LONDON, ON - The Western Mustangs welcomed the Laurier Golden Hawks to Thompson Arena for a Saturday afternoon contest that showcased the Mustangs special team units. Western picked up a 4-1 win by capitalizing on their opportunities and trusting the team defence to hold the lead.
The Mustangs scored first late in the first period on a powerplay blast from captain Stephen Desrocher. Despite a slow start this proved to be the momentum swing the Mustangs needed to secure the win.
"Felt good to get us on the board, Szypula made a really nice cross seam pass to me." Desrocher followed that up with "They play a full 60 minutes always and we know it was to be that way but we found our game as we got going, for the most part I feel we outplayed them."
Laurier managed to notch the game at the end of the first period but the Mustangs came out strong to start the second.
Shane Bulitka intercepted a pass at the blue-line on a Mustang penalty kill that led to his first non-empty net goal as a Mustang.
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"Definitely nice to get one that wasn't an empty netter, our special teams did the job tonight, We had a powerplay goal and 2 short handed, overall special teams was good tonight." Said Bulitka post game.
Bulitka did cap the game off with a short-handed empty net goal that sealed the golden-hawks fate.
The penalty-kill was a perfect 5 for 5 in the afternoon game, and goaltender Dave Ovsjannikov's role in that cannot be forgotten.
"I can't say enough about O.V. he's been amazing back there for us, who knew what that score could have been if it wasn't for him. He held us in the game and gave us a chance to win like he always does" Said Desrocher.
Despite outstanding special teams and timely goals, like this one scored by winger Kolten Olynek.
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The Mustangs still need to work towards putting together a complete that attacks the opponent early.
"It was kind of going back to Thursday, we had a tough first period, it wasn't as bad today but we still had things to work on as the game went on, special teams was the key today" Said Assistant coach Patrick Ouellet.
Finding the back of the net early and often continues to be the Mustangs main goal as the season continues.
"Good, wish we had that instinct a little earlier in the second, when we were all over them and just couldn't find that fourth goal to really put them away" Followed up Ouellet.
The Mustangs outplayed the Laurier team and dwindled them down as the game progressed, not allowing them the opportunity to get back in it.
Western will close out the 2021 half of the campaign starting with their next game on Thursday, November 25th at 7pm as they host the Windsor Lancers.
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