The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders were economical with their 17 shots on goal Saturday, edging the Waterloo Black Hawks 3-2 at ImOn Ice Arena.
The RoughRiders topped the Hawks for the first time in four tries this season, making the most of their limited chances. Cedar Rapids goalie Rudy Guimond was credited with 22 saves while earning the win.
Guimond turned away a Reid Morich penalty shot and then a Black Hawks power play before the RoughRiders notched the first goal of the game at 10:31 of the opening period. Just nine seconds into a Cedar Rapids advantage, Drew Stewart spun in the slot and put a low shot past Jack Spicer.
Waterloo tied the game not quite five minutes later. Gavin Lindberg's effort to force a turnover in the Cedar Rapids zone prevented the RoughRiders from breaking out. Eventually Teddy Townsend swooped through the left circle and lifted in a sharp-angled chance from below the dot. Spicer preserved the tie to intermission, denying a Jack Larrigan breakaway in the final ten seconds of the period.
In the second, Cedar Rapids recorded two goals separated by 66 seconds. Joel Kjellberg had the first one at 6:01, when he was given room to step from the top of the right circle to the edge of the crease for a score from close range. Jack Larrigan sped to the net to add an insurance goal at 7:07 after a takeaway in the neutral zone.
Twenty-one seconds into the third period, Griffin Erdman drew a goal back. Moments after Erdman had hit the post, Morich got the puck back to him and he stuffed it in from close range.
The Hawks could not beat Guimond again during the 19-plus minutes that remained, dropping the matchup after wins in two previous trips to ImOn Ice Arena.
Saturday was the middle game of three in three days for the Black Hawks. Waterloo closes out the sequence on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. against the Youngstown Phantoms. The first 250 kids in attendance for the home matchup will receive a Black Hawks cowbell, presented by Chick-fil-A. After the game, skate with the team for free while the supply of skates lasts at Young Arena equipment counter. For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visit
tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.
Waterloo 1 0 1 - 2
Cedar Rapids 1 2 0 - 3
1st Period-1, Cedar Rapids, Stewart 6 (Kjellberg, Milfors), 10:31 (PP). 2, Waterloo, Townsend 10 (Mustard), 15:17. Penalties-Larrigan Cr (tripping), 7:38; Kjellberg Cr (cross checking), 8:12; Felicio Wat (slashing), 10:22.
2nd Period-3, Cedar Rapids, Kjellberg 8 (Resendes), 6:01. 4, Cedar Rapids, Larrigan 10 (O'Connell, Kald), 7:07. Penalties-Slezak Cr (interference), 3:35; Mustard Wat (tripping), 17:05.
3rd Period-5, Waterloo, Erdman 14 (Morich), 0:21. Penalties-Miller Wat (tripping), 2:51; Slezak Cr (interference), 13:10; Thoreson Wat (tripping), 19:47; Lindberg Wat (roughing, cross checking), 20:00; Grable Cr (roughing), 20:00.
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 11-4-9-24. Cedar Rapids 6-10-1-17.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 3; Cedar Rapids 1 / 4.
Goalies-Waterloo, Spicer 8-8-0-1 (17 shots-14 saves). Cedar Rapids, Guimond 9-8-3-1 (24 shots-22 saves).
A-3,327
