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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Same Margin, Different Winner

April 30, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks' four-goal third period broke open a close game against the Lincoln Stars Saturday, and the 6-1 result at Young Arena forces a decisive third game in the playoff series between the clubs.

Game Three is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The 3:05 p.m. matchup is a winner-take-all contest which will send either the Hawks or Stars into the Western Conference Final against the Fargo Force. Waterloo had to win Saturday's game to extend the weekend set after Lincoln had claimed a 7-2 Game One win Friday.

During Game Two's power play-filled first period, the Black Hawks recorded the only goal. At 16:04, Caden Brown dashed into the left corner and centered for Griffin Erdman. His first shot was stopped, but Erdman followed up and swatted in the rebound. Lincoln had been turned away on two earlier advantages. Erdman's goal came during the second of Hawks three power plays in the frame.

The second period included just as many power plays, but it took until the final minutes before a special teams goal was scored. First at 15:38, Connor Brown came from behind the Lincoln net and hit the top corner with a sharp-angled chance from near the bottom of the left circle. It was Waterloo's first even-strength goal of the series.

The Stars got that goal back with a power play conversion at 17:34; a pass across the top of the crease left Mason Marcellus with an open side, and he flipped in his try.

Just 56 seconds into the third period, Waterloo reestablished a two-goal lead. Gavyn Thoreson forced the puck up the left boards and across the Lincoln blue line, then clicked with Gavin O'Connell, who cut to the net through the left circle. Netminder Cameron Whitehead stayed low, but O'Connell stretched him out, squeezing a shot between Whitehead and the post to his right.

The 3-1 lead held for much of the period, including through two Lincoln power plays in the middle stages of the frame. Waterloo limited the Stars to one goal in seven total power play tries.

Then the Hawks' sixth power play set up a scoring outburst in the last 1:07 of the game. The Stars lifted Whitehead when the puck ended up in the Waterloo zone, but Gavin Lindberg fought his way up ice, holding on under pressure until he could get it to Caden Brown for a power play empty-netter.

Myles Hilman struck again 22 seconds later. James Hong's takeaway just outside the Lincoln blue line led to an errant shot, but Hong found his own rebound behind the net and set up Hilman in the slot.

A late penalty sequence led to one more Hawks power play in the final 15 seconds. Nate Benoit put a shot through from the right circle, creating a rebound for Connor Brown to score his second of the night with 1.1 seconds left.

Emmett Croteau was in net for the win with 28 saves as the Stars finished with a 29-28 edge in shots.

Seats for Sunday's game are on sale now from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

Lincoln 0 1 0 - 1

Waterloo 1 1 4 - 6

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Erdman 1 (Brown, Rinzel), 16:04 (PP). Penalties-Schifsky Wat (boarding), 2:25; Yavash Lin (cross checking), 7:05; Schifsky Wat (cross checking), 12:37; Jurcev Lin (holding), 15:14; Sambuco Lin (head contact), 18:51.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Brown 1 (Erdman), 15:38. 3, Lincoln, Marcellus 2 (Grimes, Ludtke), 17:34 (PP). Penalties-Bade Wat (boarding), 3:59; Raftery Lin (holding), 10:08; Rinzel Wat (slashing), 12:17; Mangan Lin (hooking), 12:55; Benoit Wat (interference), 17:26.

3rd Period-4, Waterloo, O'Connell 1 (Thoreson, Benoit), 0:56. 5, Waterloo, Brown 2 (Lindberg, Erdman), 18:53 (PP EN). 6, Waterloo, Hilman 1 (Hong), 19:15. 7, Waterloo, Brown 2 (Kerr, Benoit), 19:58 (PP). Penalties-Hilman Wat (high sticking), 7:28; Schifsky Wat (cross checking), 10:50; Dunbar Lin (high sticking), 17:10; Mesic Lin (bench minor-abuse of official), 19:45; Yavash Lin (cross checking), 19:45; Bade Wat (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:45; Kerr Wat (10-minute misconduct), 19:58.

Shots on Goal-Lincoln 10-13-6-29. Waterloo 11-8-11-30.

Power Play Opportunities-Lincoln 1 / 7; Waterloo 3 / 7.

Goalies-Lincoln, Whitehead (29 shots-24 saves). Waterloo, Croteau (29 shots-28 saves).

A-2,548

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