NORTH BAY, ON — The Western Mustangs closed out their northern road trip with a 5–1 loss to the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday night, as an early push from the Lakers set the tone and Western couldn't recover despite generating 25 shots.

Nipissing struck just 32 seconds into the game, but Western answered quickly. On their first power play of the night, #66 Sara Forwell buried a chance at 5:10, finishing a setup from #10 Leah Barnard and #19 Kate Suitor to even the score. Both teams traded looks through the opening frame with shots tied 9–9, but the 1–1 scoreline wouldn't last.

The Lakers took control in the second period. Goals at 4:43 and 6:11 widened the gap to 3–1, prompting a goaltending change for Western as #1 Ella Brabrook entered the game in relief of #40 Brooke Vaccari. Nipissing's sustained pressure limited Western's ability to generate high-quality looks, and the Mustangs struggled to establish consistent zone time.

Nipissing added a shorthanded goal just 21 seconds into the third to extend their lead. Western pushed back late, eventually outshooting the Lakers 9–6 in the final frame, but couldn't break through again. Nipissing added one more at 17:01 to seal the 5–1 final.

Western finished the night 1-for-2 on the power play, with Forwell's marker her third of the season. Barnard and Suitor each recorded assists, while Brabrook stopped 11 of the 13 shots she faced after entering the game.

The Mustangs now look ahead to returning home. Their next matchup is Friday, February 13th at 7 p.m. at Thompson Arena where they'll host the York Lions.