London, ON – The Western Mustangs were back in action Friday night at Thompson Arena, facing off against the TMU Bold for the second time this season. After a physical game, Western came up short, falling 3-1 on home ice. 

The Mustangs came out with energy, matching TMU's pace in the early minutes. Western took a penalty just three minutes in, but the penalty kill held strong and kept the game scoreless. 

TMU struck first at 7:33 with a goal, but Western answered later in the period. On their first power play of the night, Lawson Sherk tied the game 1-1 with a shot from the slot, assisted by Brett Willits and Zach Power. 

Both teams traded penalties in a tense opening frame, including a brief four-on-four stretch, but neither side broke the tie before intermission. 

The second period featured tight checking and several special-teams battles. Western killed off multiple penalties early in the frame. TMU earned a power-play chance late in the period and regained the lead at 18:24 and made it 2-1. 

The Mustangs kept up the pressure and drew a late penalty before the horn but couldn't find the equalizer. 

Western started the third with energy, pushing for a tying goal while holding off TMU's transition game. Both sides exchanged chances, but the goaltenders stood tall. 

As time wound down, TMU added a goal at 16:40, 3-1. Western pulled their goalie in the final minutes to gain the extra attacker but couldn't convert. 

Goaltender Jack McNaughton (#33) made 37 saves on 40 shots, keeping Western in the game until the end. 

"Jack was solid for us again. He stood tall when they were rolling on the power play and made some really good saves." Head Coach Clark Singer said.


The Mustangs are back on Saturday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. when they host the Waterloo Warriors at Thompson Arena.