Three unanswered goals propelled the Waterloo Black Hawks past the Omaha Lancers 4-2 Friday at Liberty First Credit Union Arena.
The win was Waterloo's fourth during the six-game season series against Omaha. It keeps the Hawks one point ahead of the Lincoln Stars for second place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference. Lincoln edged the Fargo Force 4-3 in overtime.
Waterloo generated 20 shots on goal in the first period. The only one that went in was a Garrett Schifsky goal at 5:27. The Hawks' captain was set up in transition as Caden Brown flipped a pass from the left dot to the top of the crease. Schifsky knocked the feed into an open side.
Emmett Croteau preserved the lead with eight saves in the frame, none better than back-to-back stops on Matt Romer with eight minutes left before intermission following a turnover behind the Waterloo net.
The lead tipped back-and-forth during the second. William Smith's shot from the left point tied the game 32 seconds out of intermission. Then the Lancers went in front at 7:20, converting a three-on-two rush when Drew Montgomery hit the top corner from a sharp angle.
Jaedon Kerr retied the game at 9:45. The action was in the right circle until the puck squirted his way in the opposite ring. He beat Kevin Pasche and sent the netminder's water bottle flying with an equalizer.
The teams exchanged power plays in the latter part of the period; Omaha was denied on an advantage, but the Hawks converted to go back in front. Schifsky tipped Ben Robertson's shot at 18:10 for the go-ahead goal.
Gavin O'Connell added the game's final tally at 1:18 of the third. His low shot from the right circle changed directions and slipped inside the opposite post.
Waterloo finished with a 36-23 shots advantage. Croteau's 21 saves give him 39 career regular season wins tying him with Cale Morris for third during the Hawks' junior era.
Waterloo is back at home tomorrow against the Sioux City Musketeers. Meet video game star Mario from the #1 movie in the country, and have the chance to win movie passes. For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.
Waterloo 1 2 1 - 4
Omaha 0 2 0 - 2
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Schifsky 26 (Brown), 5:27. Penalties-No Penalties
2nd Period-2, Omaha, Smith 3 (Picozzi, Kusler), 0:32. 3, Omaha, Montgomery 10 (Pierre), 7:20. 4, Waterloo, Kerr 2 (Lindberg, Geary), 9:44. 5, Waterloo, Schifsky 27 (Robertson, O'Connell), 18:10 (PP). Penalties-Baker Wat (tripping), 12:48; Pierre Oma (high sticking), 17:36.
3rd Period-6, Waterloo, O'Connell 22 (Brown), 1:18. Penalties-Rinzel Wat (roughing), 14:58; Sluys Oma (roughing), 14:58.
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 20-7-9-36. Omaha 8-9-6-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 1 / 1; Omaha 0 / 1.
Goalies-Waterloo, Croteau 16-10-0-0 (23 shots-21 saves). Omaha, Pasche 7-20-1-1 (36 shots-32 saves).
A-2,242
Referees-Chazz Knoche.
Linesmen-Aaron Mostrom, Jake Paugh.
