Black Hawks Fall to Fargo, But Win Cowbell Cup

Three first period goals by the Fargo Force at Young Arena Saturday set up a 4-2 victory by the visitors on a night when the Waterloo Black Hawks were still able to claim one of the trophies they compete for each season.

It took much of the second period, but Waterloo drew back within one goal by the end of the 20-minute segment. With 1:27 to go before intermission, Patrick Russell snapped a shot under the crossbar for his team-leading 26th goal of the season.

Waterloo could not manage an equalizer in the third, and Garick Gray slipped the puck into an open net with 68 seconds to go, sealing the outcome.

Elsewhere in the USHL, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defeated the Dubuque Fighting Saints, an outcome which secured the Prairie Farms Cowbell Cup for the Black Hawks. Dubuque has no more games remaining in the three-team series, and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders cannot overtake Waterloo during their two remaining games with the Hawks.

Waterloo now shares first place overall in the USHL with the Indiana Ice, who topped the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday. Indiana has one game in hand. However, the Hawks’ four-point margin over the Omaha Lancers in the Western Conference was maintained as Omaha fell to the Sioux City Musketeers. Waterloo has an extra game remaining on the schedule in relation to the Lancers.

The Hawks stay on home ice for their next game Friday against the Des Moines Buccaneers. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive the final installment of 2013/14 Black Hawks player cards, presented by Smitty’s Bar, and 1,000 fans will also take home Black Hawks koozies, courtesy of Hy-Vee. Tickets for the 7:05 matchups are available online from waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.