The Waterloo Black Hawks fly into October with a 3-0-1 record following Saturday's 3-2 road win against the Fargo Force at Scheels Arena.

The Hawks had never earned more than four standings points during the month of September.  They were able to push this season's early count up to seven thanks to twin 3-2 victories over the Force.  Waterloo had won Friday's matchup by that score in a game played along similar lines.
 
For the second consecutive night, the Force scored the only first period goal.  That happened at 14:57 during a power play.  AJ Garcia set up an AJ Francisco one-timer from the left point, and Francisco's shot buzzed through traffic and under the crossbar.

However, also for the second consecutive night, Waterloo would notch the next three goals.

Caleb Deanovich became the first Black Hawks defenseman to find the net this season, leveling the score during a power play at 14:23 of the second.  Miles Jinman put the puck on Deanovich's stick with a pass from dot to dot in the offensive zone, and Deanovich slung his low shot into an open side.

The next Waterloo power play turned into a five-on-three, and the Hawks used the two-man advantage to seize the lead at 6:10 of the third.  Deanovich lifted a high, hard shot to the net.  Samuel Hrenak knocked it down but left a rebound, and Noa Nsonsa Kitala pushed in a backhander.

Eight minutes later, Jordan Geike pounced on a loose puck he had knocked free near the Hawks' blue line, speeding the other way on a breakaway.  Despite backpressure, Geike stickhandled and slipped his chance past Hrenak's left skate.

The Force struck for a six-on-five goal – as they had on Friday - with 1:21 to go.  Melker Sigurd received a tipped pass in the right circle but still had time to target the short side post for the goal.

Sebastian Charvat stopped 13 other shots in the third period and 35 for the game to pick up his second win.  Fargo outshot the Hawks 37-27.

After games in Chicago and Fargo, the Black Hawks get home to play at Young Arena for the first time on Friday, October 2nd at 6:35 p.m. against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  It's a Chick-fil-A Family 4-Pack game, with four tickets, four chuck-a-pucks, and 32 Chick-fil-A nuggets for $68.  Early arriving fans will also receive a commemorative poster, plus a giveaway from Kwik Star.  Opening night is presented by Rydell Auto.  For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

Waterloo 0 1 2 - 3
Fargo 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-1, Fargo, Francisco 2 (Garcia, Mattern), 14:57 (PP). Penalties-Nolan Wat (slashing), 8:30; Bloink Wat (tripping), 13:53.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Deanovich 1 (Jinman, Viviano), 14:23 (PP). Penalties-Zimmerman Fgo (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:39; Jinman Wat (hooking), 18:37.

3rd Period-3, Waterloo, Nsonsa Kitala 2 (Deanovich, Viviano), 6:10 (PP). 4, Waterloo, Geike 2   14:07. 5, Fargo, Sigurd 2 (Zimmerman, Francisco), 18:39. Penalties-Cullen Fgo (high sticking), 4:55; Carlson Fgo (tripping), 5:28.

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 6-7-14-27. Fargo 10-14-13-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 2 / 3; Fargo 1 / 3.
Goalies-Waterloo, Charvat 2-0-0-0 (37 shots-35 saves). Fargo, Hrenak 1-2-0-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-3,653