LONDON, ON - The Mustangs played physical and fast but stumbled early in the second period that allowed Windsor to score 3 in as many minutes and dropped a 6-3 final to the Lancers.
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Although the scoreboard tells one story, the game play appeared to be in the Mustangs favour despite the deficit. Western controlled play in the first, outshooting the Lancers 13-10.
As the second period started the game turned from physical to chippy. After Western went down 1-0, their emotions got the best of them as their penalty minutes increased.
"I thought we carried the play for 85% of the night, other than about 3-5 minutes in the second period there where we let down and let our emotions get the best of us out there we gave up those goals, I think we controlled the play" said assistant captain Kolten Olynek post-game.
Olynek was apart of the third period surge for the Mustangs that brought the game within one. The momentum carried over from late in the second period when Sean Montgomery scored a tap in from defenseman Austin Osmanski.
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Osmanski now leads the Mustangs in total points, 8, thanks to this tic-tac-toe goal to find the open man in front.
"Think we needed some energy, Szyps (Ethan Szypula) made a good pass and Monts (Montgomery) was in the right spot like he always is, it was a good jump there and got some life in us going into the third" said Osmanski.
Overall the team managed to recapture their footing down the stretch, the Mustangs just could not manage to put the all-important game tying goal on the board.
"Thought the guys did a real good job of bouncing back, showing lots of character but in the end it wasn't enough. In our league you can't have a bad 4 minutes, you can't allow 2 or 3 quick ones and expect to win the game, teams are too good." said Head Coach Clarke Singer.
Winger Franco Sproviero and Olynek were the other two goal scorers in the game.
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But after each goal the Lancers managed to tack on an extra goal for insurance.
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"Windsor's a real good hockey team, I mean they were in first place the year prior to the pandemic, and they're real good this year so we knew we had to have a great game here fighting for first place before the break." said Singer.
Western's effort level was not the problem, unfortunate bounces and a tough 5 minute stretch left them vulnerable against a balanced Lancer opponent.
The Mustangs look to rebound on Saturday November 27 for a rematch on the road at 7:30pm. Fans can watch the action on OUA.tv.
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