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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Year of the Comeback Continues

February 24, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks scored four unanswered goals Friday and won for the sixth time this season when trailing at the second intermission, recovering from a 3-0 deficit to edge the Fargo Force 4-3 in overtime.

Owen Baker had the Hawks' first and last goals. Garrett Schifsky scored twice in the third period, including a late equalizer which forced extra hockey. Goaltender Emmett Croteau made 29 saves for the win, including three in overtime.

The teams were skating four-on-four when the Force went to the lead at 13:52 of the first. Cole Knuble's shot from the high slot was knocked down, but he found his own rebound in the left circle, turned, and lifted in the follow-up chance. Fargo struck again 91 seconds later; Kyle Smolen's redirection was blocked but came right back to him and he snapped it past Emmett Croteau's stick.

The Force made it 3-0 at 2:55 of the second period. A shot from the right point created the opportunity for Charlie Russell to slip a pass across the top of the crease and for Owen Mehlenbacher to finish the chance into an open side.

Waterloo responded during the closing seconds of a power play at 13:06. Miko Matikka advanced the puck on right wing and connected with Baker at the inside edge of the opposite circle. Baker released an immediate shot which went inside the post before Matej Marinov could go from left to right.

Schifsky drew the Hawks within one just 1:20 out of intermission. Caden Brown entered the offensive zone one-on-one, but Schifsky stormed up the slot into the play, redirecting Brown's feed between Marinov's skates.

The Hawks denied two Fargo power plays in the last 12 minutes - finishing the night four-for-four on the penalty kill - before going to their own power play during the final five. Two seconds after the Force returned to full strength and with 2:03 left in regulation, Schifsky leveled the score when he pounced of the rebound of Nate Benoit's initial blast from the left point.

The winning goal came at 2:41 of overtime. Sam Rinzel narrowly avoided putting himself offside but got his right skate to the blue line before pulling the puck into the offensive zone. Moving from the deep slot into the right circle, Rinzel reversed a pass back to Owen Baker barreling toward the net. With an open side, Baker chopped in the winner, becoming the fifth different Black Hawk to score in overtime this season.

The Hawks are now 9-1 during games settled by overtime or shootouts in 2022/23.

Waterloo remains at home Saturday against the Omaha Lancers at 6:05 p.m. It's Country Night, with Catfish Murphy performing live in the Coors Light Cold Zone. The first 500 fans in attendance will also receive a dog bandana. For seats, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

Fargo 2 1 0 0 - 3

Waterloo 0 1 2 1 - 4

1st Period-1, Fargo, Knuble 23 13:52. 2, Fargo, Smolen 15 (Stender, Napier), 15:23. Penalties-Smolen Fgo (slashing), 12:53; Schifsky Wat (roughing), 12:53.

2nd Period-3, Fargo, Mehlenbacher 15 (Russell, Boser), 2:55. 4, Waterloo, Baker 9 (Matikka, Robertson), 13:06 (PP). Penalties-Brown Wat (high sticking), 5:56; Boser Fgo (tripping), 11:25; Menghini Fgo (boarding), 13:38; O'Connell Wat (high sticking), 14:59.

3rd Period-5, Waterloo, Schifsky 17 (Brown, Benoit), 1:20. 6, Waterloo, Schifsky 18 (Benoit, Croteau), 17:57. Penalties-Geary Wat (interference), 8:21; Lindberg Wat (checking from behind), 11:56; Napier Fgo (tripping), 15:55.

1st OT Period-7, Waterloo, Baker 10 (Rinzel, Benoit), 2:41. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Fargo 13-10-6-3-32. Waterloo 4-8-8-1-21.

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

Goalies-Fargo, Marinov 18-0-1-2 (21 shots-17 saves). Waterloo, Croteau 8-8-0-0 (32 shots-29 saves).

A-3,004

Referees-Anthony Vikhter.

Linesmen-Aaron Mostrom, Default Linesman.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2023


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