Toronto, ON – The Western Mustangs opened their weekend road trip on Thursday night, edging the Toronto Varsity Blues 5-4 overtime. First-year forward Zander Veccia (#74) scoring a hat trick to cap a high-paced battle at Varsity Blue Arena.
In the first period, Western wasted no time taking control, pushing the pace and keeping the puck deep in Toronto's zone. Just two minutes in, #74 Veccia opened the scoring for the Mustangs, scoring the first goal of the night to give Western an early 1-0 lead. Midway through the period, Toronto managed to even the score at 1-1. Less than a minute later, Jacob Dietz from Western answered right back, regaining the lead at 2-1.
With four minutes left, the Mustangs earned their first power play of the night and generated several chances, though they couldn't convert during the powerplay. Western carried their 2-1 lead into the intermission.
In the second period, defenders on both sides stood tall through the first half of the period, blocking shots and limiting clean looks at goal. Seven minutes in, matching penalties led to the game's first four-on-four play. Toronto capitalized during the open ice, finding the equalizer just past the nine minute mark to tie things up again at 2-2.
Western responded immediately with strong puck movement and applying pressure. At 13 minutes, #39 Lawson Sherk broke through, finding the back of the net to reclaim the lead for Western, 3-2. Moments before intermission, #74 Veccia scored for his second of the night, giving the Mustangs a 4-2 lead.
In the third period the Varsity Blues tightened things up defensively, limiting Western's chances on their second power play of the night early in the period. Toronto followed with a power play of their own but couldn't capitalize. With just over three minutes to play, the Toronto make it to 4-3, then scored again on a late powerplay to tie the game 4-4 and force overtime.
Three-on-three hockey in overtime and just 1 minutes in, Veccia completed his hat trick, sealing a 5-4 victory and his first multi-goal game as a Mustang.
Toronto pressed late, but Western held strong to secure their first win of the season in a road battle.
The Mustangs are back on the ice Friday night, October 10, at 6:15 p.m. as they face the TMU Bold in Toronto.
