Lancers Split Weekend Series With Mustangs
The Lancer men's hockey team split their weekend series against the Western Mustangs. On Friday, the blue and gold earned a decisive 4-1 win on the road. Then, on Saturday, Western turned the tables to take a 6-3 victory over the Lancers.
THURSDAY STATS
Goals were scored by Lancers Jacob Boucher, Keegan McMullen, Matt McNamara, and Brady Hinz.
HOW IT HAPPENED THURSDAY
The Lancers started strong on Thursday, with McMullen capitalizing on a powerplay to notch the opening goal. Hinz then extended the lead to 2-0, finishing off a crisp cross-crease feed from McNamara.
Western answered early in the second period, picking the pocket of the Lancer defense to cut the deficit to 2-1. However, the blue and gold struck back late in the frame with McNamara sent a shot through traffic from the point on another powerplay to restore the two-goal cushion.
In the third period, Boucher sealed the deal with 4:20 left, completing a wraparound and cross-crease sequence set up by Travis Hensrud and Salvatore Collora. The Lancers skated away with a 4-1 road victory over the Mustangs.
SATURDAY STATS
Aaron Shaw earned two goals for the blue and gold.
Logan Linklater scored the third goal of the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED SATURDAY
Western was determined to flip the script on Saturday's outing, opening the scoring after 5 minutes of play. Then, the Mustangs snuck behind the Lancer defense and made contact with a puck that bounced off the glass to make it 2-0.
The Lancers broke their silence at the 10-minute mark as Shaw found the slot and slid one past the goaltender. However, the Mustangs regained their 2-goal lead with a tic-tac-toe play with 0.7 seconds remaining.
In the second period, Western added two to their lead off a breakaway and defensive scramble.
In the third period, Shaw struck again, burying a pass from behind the net for his second of the night. Then, the Lancers continued their momentum by Will Ennis connecting with Linklater with 3:57 left. Despite the surge, Western capped off the night with an empty-netter, handing the Lancers a 6-3 loss.
UP NEXT
The Lancers return to home ice next weekend. On Friday, January 31, the men play the UQTR Patriotes at 7:30pm. Then, on Saturday, February 1, the Lancers face off against McGill at 4:00pm.
