Gustavs Griva scored 1:20 into overtime, propelling the Madison Capitols to a 3-2 result over the Waterloo Black Hawks Friday at Bob Suter's Legacy 20 Arena.
Despite that outcome, Waterloo remains unbeaten in regulation this season. Friday's result moves their record to 7-0-2, and one standings point from the game returns the Hawks to a first place Western Conference tie with the Fargo Force.
Griva potted the winning goal after finding room to work below the left faceoff dot. It looked as though he would step behind the net, but instead squeezed a backhander between goalie Charlie Menard and the post at his right.
As was the case during the Hawks' previous overtime loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in September, Waterloo never trailed during regulation Friday.
The Hawks had killed an early Madison power play, then took a 1-0 lead during the following shift. At 4:13 of the opening period, Sal Viviano fired from the slot and hit the post. However, the puck then also hit the back of netminder Elliot Lennon and trickled across the goal line.
Waterloo made it 2-0 not quite three minutes later. After a faceoff win, Cody Sokol came off the right boards and into the slot. He waited before triggering a wrister, buying time for Hayden Russell to get to the edge of the crease and tip in the chance at 7:01.
Former Hawk Rio Treharne drew a goal back at 18:07 while the teams were skating four-on-four. The transition chance turned into a score when the pass to Treharne was tipped, and the slight delay created an opportunity for Treharne to find the top corner over Charlie Menard's left shoulder.
The Capitols put the game back on even terms with the only goal of the second period and the night's only special teams score. At 17:54, Harper Frey put his shot in on the short side from the left dot during a Madison power play.
Russell was denied on a third period penalty shot when Lennon made a pad save at 5:19. Waterloo turned the Capitols aside on the only power play in the final 20 minutes.
The Black Hawks and Capitols square off again on Saturday night in Madison. The puck drops at hour earlier at 6:05 p.m.
Waterloo 2 0 0 0 - 2
Madison 1 1 0 1 - 3
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Viviano 4 (Nsonsa Kitala, Russell), 4:13. 2, Waterloo, Russell 4 (Sokol, Viviano), 7:01. 3, Madison, Treharne 2 (Snee, Geerdes), 18:07. Penalties-Hunka Wat (tripping), 1:20; Geerdes Mad (misconduct-equipment violation), 1:33; Davis Wat (hooking), 16:26; Yandle Mad (diving/embellishment), 16:26; Pittsley Mad (interference), 18:47.
2nd Period-4, Madison, Frey 5 (Geerdes, MacSwain), 17:54 (PP). Penalties-Nolan Wat (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 11:15; Snee Mad (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 11:15; Geike Wat (holding), 16:22.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Schmidt Mad (hooking), 5:19; Hunka Wat (high sticking), 7:31.
1st OT Period-5, Madison, Griva 1 (Lutner, Pittsley), 1:20. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 12-8-8-1-29. Madison 11-10-9-2-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 2; Madison 1 / 3.
Goalies-Waterloo, Menard 3-0-2-0 (32 shots-29 saves). Madison, Lennon 4-1-0-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-1,528
