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Queen's Cup Preview: Western Mustangs

Tue Mar 09, 2004
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

The No. 7 Western Mustangs enter the Queen's Cup sporting a 21-3 OUA regular season record and a 26-11 overall record. The Mustangs qualified for the Queen's Cup as host team and will play No. 10 Toronto in the Tournament Entry Game Friday night at 7:35 p.m. EST. Western was first in the OUA and CIS in goals for with 148 and tied for fourth in the OUA in goals against with 72.





Western vs. Queen's Cup Opposition 2003-2004 (Record: 5-5)
Sat Mar 6 Lakehead 5 Western 4 PL OT4
Fri Mar 5 Western 4 Lakehead 2 PL
Wed Mar 3 Lakehead 3 Western 1 PL
Fri Feb 6 Western 4 York 3
Sat Jan 31 Lakehead 5 Western 3
Fri Jan 30 Western 3 Lakehead 2
Fri Nov 21 Western 9 Toronto 8 OL
Thu Nov 6 York 4 Western 3
Sat Nov 1 Western 4 Lakehead 3
Fri Oct 31 Lakehead 3 Western 2

Lakehead vs. Western Head-To-Head:
Western has a 13-7 edge in victories against Lakehead since the Thunderwolves joined the OUA but the last two seasons have seen the two teams play each other even. This year, the teams split their four games in the regular season, with each winning one game in the other's home arena. Lakehead defeated Western in the Far West Division Finals two games to one clinched by their epic quadruple 5-4 overtime thriller in London last Saturday. Lakehead has defeated Western in two out of three playoff series.

Players To Watch:
Western's high-powered offense is led by the high scoring line of Captain Justin Davis and rookies Mike Stathopoulos, and Mike Rice. Stathopoulos is this year's OUA West Rookie of the Year, OUA Scoring Leader, OUA West First Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team member. Rice is a Second Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team selection. Davis is a Second Team All-Star and the All-Time Mustangs scoring leader. The Mustangs also feature Second Team All-Star defenseman Abe Herbst and Second Team All-Star Forward Jeff Martin.

Goaltender Mike D'Alessandro is a big game goaltender who can handle the pressure as evidenced by his 81 save performance vs. Lakehead in Game 3 of the Far West Division Finals. Tim Zafiris and Jamie Chamberlain can also be counted on to generate offense and Brad Yeo can play tough defense as well as come up with timely scoring.

For the Western Roster, click here:

Historical Highlights:
CIS National Championships: 1
Queen's Cup Championships: 1

Western 2003-2004 Results:
Sat Mar 6 Lakehead 5 Western 4 PL OT4
Fri Mar 5 Western 4 Lakehead 2 PL
Wed Mar 3 Lakehead 3 Western 1 PL
Fri Feb 20 Western 5 Windsor 2
Sat Feb 14 Western 4 Laurier 3 OL
Thu Feb 12 Western 12 Guelph 2
Sat Feb 7 Western 5 Brock 3 EN
Fri Feb 6 Western 4 York 3
Sat Jan 31 Lakehead 5 Western 3
Fri Jan 30 Western 3 Lakehead 2
Sat Jan 24 Western 4 Windsor 3
Fri Jan 23 Western 5 Windsor 4
Sun Jan 18 Western 5 Waterloo 2
Fri Jan 16 Western 10 Waterloo 3
Fri Jan 9 Western 5 Waterloo 1
Sat Jan 3 Western 4 Guelph 3 NC
Sun Jan 4 Laurier 3 Western 1 NC EN Champ
Tue Dec 30 Alberta 7 Western 3 NC
Mon Dec 29 Alberta 5 Western 1 NC
Thu Dec 18 W Michigan 5 Western 3 EX EN
Sun Nov 30 Western 10 RMC 0
Sat Nov 29 Western 8 Queen's 4
Sat Nov 22 Western 14 Ryerson 4
Fri Nov 21 Western 9 Toronto 8 OL
Sat Nov 15 Western 6 Laurier 2
Thu Nov 13 Western 10 Guelph 2
Fri Nov 7 Western 5 Brock 3
Thu Nov 6 York 4 Western 3
Sat Nov 1 Western 4 Lakehead 3
Fri Oct 31 Lakehead 3 Western 2
Sat Oct 25 Western 9 Windsor 4
Fri Oct 17 Western 3 Waterloo 2 OL
Sat Oct 11 Western 4 Guelph 3 NC
Sun Oct 12 Western 5 York 4 NC
Sat Oct 4 W Michigan 6 Western<