After coming out on the short end of five consecutive regular season or playoff overtime games, the Waterloo Black Hawks won a crucial Game Three during their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Lincoln Stars, 2-1 in overtime at the Ice Box in Lincoln Wednesday.

Three minutes into extra time, Bobby Trivigno sprang Jackson Cates and Garrett Wait with a breakout pass. Cates and Wait passed back and forth, with Cates finishing a tap-in past a sprawled Tomas Vomacka.

The win moves Waterloo into a two-games-to-one lead during the best-of-five series against the Stars. The winner will meet the Fargo Force in the USHL Western Conference Final.

Jared Moe made 27 saves for his second win of the series. He was particularly busy in the closing minutes of regulation, stopping a last Lincoln transition chance with 1.4 seconds to go.

Defenseman Ben Finkelstein’s determination had led to the opening goal of the game 1:36 after the first faceoff. Finkelstein pushed the puck into the offensive zone, then followed it up by knocking it into the left wing corner. Finding it again there, he centered for Jack Drury, who stood unmarked at the front of the net, and capitalized on the opportunity.

The Stars converted their third power play situation of the game to tie the score at 9:05 of the second. A shot from the high slot by Collin Peters didn’t get through, but set up the chance for Paul Cotter to slip the puck in from the side of the net.

The Hawks now have a chance to win the series on Thursday (April 26, 2018) during Game Four, which will also be played at the Ice Box. If the Stars stave off elimination, Game Five will be at Young Arena on Saturday at 7:05 PM. Under those circumstances, tickets will be available online Thursday evening and available from the Black Hawks offices by phone or in person Friday morning beginning at 9:00 AM.

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

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