Box Score OSHAWA, ON - Despite a close battle against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, the Mustangs ultimately lost as the home team scored two goals in the last 30 seconds of play, sending Western home with a 4-2 loss.
As the season is coming to a close soon, the Mustangs have been looking to improve upon their 8-16-0 season before the year comes to an end.
When the first period began, both teams were struggling to take shots with the majority of play taking place away from the net.
Several penalties were called against the Mustangs throughout this period with the first coming just a couple minutes into the game. These penalties would be what ultimately helped decide the game in favour of Ontario Tech - a team with one of the best power plays in the league.
It was a very physical game from the start, with both teams consistently playing aggressive hockey. The Mustangs, while seeming to struggle offensively to start, were incredibly powerful on defense.
Despite having three penalties called against them in the first period and none in their favour throughout the period, Western was doing really well stopping the Ridgebacks from having enough time with the puck to set up and create many meaningful opportunities.
As the first period was coming to a close, the home team managed to put a shot through traffic into the back of the net on a power play and bring the score 1-0 in favour of Ontario Tech.
Not long after the second period began, the Ridgebacks attempted to extend on their lead, scoring another goal against the Mustangs - which was quickly overturned, leaving the score down at 1-0.
The visiting Mustangs were even more powerful in the second, and following a skillful interception in the neutral zone, Adeline Kristoff fired off the puck for Western's first score of the night, tying the game at 1-1.
With the score back at an even playing field, both teams were once again scrambling to take the lead. Five minutes after their first goal of the night was scored, Madelaine DesRosiers sent a slap-shot to the back of the Ridgebacks' net pulling the Mustangs into the lead for the first time tonight, up 2-1.
Despite incredible defensive efforts from Western, trying to maintain their lead, less than a minute after pulling ahead Ontario Tech scored yet another goal bringing the score level once again to end the second period with a score of 2-2.
The third period began much quieter than the first two - there were less stoppages, and fewer penalties than earlier in the game, and shots were seeming really hard to come by with both sides putting on an excellent defensive show.
It was a very physical game throughout with both sides continuing to put their all into fighting for a win. Less than six minutes remained and it looked like the Ridgebacks were going to score when Kaitlyn Booth pulled out the save of the game to fend them off.
With less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation it looked as if the game was about to head into overtime, when in the final 11 seconds the Ridgebacks fired off a wrist shot while the Mustangs were on a penalty, pulling them into a 3-2 lead.
Western decided to pull their goalie for a chance to tie the game with an extra player on the ice, but in the final seconds of the game, Ontario Tech scored on the open net, sealing their win at 4-2.
The Mustangs move on to play their final away game of the regular season against the Queens University Gaels in Kingston, on Saturday night (Feb 11) at 7:30 pm. Fans can tune in live to watch Western take the Gaels at OUA.tv.
