LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs men’s hockey team returned to the ice for their first game since December 2, facing the rival Windsor Lancers in an exhibition matchup at Thompson Arena on Sunday night. The close contest came down to the shootout where Steve Reese found his mark, putting the game away and giving the Mustangs a 4-3 victory.
 
Western jumped out to an early lead, going up 3-0 by the midway point of the second period, before Windsor scored three straight goals to tie things up and send the game to overtime.
 
"We worked hard early on and built a 3 goal lead which I was happy about,” said Western interim head coach Patrick Powers. “The fatigue set in in the 3rd period and Windsor was able to work their way back into it, obviously we'd like to play a full 60-minute game but in the end a win's a win."
 
Reese led the Mustangs scorers, scoring the team’s last goal in regulation before adding the winner as the lone player to score in the shootout. Adam Stoykewych and Shaun Furlong added the other goals for Western. Steve Ferry provided two of the Lancers three goals, including the tying goal late in the third period, while Curtis Longland provided Windsor’s other goal.
 
Western returns to regular season action this Friday, heading on the road to take on the Brock Badgers for the third time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 in St. Catharines.