Windsor, ON – The Western Mustangs wrapped up their weekend on Friday night with a 4-0 loss to the Windsor Lancers with heavy penalty trouble.

Western opened the night competing hard at even strength, but the flow of the game quickly shifted as penalties began to stack up. The Mustangs took two minors in the first period, including a holding call at 8:33 and a tripping penalty late in the frame, forcing them to spend extended time on the penalty kill. Goaltender Jack McNaughton and the Western penalty kill held firm for most of the period.

The game's opening goal came late in the first, when Windsor scored shorthanded with just 17 seconds remaining, giving Windsor a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

The second period, Western earned a power-play opportunity at 4:53, but couldn't tie the game. Penalties continued on both sides, including matching roughing minors late in the period that led to four-on-four play. 

The third period, Windsor added a goal at 4:47 to extend the lead, then struck again midway through the frame to make it 3-0. As the period wore on, emotions boiled over and the game became increasingly physical. Western was assessed several minors in quick succession, including roughing and cross-checking calls, making it difficult to regain momentum.

Western continued to push at even strength and finished the night with 26 shots, but couldn't find a way past the Windsor goaltender. With the Mustangs pressing late, Windsor sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 16:40.

Western finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play, while Windsor also went scoreless on seven man-advantage chances. 

The Mustangs return to action next Friday, January 23, with a 7:00 p.m. road matchup against the Waterloo Warriors in Waterloo.