LONDON, ON — The Western Mustangs fought through a tightly played, defensive battle Friday night at Thompson Arena, falling 2–1 in overtime to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in a game defined by structure, urgency, and strong goaltending at both ends.

Ottawa dictated the early pace, establishing extended pressure and opening the scoring at 11:34 of the first period. Western answered in the final moments of the frame when Haylie Kirkpatrick (#22) buried a shot with 9.7 seconds remaining, shifting momentum and sending the Mustangs into the intermission tied 1–1.

The second period featured disciplined defensive play and a handful of standout scoring chances. Western's Mackenzie Lizotte (#12) generated a major opportunity on a breakaway at 14:44, while at the other end, Mustangs goaltender Presley Daschuck (#89) delivered the save of the night at 10:17, shutting down an Ottawa breakaway to preserve the tie. Ottawa pushed back with a late chance at 1:31, but neither side could break through before the buzzer.

The third period saw Ottawa control most of the offensive zone time, but Western's defensive commitment was the defining feature of regulation. The Mustangs were heavy in shooting lanes, blocking multiple attempts and forcing Ottawa to work for every look. Western went to the penalty kill after Celina Kubisch (#28) took a minor at 11:21, but the unit held strong. Despite Ottawa's pressure, the Gee-Gees struggled to generate clean chances, and the game remained 1–1 through sixty minutes.

Western opened overtime with urgency and speed, but Ottawa answered with pressure of its own, leading to a defensive-zone faceoff for the Mustangs at 2:30. The Gee-Gees eventually found the winner with 1:21 remaining in overtime, sealing the 2–1 result.

The Mustangs now shift their focus to their next matchup on Saturday, January 31st at 7 PM, when they travel to Ottawa to face the Carleton Ravens at the Advanced Capital Ice House.