offence, as he leads all Windsor defenders with six goals and 17 points.

Not only is Wednesday's matchup the first of three key games for the Mustangs, it's also part of the Bell Let's Talk Day events happening at Western. This year, student-athletes from 53 universities across Canada's four university sport conferences have teamed up to help grow the conversation and end the stigma around mental illness. Fans at the event will be able to add messages of support on Bell Let's Talk speech bubbles, as well as sign a large banner supporting mental health awareness.
  
Western vs. Ottawa – Friday, January 27 at 7:00 P.M. – Tune in live on OUA.tv and CHRW Radio 94.9 FM
 
Ottawa will be entering Thompson Arena as winners of six straight games in 2017, and the winning streak has never been in doubt. The Gee-gees have outscored their opponents 34-11 in that stretch, including two games with eight goals.
 
Kevin Domingue serves as Ottawa's foremost offensive threat. He is tied for third in the league with 14 goals, five of which have come during the Gee-gee's current winning streal.
 
Ottawa is a very solid team across the board, ranking no lower than 11^th in any major category. The Mustangs will have to be sharp for a full 60 minutes to pull out this victory in their lone game against Ottawa this season.
 
Western vs. McGill – Saturday, January 28 at 7:00 P.M. – Tune in live on OUA.tv and CHRW Radio 94.9 FM
 
Western concludes its home regular season schedule against the best team in the OUA. McGill is 17-4-2, good for 36 points and first place in the entire league.
 
The Redmen don't offer many weaknesses. They can beat you by scoring on you, as they did in their recent 5-2 victory, and they can win defensive battles too, with the third-ranked goals against average in the OUA with a 2.18 mark.
 
Forward Mathieu Pompei leads the OUA with 33 assists. Goalie Louis-Philip Guindon sports a 1.92 GAA and .928 save percentage. Both those marks are good for third in the league.
 
McGill leads the OUA with 38.1 shots per game and 29 powerplay goals, meaning the Mustangs will need sharp goaltending and disciplined play if they intend on pulling off the upset.