Hawks Celebrate Strong Finish

October 22, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

It took 28 shots for the Waterloo Black Hawks to score their first goal Saturday. Ultimately, the Hawks found the net with three of their last eight tries, coming back to beat the Omaha Lancers 3-2 in overtime at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in the Omaha suburbs.

The result moves Waterloo back to .500 for the season (4-4-0), as the Hawks picked up all four possible standings points during a weekend trip that began in Sioux Falls Friday. Waterloo also moved from seventh place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference prior to Friday’s puck drop, up the fourth by the time they rolled home from Nebraska.

James Hong started the comeback at 6:55 of the third period. A transition opportunity fizzled, but Tyler Procious caught up with the puck on the right boards. The defenseman who played his first USHL games as a member of the Lancers slung a pass to Hong in the slot. Hong solved Michael Hrabal with the first shot the big Czech netminder could not turn away.

Procious was at it again just over seven minutes later. Finding the handle along the end wall, his feed to the top of the crease clicked with Garrett Schifsky. The Michigan recruit stickhandled, opening up Hrabal to push the puck past his left skate.

After Waterloo was denied on a late power play, the Lancers controlled the puck first in overtime. They were unable to generate a chance from close range, and Aaron Pionk took over. His pass found Schifsky speeding to the Lancer line. As Schifsky drew the lone Omaha defender, he feathered a pass to the slot. Gavyn Thoreson was barreling up the ice and squeezed in a shot to Hrabal’s stick side at the 37-second mark.

The Hawks had been turned away on three first period power plays, and the Lancers carried a 1-0 lead into intermission thanks to the period’s lone goal at 12:32. A neutral zone takeaway set up a two-on-one rush; Adam Cardona fed Braydon Beahm to scoop in the game’s first goal.

Marcus Broberg scored in the second to make it a 2-0 lead at3:46. His goal came from the left point as a screen developed, and the puck went over Emmett Croteau’s left shoulder.

Croteau made 26 saves for the win, with the Hawks outshooting the Lancers 35-28.

The Hawks next matchup opens an eight-game homestand. On Saturday, Waterloo hosts the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a Dupaco Cowbell Cup game at 3:05 p.m. The Hawks are offering a Scary Good Deal ticket package for $44. To order while supplies last, click here.

Waterloo 0 0 2 1 – 3

Omaha 1 1 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Omaha, Beahm 2 (Cardona), 12:32. Penalties-Lurie Oma (interference), 3:17; Diamond Oma (kneeing), 6:52; Baker Wat (major-fighting, misconduct-fighting), 13:16; Wattvil Oma (major-fighting, misconduct-fighting), 13:16; D’Ancona Oma (tripping), 14:23.

2nd Period-2, Omaha, Broberg 1 (D’Ancona, Salice), 3:46. Penalties-Baker Oma (roughing), 5:04; Schifsky Wat (elbowing), 5:39; Geary Wat (slashing), 6:54.

3rd Period-3, Waterloo, Hong 1 (Procious), 6:55. 4, Waterloo, Schifsky 4 (Procious), 14:18. Penalties-Baker Wat (roughing), 3:56; Werner Oma (roughing), 3:56; Klee Wat (holding), 10:53; Cerbone Oma (holding), 16:04.

1st OT Period-5, Waterloo, Thoreson 4 (Schifsky), 0:37. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 7-13-14-1-35. Omaha 7-14-7-0-28.

Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 5; Omaha 0 / 3.

Goalies-Waterloo, Croteau 3-4-0-0 (28 shots-26 saves). Omaha, Hrabal 2-0-2-1 (35 shots-32 saves).

A-2,369

Referees-Jared Cummins, Andrew Rasky.

Linesmen-Default Linesman, Dane Hopkins.

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