USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Shorthanded Time Signals Stomach-Turning Finish

Published on November 22, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks successfully killed one five minute major penalty during the second period Friday at Young Arena, but when a second was awarded to the U.S. National Team Development Program, it was the death knell for Waterloo's home winning streak and put the visitors on track for an 8-6 win.

Waterloo captain Tim Lappin had already been sent to the showers for a head contact major when Mitch DeMario was given five minutes and a game misconduct for facemasking at 12:53 of the second. The Hawks led 4-2 at the time, but Alex Tuch scored at 14:18 to slice into the margin, then Shane Gersich redirected a shot to tie the score less than a minute later. NTDP's first lead was established at 5-4 with Tuch's second power play goal on a rebound at 17:07 while the Hawks were two men shorthanded. It was the first of two five-on-three situations during the nightmarish stretch. However, while still down a man, Blake Winiecki scored his second of the game on a breakaway, allowing the Hawks to escape to intermission tied at five.

After the returning from the locker room, Hayden Shaw put a puck through traffic and into the net at 5:53 of the third period to give Waterloo an edge one last time at 6-5, but the margin lasted less than seven minutes before Dylan Larkin scored on a three-on-two rush. With 3:59 to play, Dylan Pavelek put the visitors in front for good, slipping behind the Hawks' defense to send a low shot past the right pad of Cal Petersen. Sonny Milano added an empty net goal with 49.7 seconds remaining in regulation to finish the scoring.

The game had been just 3:40 old when the Black Hawks struck for the first goal. Following strong puck possession, Patrick Russell received a feed and snapped a wrist shot under the crossbar from the right wing circle. Less than four minutes later, Waterloo extended the lead when John Wiitala sent a pass from the end wall to Winiecki for a quick redirection. Skating four-on-four, NTDP's Milano reduced the Hawks' edge back to one with 1:08 remaining before intermission, cutting across the slot a flipping a shot to the right of Petersen.

The visitors drew even at 2:47 of the second on a Jack Eichel goal from the left wing corner, but a redirection by Liam Pecararo on Shaw's shot at 4:05 put the Hawks back ahead. Tyler Sheehy's sharp shooting from a sharp angle made it a two-goal margin once again at 12:16 of the middle period.

Before Friday, Waterloo had won six consecutive games at Young Arena since falling 3-2 to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the home opener on September 27th. The National Team Development Program finished the evening 3-for-9 on the power play, while Waterloo went 0-for-4, with all of their opportunities originating prior to the 10:10 mark of the second period.

The Hawks wrap up the weekend on the road Saturday against the Lincoln Stars at 7:05. Radio coverage of the game begins at 6:45 on 1650, The Fan and 1650thefan.com. Tickets are still on sale for Waterloo's traditional Thanksgiving game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders; visit waterlooblackhawks.com or call (319) 291-7680 for more details.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2013


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