THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Two goals from Anthony Stefano, including the overtime winner, led the Western Mustangs to their sixth consecutive win with a 3-2 victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens.
 
The win gives Western a 10-9-2 record, and puts the Mustangs one point behind the 10-8-3 Thunderwolves for sixth place in the OUA West standings.
 
Stefano's two goals were his fifth and sixth markers of the season, and put the freshman forward into a tie for third among all Western players. Mitchell Brooks joined Stefano on the scoresheet, notching his fourth goal of the year.
 
Luke Peressini got the win in net for the purple and white, turning aside 40 of the 42 shots sent his way, while Devin Green made 34 stops in the loss.
 
An early goal from Austin McDonald put Lakehead up on the board just over two minutes into the contest, setting up the back and forth pace for the rest of the game.
 
The first period finished with an even playing field going into the second frame with a goal from Brooks in the 17th minute.
 
A loose puck allowed Lakehead to take the lead late in the second period on a goal from Brennen Dubchak, but the Mustangs refused to end the period on a deficit. With less than two minutes left in the frame, Stefano charged past the Lakehead defense to tie things up.
 
The third period ended without another goal being added to the board, setting the stage for an overtime finish.
 
Stefano sent the Mustangs off with a win at 1:19 of the extra frame, converting an assist from Spenser Cobbold and wiring the puck into the net to clinch a 3-2 victory.
 
After two straight games in Thunder Bay the Mustangs will be back in action on home ice next week, with Western taking on the Laurier Golden Hawks on Thursday, January 25, at Thompson Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m., and fans can catch all the action live on OUA.tv