TORONTO, ON - The Mustangs and Rams met in the quarter finals on Wednesday night and locked horns. Western got out to an early lead but Ryerson managed to stay in the game and win 5-4 in the second overtime period.
Western set the tone early scoring 3 unanswered goals in the first period. Ryerson found their footing in the second and were able to lockdown the Western offense and force overtime.
The first goal in the game came off Shane Bulitka's stick for the first shot of the game.
Bulitka used his legs to generate the scoring opportunity and allowed his team the opportunity to play with the lead early.
Riley Macrea scored his first of 2 shortly after Bulitka's initial marker.
Jack Gravelle extended the Western lead to 3 to cap off the first.
This was Western's largest lead of the night as they allowed Ryerson to re-establish their presence in the hockey game.
The Rams turned their game around in the second period, scoring their first goal of the game but truly found their footing late in the third.
After it was 3-2 Macrae boosted the lead back to 2 goals.
The Mustangs faultered under the Rams final push with their goalie pulled and allowed 2 unanswered goals late to notch the game at 4 and force overtime.
Western and Ryerson played a fresh game of do or die hockey for 20 minutes and left with the same score, once again forcing a second overtime period.
Ryerson jumped on their opportunity within the first minute of the frame and got a shot on goal which found its way through the Mustangs goaltender.
The Mustangs entered the game as the underdog and punched above their weight class the entire game, Ryerson was simply able to capitalize with the 6 on 5 advantage late.
Western closes out the season on a low but have learned many hard lessons ahead of the start of next season.
Be sure to catch the start of the next Mustang regular season in October for the 2022/23 season.
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