The Western Mustangs have been successful in their late-season playoff push, winning their last five games in a row and control their own fate in the OUA playoff race. With one game remaining in the season, the purple and white can secure a playoff spot with a victory (overtime or regulation) or a Brock loss in either of their last two games.

The Mustangs extended their winning streak over the weekend, coming out on top in two hard-fought games against Laurier and UOIT. Despite struggling to score in their most recent outings and being the lowest ranked team in the OUA, the Golden Hawks forced a shootout against the Mustangs courtesy of a two-goal performance by Emily Woodhouse. Western forwards Tia Kipfer and Rachel Armstrong scored in succession in the shootout while Katie Jacobs turned aside both attempts she faced to secure the victory.

Western then delivered an inspired performance against the Ridgebacks the following day, coming away with a 3-1 win. The day was especially special for the graduating players as they were honoured before the game as part of Senior Day. The Mustangs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by freshman Alyssa Chiarello and defenceman Brianna Rice before a late second period goal by Ridgeback captain Jenna Carter gave some momentum to UOIT heading into the third period. The final frame was nip and tuck until the final two minutes when Western earned a power play opportunity and team captain Emma Pearson scored to put the game out of reach.

Western Mustangs at Queen's Gaels – Saturday, February 18 @ 7 p.m. at the Napanee Arena – Watch live on OUA.tv

By the time the puck drops on Saturday's game the Mustangs may already have a playoff berth secured, but in such a tightly contested division seeding is not being taken for granted.

"Even though we may clinch a playoff spot before then, it's still going to be important to see if we can get higher up in the standings because we're so close right now," said Pearson on Sunday.

The Mustangs and the Gaels are currently one point apart in the standings with Western slightly edging out Queen's for fifth place. With four other teams currently able to surpass them in the standings and facing the possibility of missing the playoffs altogether, the Mustangs will not take this game for granted, especially against a rival and highly ranked opponent such as Queen's.

The two teams faced each other earlier in the month with Western prevailing by a score of 6-3 at the Thompson Arena. The loss snapped an eight-game winning steak for the Gaels, the first of three straight losses before prevailing over the Lions this past weekend. During their eight-game win streak, the Gaels allowed less than two goals per game and they shut out the Lions in their most recent match so their defence will once again present a tall task for the Mustangs. Their penalty kill has also successfully held their opponents scoreless on 11 of their 12 most recent power play opportunities.

As previously mentioned, the Mustangs secure a playoff berth with a victory of a Brock loss against the Gaels or the Toronto Varsity Blues, so expect the Mustangs to give the Gaels another stern test come Saturday night.