Box Score London, Ont. – The Western Mustangs found themselves in a familiar situation Saturday afternoon at Thompson Arena. The team returned to their home rink after dropping game one of their current playoff series, just as they have the previous two rounds. The Mustangs have become accustomed to playing with their backs against the wall, winning four straight games in which the team faces elimination. This time, the Guelph Gryphons served as the mountain the purple-and-white needed to climb to stave off elimination once again.

The Gryphons appeared to be the more dangerous team early on, sustaining a solid offensive pressure that resulted in the Mustangs taking a penalty about three minutes into the game. Despite the onslaught, goaltender Lucas Peressini continued his postseason form and was solid in net. This, and a strong defensive performance allowed the Mustangs to come off the penalty kill unscathed.

The game would continue at a fast pace from there with both teams getting some high-quality scoring chances. Neither could convert, the Guelph would gain another opportunity on the powerplay halfway through the first period. The Mustangs once again killed off the chance, preserving a tie game with 8 minutes remaining in the period.
Shortly after, Western would have their first chance with the extra-man. Hoping to convert on an opportunity that Guelph had squandered twice early in the matchup. Much like the Gryphons, Western was unable to capitalize on a crucial opportunity.

The Mustangs nearly broke through moments later, but the Guelph goaltender fought off a shot through a screen that he seemingly had no chance at seeing.

Guelph got an opportunity to put in a goal of their own moments later when they went back to the powerplay. This time, they would break the ice and score the first goal of the game on a wrist-shot from right above the faceoff dot. Peressini seemed to have the shot under control, and got all of it, but it somehow snuck its way into the net.

Just before the end of the period, the Mustangs found the back of the net on a quirky goal of their own to tie the game. Guelph nearly gained the lead right back but rang a shot off the iron as time expired.

Western took their first lead of the game early in the second period with a goal from Kyle Pettit. The Mustangs would add to their lead once again moments later. This goal coming from Austin Osmanski. Osmanski spoke about the game, and his goal after the contest. 

"I knew I had a lot of room. Once I got the puck settled down, I faked a shot and got around their guy. Just kinda let it go and it went in. The energy was great tonight. We have one life left, and we needed a good effort. We got it."

The Mustangs had a golden opportunity to score again with an odd-man rush. A goal would not materialize, but a Guelph penalty did, giving the Mustangs another powerplay opportunity. While they didn't score on the rush, The Mustangs did capitalize on the powerplay opportunity to give themselves a three-goal lead. Ryan Bechtel blasted the shot into the net for the Mustangs' fourth goal.

Guelph would have a powerplay opportunity of their own soon after, needing a goal to claw their way back into the game. The Gryphons were unable to convert on the powerplay, but did score just after on a breakaway, bringing the game back to a two-goal lead for the Mustangs at a 4-2 score.

The Guelph marker served as the last of the period as the Mustangs skated into the second intermission with a two-goal lead and a stranglehold on the game.
Guelph pulled their way back into the game just a minute into the third period with a partial breakaway goal that beat Peressini over his shoulder.

The Mustangs would have a chance to respond though as Guelph was called for a double minor that gave Western an extended powerplay opportunity. While the purple-and-white did not convert on the chance, it did give them the opportunity to slow the game down after the Gryphon's goal.

With 10 minutes remaining in the period, the Mustangs were sent to the box, giving Guelph a golden opportunity to tie the game. The Gryphons nearly scored, but picked up a penalty of their own, cutting their chance short. The ensuing abbreviated powerplay proved unsuccessful for Western as well.

With both teams back at full strength, Guelph began to push hard towards a game-tying goal, peppering the Western net with shots. Guelph pushed hard but the Mustangs kept the puck out of the net, securing a 4-3 victory. Head Coach Clark Singer spoke about the win after the game. 

"I thought maybe the first part of the game was a bit slow. Didn't get off to the best start. We got a bit of a lucky bounce on that first goal. From there we played a really nice game. A lot of great stuff from both teams, but we found a way to win."

The Mustangs will take on Guelph once again tomorrow night in game three of the Queen's Cup West Finals with a trip to Nationals on the line.