USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Happy End to 2011

Published on December 31, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks pulled ahead of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the second period Saturday to cap the calendar year with a 5-3 win in front of a capacity crowd at Young Arena.

Ryan Papa gave Waterloo the lead for the first time 3:30 into the first period. Navigating around defensemen in the left wing circle Papa pulled the puck to his backhand and flipped it by the glove side of goalie Jake Hildebrand.

Nick Saracino's wraparound power play goal at 3:39 of the second tied the score until the 11:49 mark. The Hawks pulled back ahead at that point when Tyler Zepeda's shot from deep in the right wing corner eluded everyone except Jamie Hill who left it for Tony Cameranesi to poke in. Just less than five minutes later, Hill was in the middle of a give-and-go goal capped by Cameranesi during a two-on-one rush, making the score 3-1.

Early in the third, Aaron Pearce scored the marker that proved to be decisive at 2:17, set up from behind the net by Vince Hinostroza. Cedar Rapids answered the three straight Hawks goals with two of their own, starting when Saracino flipped in a chance during a delayed penalty situation at 11:50. With 3:39 remaining in regulation, he completed the hat trick and cut the Waterloo lead to one, swiping a puck at the blue line and wheeling around the Hawks' defense to beat Jay Williams to the stick side. However, the home team was able to begin celebrating their win with 52.9 seconds remaining; when Mark Naclerio hesitated to dodge a backchecking Greg Amlong, he had an empty net to shoot at and didn't miss from the left circle.

Williams finished with 18 saves for his tenth win of the season, while Hildebrand stopped 32 chances. The Hawks held the RoughRiders to less than ten shots in each period.

The Black Hawks remain on home ice for two games next weekend, hosting the Indiana Ice on Friday and the Dubuque Fighting Saints Saturday. Both contests begin at 7:05, and tickets are available online now from waterlooblackhawks.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2011


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