A late goal and a vital shot block propelled the Waterloo Black Hawks to a dramatic 3-2 win against the Des Moines Buccaneers Saturday, on the road at Buccaneer Arena.

With just 57 seconds left in regulation, Brandon Montour’s shot from the
right point could not make it to the net through traffic.  However, the
puck bounced directly to Peter Krieger at the right faceoff dot, and
Waterloo’s leading scorer blasted the Hawks in front with an attempt that
could not be stopped.  At the other end of the rink, with under five
seconds remaining, Alec McCrea was just as well positioned, blocking a Des
Moines shot aimed for an otherwise open net, which would have sent the
contest to overtime.

Just 68 seconds into the game, Drew Melanson had given Waterloo the lead
before the seats were warm on a play very similar to the one which created
Krieger’s game-winner.  Tim Lappin’s shot from the right point deflected
to Melanson at the inside edge of the left circle, and Melanson flipped
the puck past a startled Billy Christopoulos.  Neither side could change
the score during the remainder of the first period, despite four combined
power play opportunities.

The teams did exchange power play goals in the second.  Des Moines tied
the contest at 12:21 when Corey Schueneman’s shot from the high slot beat
Cal Petersen low to the glove side.  However, Waterloo retook the lead
during the final seconds of a five-minute power play at 18:17 as Krieger
feathered a pass to Liam Pecararo, and the veteran forward redirected it
while dashing to the net.

Des Moines capitalized on another power play in the third period to even
the contest with 8:46 remaining.  Marcel Godbout handled the puck across
the blue line, zigzagging through defenders, before firing a shot under
the crossbar.

Petersen was credited with the victory and 27 saves, while Christopoulos
made 30, but suffered the loss.  Coupled with the Omaha Lancers’ 4-1
defeat versus the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday evening, the Black Hawks
now lead Omaha and the Indiana Ice by three points each in the United
States Hockey League standings.

The Hawks’ weekend expedition leaves the club with just three road games
remaining on the schedule.  Waterloo returns home to face the Sioux City
Musketeers on Friday, one of seven contests at Young Arena still to be
played during 2013/14. 

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