The Sioux City Musketeers did enough scoring in Friday's first period to beat the Waterloo Black Hawks in a 6-4 decision at Tyson Events Center.
Sioux City's five tallies in the opening 20 minutes matched the highest scoring opening frame by any USHL team during the 2023/24 season. Although they were limited to just eight shots on goal the rest of the night, the damage was done.
Turnovers plagued the Black Hawks in the first period, including on the Musketeers' first goal. After a close call in the defensive zone a moment earlier, Waterloo had the puck but couldn't get it out. Instead Kevin Fitzgerald blasted a shot in off the crossbar.
At 12:57, a power play conversion by Tate Pritchard from the edge of the crease opened the floodgates. Sioux City added three more goals in less than three minutes from Trey Jefferis, Sam Blanton, and Sam Court.
The Black Hawks won the second period decisively, starting with a goal at 2:32. Teddy Townsend forced a turnover near his blue line, speeding up the ice for an unassisted breakaway goal on a low shot slipped under Samuel Urban.
Waterloo survived 96 seconds of five-on-three Sioux City power play time, then a subsequent Musketeer advantage, all the while limiting the home team to just three shots on goal in the period.
The defensive effort allowed the Hawks to draw closer with two late second period scores separated by just 17 seconds. Reid Morich had the first, wristing in his attempt from between the circles at 14:51. Jakub Altrichter followed up with a backhander from the top of the crease after Gavyn Thoreson pushed the puck there from the side of the net.
The Hawks would not get any closer. Blanton's second of the game at 5:23 stalled the rally. Adam Zlinka would get that goal back during a Waterloo power play three-and-a-half minutes later, snapping in a feed from Connor Brown. However, Waterloo spent four of the last 11 minutes shorthanded, hamstringing further comeback aspirations.
Waterloo returns home for their final game at Young Arena before Christmas Saturday versus the Des Moines Buccaneers at 6:05 p.m. The evening will include Waterloo's annual Salute to Veterans, with complimentary tickets for all former military personnel and patriotic jerseys presented by American Pattern & CNC Works. Those jerseys will be auctioned after the game to support homeless veterans in northeast Iowa through Americans for Independent Living. For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.
Waterloo 0 3 1 - 4
Sioux City 5 0 1 - 6
1st Period-1, Sioux City, Fitzgerald 2 (Nicholas, Blanck), 6:05. 2, Sioux City, Pritchard 4 (Nicholas, Martino), 12:57 (PP). 3, Sioux City, Jefferis 1 (Kessler), 13:36. 4, Sioux City, Blanton 1 (Pritchard), 14:43. 5, Sioux City, Court 5 (Hanson, Pritchard), 15:25. Penalties-McInnis Wat (cross checking), 11:02; Hupka Sc (roughing), 19:10.
2nd Period-6, Waterloo, Townsend 3 2:32. 7, Waterloo, Morich 1 (Mustard, Deering), 14:51. 8, Waterloo, Altrichter 5 (Mustard, Thoreson), 15:08. Penalties-Mustard Wat (slashing), 4:17; Brown Wat (roughing, roughing), 4:42; Court Sc (slashing), 4:42; Pritchard Sc (hooking), 7:11; served by Butella Wat (bench minor-too many men), 11:36.
3rd Period-9, Sioux City, Blanton 2 (Kessler, Jefferis), 5:23. 10, Waterloo, Zlnka 5 (Brown, Thoreson), 8:59 (PP). Penalties-Gardula Sc (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 7:43; served by Zlnka Wat (bench minor-too many men), 10:14; Hanson Sc (interference), 10:31; Deering Wat (high sticking), 17:27.
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 5-11-7-23. Sioux City 9-3-5-17.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 1 / 4; Sioux City 1 / 6.
Goalies-Waterloo, Vachon 10-3-0-0 (8 shots-4 saves); Spicer 1-6-0-0 (9 shots-7 saves). Sioux City, Urban 8-6-2-0 (23 shots-19 saves).
A-1,408
