USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Sioux City Swaggers to Victory

Published on December 29, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Ben Steeves and Michael LaStarza traded multigoal efforts in the third period Tuesday, but the Sioux City Musketeers stayed out of reach, topping the Waterloo Black Hawks at Young Arena 7-3.

The Musketeers already led 3-1 when the final frame began, and just 1:11 after intermission ended, Garrett Brown stretched the ice with a pass that sprung Steeves behind the Black Hawks defense. Steeves made the most of the opportunity, sending the visitors to their second three-goal lead of the night.

LaStarza soon cued the rally that brought the Hawks as close as they had been since the opening period. At 4:02, he was camped out at the top of the crease. The puck found him, and LaStarza slipped a low shot under Axel Mangbo.

The second-year Waterloo forward then trimmed Sioux City's lead even further at 6:31. Tucker Shedd's pass led James Hong into the offensive end, and Hong eluded a defender, opening a lane to set up LaStarza with an open side.

However, Sioux City controlled the ensuing faceoff, and just 13 seconds after LaStarza's goal, Steeves responded by dashing to the net to finish a two-on-one connection from Kirklan Irey. That goal broke Waterloo's momentum, and eventually the visitors added empty-netters from Luke Antonacci and Tomi Leppanen.

The Musketeers had enjoyed a plethora of chances in the early minutes of the game, including the first nine shots on goal. Their initial breakthrough came at 7:25. Bennett Schimek moved up the ice and through the left circle, beating Jack Williams with a low transition chance. Sioux City added another 1:20 later, again in transition, with Dylan James' pass across the slot setting up Owen McLaughlin. He fired the puck between the pipes from the right wing circle.

Sioux City added to their lead just 22 seconds into the second period. James gained control of a failed clearing attempt, feeding Brown, who was able to stride from the blue line to the right circle hashmark before lifting the puck to the top corner.

The Hawks got that goal back during a power play at 6:11. With his back to the net, Waterloo goal leader Garrett Schifsky batted a backhander blindly inside the post and past the right skate of Mangbo. Neither team could convert on a series of power plays later in the period, including a five-on-three Hawks advantage which lasted 1:36.

The Musketeers had double-digit shots in each period and finished with 38 to Waterloo's 27.

The Hawks are right back at it on Wednesday night, making their first visit of the season to Mystique Ice Center for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Sioux City 2 1 4 - 7

Waterloo 0 1 2 - 3

1st Period-1, Sioux City, Schimek 1 (Irey), 7:25. 2, Sioux City, McLaughlin 11 (James, Adamson), 8:45. Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-3, Sioux City, Brown 1 (McLaughlin, James), 0:22. 4, Waterloo, Schifsky 12 (Wylie, Reiners), 6:11 (PP). Penalties-Doran Sc (interference), 1:22; Hong Wat (tripping), 3:55; Schimek Sc (slashing), 5:23; Procious Wat (hooking), 8:00; Ness Wat (slashing), 12:50; Brown Sc (hooking), 14:38; Leppanen Sc (boarding), 15:02.

3rd Period-5, Sioux City, Steeves 9 (Brown), 1:11. 6, Waterloo, LaStarza 7 (O'Connell, Waldron), 4:02. 7, Waterloo, LaStarza 8 (Hong, Shedd), 6:31. 8, Sioux City, Steeves 10 (Irey), 6:44. 9, Sioux City, Antonacci 4 17:12. 10, Sioux City, Leppanen 2 19:05. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Sioux City 13-13-12-38. Waterloo 7-12-8-27.

Power Play Opportunities-Sioux City 0 / 3; Waterloo 1 / 4.

Goalies-Sioux City, Mangbo 5-3-1-1 (27 shots-24 saves). Waterloo, Williams 7-7-0-1 (38 shots-31 saves).

A-2,140

Referees-Nolan Bloyer, Jack Young.

Linesmen-Matthew Bleck, Michael Ifkovits.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central