After closing out their regular season with a victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks last Saturday, the Lancer men's hockey program is gearing up to face the No. 6 nationally ranked Western Mustangs in the first round of the playoffs.

 

The first game of the best of three series is set to get underway on Thursday February 17th in London before returning to Windsor Arena for game two on Friday. 

 

After finishing the regular season 12-12-4 the Lancers find themselves lined up against their rivals from London. The Lancers and Mustangs (20-3-5) renew their rivalry after meeting in the OUA West Semi-Finals last season.

 

In last year's meeting the Mustangs got the better of the Lancers knocking them out in two games of the three game series. 

 

This season saw the two squads battle in three close games at the end of the regular season. The Lancers won the first game at home with a 5-4 shoot-out win, while the Mustangs stole the next two meetings 3-1 and 4-3. 

 

The Lancers will look to play spoiler in the first round for the second straight year, after knocking of a highly touted Waterloo squad in the first round last season. 

 

Coach Kevin Hamlin's squad finished the regular season with an important 4-3 shootout victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks. Mike Lombardi scored the shootout winner for the Lancers, and has been a welcome addition to the Blue & Gold, leading the team in goals and points this season.

 

With their second consecutive playoff berth the Lancers are hoping to make a deep run this season and will start by knocking off the favoured Western Mustangs. 

 

Puck drop for game two is set for 7:30pm on Friday February 18th at Windsor Arena. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. No passes will be accepted at the gate.