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Waterloo Black Hawks

Stars Start Fast, Surge Past Black Hawks

April 16, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Lincoln Stars scored in the early minutes of each period and claimed a wire-to-wire 6-1 victory over the Waterloo Black Hawks Tuesday at Young Arena.

Tuesday's matchup was Game Two in the brief best-of-three series between the teams. Lincoln had also celebrated a Game One victory, so Game Two clinched the Stars' ticket to the USHL Western Conference Semifinals.

Yan Shostak starred during the two meetings. His 39-save Tuesday performance followed a 40-save effort in Game One. Unlike Monday, Lincoln provided him with ample offensive support in the series sequel.

A pair of goals early in the first period gave the Stars a lead for the entirety of the night. Aiden Janz had the first one at 2:31, finding the rebound of Max Ferkodic's initial sharp-angled attempt. One minute, 24 seconds later, Ryan Spinale lifted a long attempt toward the net from the right point; it caught part of goalie Calvin Vachon and made it inside the post.

The Stars did more early scoring in the second. After killing a penalty in the opening minute out of intermission, Lincoln benefitted when a defenseman's stick broke. The Hawks were caught scrambling as Dashel Oliver lifted a shot from the left circle into the top corner. Then at 2:26, Justin Mexico backed down a defender before rifling a transition opportunity to the same spot.

Matt Maltais stretched the margin to five goals at the 55-second mark of the third period. After a rush had stalled and the puck ended up behind the Waterloo net, Maltais retrieved it and scored on a low, spinning shot from the left circle.

Jack Spicer entered in relief, and the Hawks brought him to the bench for an extra attacker with eight minutes remaining. Waterloo was still skating six-on-five when Myles Hilman produced the lone Waterloo goal at 15:30, redirecting Dylan Compton's shot from the left point.

However, a Lincoln takeaway near the Waterloo blue line led to Oliver's second goal of the night, into an empty net at 17:35.

The Black Hawks year ends after a 35-25-2 record during the USHL regular season. Highlights from the campaign included wins during traditional holiday matchups on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. Gavyn Thoreson paced Waterloo with 65 points, while John Mustard was at the top of the goal column with 29. Vachon earned 22 wins while placing among the USHL's top five netminders in both goals-against average and save percentage.

Season tickets for the 2024/25 Black Hawks campaign are on sale now, with additional details available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com. The schedule for next season will be released during the early summer with an anticipated opening date in late September.

Lincoln 2 2 2 - 6

Waterloo 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period-1, Lincoln, Janz 1 (Ferkodic, Janviriya), 2:31. 2, Lincoln, Spinale 1 (Masa, Weber), 4:05. Penalties-Peters Lin (diving/embellishment), 11:36; Townsend Wat (hooking), 11:36; Mangan Lin (holding), 18:34.

2nd Period-3, Lincoln, Oliver 1 (Mangan, Weber), 1:05. 4, Lincoln, Mexico 1 (Janz, Rombach), 2:26. Penalties-Brown Lin (head contact), 3:04; Felicio Wat (interference), 3:45; Kerr Wat (cross checking), 6:04; Janz Lin (high sticking), 14:55.

3rd Period-5, Lincoln, Maltais 1 (Loomer), 0:55. 6, Waterloo, Hilman 1 (Compton, Nevers), 15:30. 7, Lincoln, Oliver 2 (Pechar, Yavash), 17:35. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Lincoln 11-5-9-25. Waterloo 13-17-10-40.

Power Play Opportunities-Lincoln 0 / 2; Waterloo 0 / 3.

Goalies-Lincoln, Shostak (40 shots-39 saves). Waterloo, Vachon (17 shots-12 saves); Spicer (8 shots-7 saves).

A-1,490

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2024


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