Black Hawks Close Out Busy Weekend With Win

The Waterloo Black Hawks wrapped up a three-game weekend Sunday night at Young Arena with a dominating win over the Omaha Lancers.

The win move Waterloo into third place in the United States Hockey League's Western Conference.

The line of Garrett Wait, Jack Drury, and Bobby Trivigno was responsible for four goals during a 5-2 Waterloo Black Hawks win Sunday afternoon against the Omaha Lancers at Young Arena.

In the first period, Waterloo outshot Omaha 16-3, but the Lancers had the only lead prior to intermission. First and icing call and then a puck lifted out of play marooned a group of Hawks defenders on the ice. Noah Cates made the most of the situation when the puck came to him and he beat Matej Tomek to the stick side at 7:47.

Drury’s hustle allowed Waterloo to retie it before intermission. The first player on the ice during a shift change, Drury forced a tie-up in the left wing corner. That bought time for Trivigno to take the puck, step behind the net, and set up Garrett Wait for a one-touch goal from the top of the crease at 12:54.

The run by the home team was extended with two early second period goals. At the 42-second mark, Trivigno hopped over the boards on a change, swiped the puck at the Lancer line, and beat Zach Driscoll with a wrister from the left circle. The Hawks struck again at 4:52. Joey Cassetti sprang Evan Dougherty through the neutral zone, and Dougherty ripped a shot past Driscoll’s stick side from the opposite circle.

Waterloo spent the final three minutes of the third period shorthanded and were still down a skater to start the third due to a five minute boarding penalty on Hank Sorensen. Nick Perbix eventually delivered a power play goal for the Lancers at 1:15.

The Hawks maintained their 3-2 margin until 11:54, when Drury reestablished a two-goal edge. Skating below the left circle, Drury beat Driscoll with a shot inside the post. The Lancers lifted their netminder with three minutes to play, but Waterloo fended off an extended stretch in the defensive zone before Wait added an empty-netter at 18:47.

Tomek made 27 saves for the win; Waterloo outshot the Lancers 31-29.

The Hawks play their final January road game next Friday against the Lincoln Stars. Then they return home for a Saturday match-up against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

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Contributed By: Tim Harwodd (Waterloo Black Hawks Media Relations)