Warnaar's hat trick helps Mustangs force game three against Ryerson

LONDON, Ont. – A three-goal night from Trevor Warnaar led the way, as the Western Mustangs topped the Ryerson Rams 5-1 on Friday night at Thompson Arena to force a third and deciding game in their OUA first round playoff series.
 
"We had it for the full 60 tonight," said head coach Clarke Singer. "Ryerson is a great team – one of the top teams in the country – and if we aren't at our best in all three zones they're going to win the game. I was happy with our effort and our passion."
 
Warnaar and Cordell James were responsible for all five goals, with Warnaar completing his hat trick in the third period. Both players also picked up one point from an assist, while Anthony Stefano earned two.
 
A power play goal from John Carpino was the only mark on the score sheet for the Rams, who struggled to get past Luke Peressini's commanding presence.
 
The game began with quick end-to-end play that would come to characterize the entire 60 minutes. Both Ryerson and Western used the neutral zone primarily as a highway and were constantly employing an aggressive offense.
 
Western would put up two in the opening frame, one each from Warnaar and James, to establish a lead that the Rams would be unable to match.
 
Warnaar's marker came just five minutes in, beating Adam Dupuis on the glove side to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
 
James followed up four minutes later with a goal of his own that would ultimately be the game-winner. It was set up by a shot from the point that rebounded off the post and landed in front of the rookie, allowing him to send the puck into a wide-open net.
 
Neither team would put up another point before the whistle, but both had several opportunities. The game was fairly evenly matched on the offensive end with Dupuis facing 13 shots while Peressini fended off 14.
 
However, the OUA leading purple and white power play struggled to find its footing. A hooking penalty gave the Mustangs the man advantage, but the team was only able to produce one shot on net throughout the two minutes.
 
The Mustangs special teams fared better in the second frame, with one of the three power plays resulting in a goal. Western's lead would double by the end of the second period, with the same two players who bested Dupuis in the first making repeat performances.
 
Warnaar's second goal of the night came on the power play, sending a one-timer from James into the back of the net.
 
"Over the last few weeks we haven't had many opportunities on the power play, haven't had many chances. To get that one today was big for us," said Warnaar "We were moving the puck around pretty well I thought, and it's something we've been working in practice. We got the opportunity tonight and we capitalized. It was good to see."
 
Not to be outdone, James followed up with a goal of his own less than two minutes later. The pair of goals came in the first five minutes of the frame, but Warnaar would add one more in the third to complete the hat trick midway through the third.
 
The Rams continued to press in the final frame, with Peressini facing frequent traffic in front of the net as the Rams started to send whatever they could towards the former OHL Goalie of the Year. Only one of the attempts made it through, with Carpino sliding it in with six minutes remaining when the Rams were on the power play.
 
The Mustangs will look to again top the Rams this Sunday, when they head back to the Mattamy Athletic Centre for game three.
 
"We have to play like we did tonight. Come out strong, stick to the systems we've been having so far and hopefully it works out," said James about Sunday's contest.
 
The outcome of Sunday's contest will determine which team is able to continue in pursuit of the Queen's Cup. The game is set to begin at 7:15 p.m., with fans able to catch all the action live on OUA.tv and Radio Western 94.9 FM

Source: Western Mustangs