Transition Scoring Propels Hawks’ Win
October 21, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
The Waterloo Black Hawks converted several odd-man chances on Friday and did not allow the Sioux Falls Stampede an even-strength goal during a 5-2 win at Denny Sanford Premier Center.
Scoring five times on 33 shots, the Hawks provided plenty of offensive support for goaltender Jack Spicer. Making his first regular season appearance, Spicer stopped 21 Sioux Falls chances for the victory.
Waterloo entered the game with one first period goal this season, but recorded a pair in the opening 20 minutes. Each of those scores came from almost identical spots near the left faceoff dot. At 10:25, Garrett Schifsky was alone on the left side of the rink, and Owen Baker found him with a cross-ice pass. Schifsky beat Jackson Irving with a low shot to the glove side and inside the opposite post.
Baker notched the next goal at 13:06, squeezing in a low chance in transition. Patrick Geary and Myles Hilman helped set up the opportunity.
The Hawks outshot Sioux Falls 18-6 before intermission, but a late power play allowed Maddox Fleming to slice the lead in half with a one-timer from the top of the left circle at 17:24.
Fleming’s second power play goal of the night tied the score briefly at 12:59 of the second. He was left with a wide open side thanks to Sam Harris’ behind-the-back pass from behind the net.
Nicholas DeGraves established a new Waterloo lead just 25 seconds later. The puck came to him in the right circle, and he beat Irving with the resulting chance.
Waterloo produced the only goals in the third period, and the Hawks pulled away. At 4:45, Schifsky rifled a shot under the crossbar on Gavin Lindberg’s two-on-one setup across the slot. Then with 3:26 to go, Gavyn Thoreson cleaned up the rebounded of Ben Robertson’s initial try, tapping in a power play goal from the top of the crease.
The Hawks play their third road game in an eight-day span on Saturday against the Omaha Lancers at 6:05 p.m.
Waterloo 2 1 2 – 5
Sioux Falls 1 1 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Schifsky 2 (Baker, Kerr), 10:25. 2, Waterloo, Baker 2 (Hilman, Geary), 13:06. 3, Sioux Falls, Fleming 2 (Rud, Ring), 17:24 (PP). Penalties-Rud Sf (holding), 5:46; Procious Wat (head contact), 17:01.
2nd Period-4, Sioux Falls, Fleming 3 (Harris), 12:59 (PP). 5, Waterloo, DeGraves 1 (Chaly), 13:24. Penalties-Geary Wat (high sticking), 11:58; Pionk Wat (checking from behind, misconduct-checking from behind), 17:14; Andersson Sf (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 17:14.
3rd Period-6, Waterloo, Schifsky 3 (Lindberg, McLean), 4:45. 7, Waterloo, Thoreson 3 (Schifsky, Robertson), 16:34 (PP). Penalties-Bruender Sf (high sticking), 15:34; Geary Wat (cross checking), 17:17.
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 18-6-9-33. Sioux Falls 6-10-7-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 1 / 2; Sioux Falls 2 / 3.
Goalies-Waterloo, Croteau 3-4-0-0 (23 shots-21 saves). Sioux Falls, Irving 2-2-0-0 (33 shots-28 saves).
A-3,906
Referees-Hunter Mottinger.
Linesmen-Alec Almquist (44), Reilly Hickey.
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