Matikka Makes a Memorable Finish
February 25, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
Miko Matikka scored in the final minute of overtime, allowing the Waterloo Black Hawks to slip past the Omaha Lancers 4-3 on Sunday at Young Arena.
It was Waterloo's second 4-3 overtime victory of the weekend after the Hawks had prevailed by the same score against the Fargo Force on Friday. The Hawks have now won 10 of their 11 overtimes or shootouts this season, the team's highest win total in those circumstances since 2007/08.
Late in the extra frame, Gavin O'Connell stopped outside his blue line and caught sight of Matikka between Lancer defenders. Although O'Connell's pass was slight behind him, Matikka reached back to receive it onside, then sped up the slot. He rung his wrister off the post and in past Michael Hrabal's glove with 51.2 seconds left.
Matikka now has six goals and four assists in 13 games since being traded from the Madison Capitals.
During the first period, the Lancers had the only power play, but it was the Black Hawks who came out of that situation with the lead. Near the end of Omaha's advantage, Waterloo controlled a defensive zone faceoff, helping to spring a two-on-one breakout. Owen Baker fed the puck circle-to-circle to Myles Hilman, who put it into an open side for a shorthanded goal at 7:47.
The visitors evened it up at 11:33; Jack Spicer stopped a shot by Tanner Rowe, but Charlie Lurie was there to lift the rebound into the top corner.
The Hawks nudged back in front with the only goal during the second period. Zach Bade applied pressure behind the Omaha net, allowing Caden Brown to take the puck. Brown's pass from beside the cage clicked with Garrett Schifsky between the circles, and Schifsky wasted little time putting the puck under the crossbar.
Omaha persisted and pulled even with an early third period score. Vincent Salice dug the puck out of the left corner, creating Ryan Kusler's shot and Logan Morell's rebound tap-in at 3:06. Later in the period, Waterloo went shorthanded as the result of a five-minute penalty. Part of the Lancer power play was nullified by an offsetting minor, and the Hawks came through the situation unscathed.
When Waterloo went to an advantage next, it lasted just four seconds. Schifsky won a faceoff back to Ben Robertson at the right point. His shot was stopped, but Griffin Erdman was there to clean up the rebound into an open side at 13:48.
For the third time in the game, Omaha rallied. Lurie held in a clearing attempt, created the opportunity for Griffin Jurecki to poke an equalizer inside the post at Spicer's left.
Spicer finished with 27 saves, including three in overtime. With the victory, the first year netminder is now the first USHL goaltender with 20 wins this season. Waterloo outshot Omaha 41-30.
The Hawks begin March on the road with games next weekend against the Lincoln Stars Saturday and the Sioux City Musketeers on Sunday.
Omaha 1 0 2 0 - 3
Waterloo 1 1 1 1 - 4
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Hilman 17 (Baker, Pionk), 7:47 (SH). 2, Omaha, Lurie 11 (Rowe, Rosenthal), 11:33. Penalties-Kerr Wat (checking from behind), 6:00.
2nd Period-3, Waterloo, Schifsky 19 (Brown, Bade), 4:24. Penalties-Rowe Oma (slashing), 1:10; Baker Oma (slashing), 6:38; Kivioja Oma (hooking), 9:15; Pionk Wat (holding), 12:38; Rosenthal Oma (checking from behind), 15:41; Baker Oma (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Shedd Oma (roughing dbl minor, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Geary Wat (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Kerr Wat (boarding), 18:33; Klee Wat (roughing dbl minor, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33.
3rd Period-4, Omaha, Morrell 5 (Kusler, Salice), 3:06. 5, Waterloo, Erdman 10 (Schifsky, Robertson), 13:48 (PP). 6, Omaha, Jurecki 12 (Kusler, Lurie), 17:57. Penalties-Kerr Wat (major-kneeing, game misconduct-kneeing), 5:19; Stupka Oma (slashing), 6:18; Lurie Oma (tripping), 13:44.
1st OT Period-7, Waterloo, Matikka 22 (O'Connell), 4:08. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Omaha 7-6-14-3-30. Waterloo 12-14-13-2-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Omaha 0 / 4; Waterloo 1 / 6.
Goalies-Omaha, Hrabal 6-10-4-2 (41 shots-37 saves). Waterloo, Spicer 20-6-1-0 (30 shots-27 saves).
A-3,216
Miko Matikka scored in the final minute of overtime, allowing the Waterloo Black Hawks to slip past the Omaha Lancers 4-3 on Sunday at Young Arena.
It was Waterloo's second 4-3 overtime victory of the weekend after the Hawks had prevailed by the same score against the Fargo Force on Friday. The Hawks have now won 10 of their 11 overtimes or shootouts this season, the team's highest win total in those circumstances since 2007/08.
Late in the extra frame, Gavin O'Connell stopped outside his blue line and caught sight of Matikka between Lancer defenders. Although O'Connell's pass was slight behind him, Matikka reached back to receive it onside, then sped up the slot. He rung his wrister off the post and in past Michael Hrabal's glove with 51.2 seconds left.
Matikka now has six goals and four assists in 13 games since being traded from the Madison Capitals.
During the first period, the Lancers had the only power play, but it was the Black Hawks who came out of that situation with the lead. Near the end of Omaha's advantage, Waterloo controlled a defensive zone faceoff, helping to spring a two-on-one breakout. Owen Baker fed the puck circle-to-circle to Myles Hilman, who put it into an open side for a shorthanded goal at 7:47.
The visitors evened it up at 11:33; Jack Spicer stopped a shot by Tanner Rowe, but Charlie Lurie was there to lift the rebound into the top corner.
The Hawks nudged back in front with the only goal during the second period. Zach Bade applied pressure behind the Omaha net, allowing Caden Brown to take the puck. Brown's pass from beside the cage clicked with Garrett Schifsky between the circles, and Schifsky wasted little time putting the puck under the crossbar.
Omaha persisted and pulled even with an early third period score. Vincent Salice dug the puck out of the left corner, creating Ryan Kusler's shot and Logan Morell's rebound tap-in at 3:06. Later in the period, Waterloo went shorthanded as the result of a five-minute penalty. Part of the Lancer power play was nullified by an offsetting minor, and the Hawks came through the situation unscathed.
When Waterloo went to an advantage next, it lasted just four seconds. Schifsky won a faceoff back to Ben Robertson at the right point. His shot was stopped, but Griffin Erdman was there to clean up the rebound into an open side at 13:48.
For the third time in the game, Omaha rallied. Lurie held in a clearing attempt, created the opportunity for Griffin Jurecki to poke an equalizer inside the post at Spicer's left.
Spicer finished with 27 saves, including three in overtime. With the victory, the first year netminder is now the first USHL goaltender with 20 wins this season. Waterloo outshot Omaha 41-30.
The Hawks begin March on the road with games next weekend against the Lincoln Stars Saturday and the Sioux City Musketeers on Sunday.
Omaha 1 0 2 0 - 3
Waterloo 1 1 1 1 - 4
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Hilman 17 (Baker, Pionk), 7:47 (SH). 2, Omaha, Lurie 11 (Rowe, Rosenthal), 11:33. Penalties-Kerr Wat (checking from behind), 6:00.
2nd Period-3, Waterloo, Schifsky 19 (Brown, Bade), 4:24. Penalties-Rowe Oma (slashing), 1:10; Baker Oma (slashing), 6:38; Kivioja Oma (hooking), 9:15; Pionk Wat (holding), 12:38; Rosenthal Oma (checking from behind), 15:41; Baker Oma (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Shedd Oma (roughing dbl minor, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Geary Wat (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33; Kerr Wat (boarding), 18:33; Klee Wat (roughing dbl minor, 10-minute misconduct), 18:33.
3rd Period-4, Omaha, Morrell 5 (Kusler, Salice), 3:06. 5, Waterloo, Erdman 10 (Schifsky, Robertson), 13:48 (PP). 6, Omaha, Jurecki 12 (Kusler, Lurie), 17:57. Penalties-Kerr Wat (major-kneeing, game misconduct-kneeing), 5:19; Stupka Oma (slashing), 6:18; Lurie Oma (tripping), 13:44.
1st OT Period-7, Waterloo, Matikka 22 (O'Connell), 4:08. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Omaha 7-6-14-3-30. Waterloo 12-14-13-2-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Omaha 0 / 4; Waterloo 1 / 6.
Goalies-Omaha, Hrabal 6-10-4-2 (41 shots-37 saves). Waterloo, Spicer 20-6-1-0 (30 shots-27 saves).
A-3,216
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United States Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2023
- Cedar Rapids Downs Youngstown 3-1 to Avoid Sweep - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lancers Force Overtime, But Fall in Waterloo - Omaha Lancers
- The Aftermath: Storm Completes Weekend Sweep - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Drop Last Game of February - Lincoln Stars
- Matikka Makes a Memorable Finish - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Steel Blanked by Green Bay in 2-0 Loss - Chicago Steel
- Jacks Stunned at Home, Fall 5-1 to 17's for Weekend Split - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Caps Fall in OT to Dubuque 4-3 - Madison Capitols
- Tri-City Storms Past Musketeers - Sioux City Musketeers
- Jacks Stunned at Home, Fall 5-1 to USA 17's for Weekend Split - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Herd Sweep Stars - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Bowers Goes Back to Boston - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Seeks Weekend Sweep of Musketeers - Tri-City Storm
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