Ice top Black Hawks
Published on December 8, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
Head coach Jeff Brown goes a perfect 2-0-0 in his opening weekend as the Indiana Ice topped the Western Conference-leading Waterloo Black Hawks 5-4 from Young Arena.
Dalton Izyk stopped 36 shots in net for a weekend save total of 74 while Mikhail Plotnikov (2G), Rinat Valiev (2A) and Austin Ortega (G, A) all logged multiple-point nights.
Despite a 17-7 shot disadvantage, Izyk kept Waterloo on their heels, allowing only one goal in the opening frame off the tape of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Vince Hinostroza.
Much as the story went in the previous night's meeting, the Black Hawks were able to hold on to the lead until the Ice's "Russian Connection" knotted up the contest with a marker 12 minutes into the second period. Valiev fed the puck to Mikhail Plotnikov from the defensive zone before the Russian forward buried his first goal of the night.
Drawing off the momentum of a 14-7 shot advantage, Indy made Waterloo pay for a Victor Newell cross checking penalty as Robbie Baillargeon redirected the puck at the top of the crease to take a 2-1 lead late in the second. Ortega earned an assist on the play.
All the fireworks in Friday's contest were just a preview for the third period as the two teams combined for five goals in the final frame, three from the Ice and a pair from the hosts.
Plotnikov exploded into the Waterloo defensive zone to beat Peterson stick side for an unassisted goal to give Indy a 3-1 lead 1:59 into the third period. The tally was his second of the night.
The Black Hawks answered the Ice's call seconds later as a pair of goals in 67 seconds tied the contest at 3-3 with 15 remaining before the final buzzer.
The score remained tied until 42 seconds later when Drew Smolcynski and Valiev burst into the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 breakaway. The ensuing game of tic-tac-toe at the top of the crease put Indy back on top with plenty of time back on the clock.
Austin Ortega sealed the deal with a second-chance wrister in the low slot with his third game-winning goal of the season. The Ice set up the play in the offensive zone as Brian Morgan fed the puck to Ortega off the point. Ortega's first shot bounced off the screen with the second effort finding twine for Indy's fifth goal of the night.
Waterloo scored with just over one minute remaining in the contest, but couldn't capitalize after pulling Peterson for the extra skater.
Indiana Ice hockey returns to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 13 as the Ice host the Muskegon Lumberjacks for game one of a two-game homestand. Thursday's contest will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse while Friday' contest will be at Pan Am Plaza. Both games are set to begin at 7:05 pm.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2012
- Phantoms Fall to Fighting Saints 5-4 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Fighting Saints Survive Scare from Phantoms, Win 5-4 Saturday Night - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Ice Reign on Scoring Flurry - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lancers Earn Nail Biting 4-3 Victory over Lincoln - Omaha Lancers
- Ice top Black Hawks - Indiana Ice
- Lumberjacks Shut Down Cedar Rapids at Home 3-0 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Tri-City Erupts for Six Goals, Downs Team USA - Tri-City Storm
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