The Dubuque Fighting Saints claimed the United States Hockey League's final weeknight game, defeating the Waterloo Black Hawks 5-1 Wednesday at ImOn Arena.

The Saints' Teddy Merrill assisted on the game's first two goals, then scored twice in the third period for a four-point night.  Former Black Hawk goalie Michael Chambre made 15 saves for the victory.
 
Dubuque scored both of their first period goals within a 27-second span.  At 9:05, Gavin Lock sent in a low chance from the right circle, making the most of a failed Black Hawk clear and a quick pass from Dante Josefsson-Westling.  On the next shift, Melvin Ekman went to the front of the net and was in the right spot to redirect a feed into the net off his skate.

Hayden Russell notched the only goal of the second, bringing Waterloo back within one.  Camped near the edge of the crease, Russell scored on a tap-in after Jimmy Rieber handled the puck through the left circle to make the setup pass.

The Saints pulled out of reach early in the second period.  At 1:35, Merrill rifled in a bid from the right circle during a power play.  He struck again at 5:03, pushing home the rebound of Ekman's first try.

Masun Fleece added Dubuque's final goal at 13:46, tipping a shot from the left point by Luke Brierley.

Dubuque's three third period goals came on 17 shots.  For the night, the Saints had a 36-16 shots on goal advantage.

The Black Hawks move on to the final weekend of the season this Friday and Saturday on the road against the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Waterloo 0 1 0 - 1
Dubuque 2 0 3 - 5

1st Period-1, Dubuque, Lock 20 (Josefsson-Westling, Merrill), 9:05. 2, Dubuque, Ekman 21 (Lafton, Merrill), 9:32. Penalties-Timm Wat (interference), 10:40; O'Donohue Wat (major-fighting, misconduct-fighting), 16:54; Dubey Dbq (major-fighting, misconduct-fighting), 16:54.

2nd Period-3, Waterloo, Russell 11 (Rieber, Nolan), 5:50. Penalties-Vikla Wat (cross checking), 2:10.

3rd Period-4, Dubuque, Merrill 29 (Barron, Besnier), 1:35 (PP). 5, Dubuque, Merrill 30 (Ekman, Brierley), 5:03. 6, Dubuque, Fleece 24 (Brierley, Richards), 13:46. Penalties-Nolan Wat (high sticking), 0:56.

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 4-4-8-16. Dubuque 11-8-17-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 0; Dubuque 1 / 3.
Goalies-Waterloo, Crudale 8-8-2-0 (36 shots-31 saves). Dubuque, Chambre 6-12-1-0 (16 shots-15 saves).
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