A dramatic comeback was worth one point for the Waterloo Black Hawks, but not two on Friday at Scheels Arena in Fargo as the Force nipped the visitors 3-2 in a shootout on October 24, 2014.

On the power play and with a sixth attacker on the ice as the third period waned, Brandon Montour’s shot from the left point rebounded to Tom Novak in the right circle. The Waterloo forward squeezed the puck past Mathias Israelsson with 15.9 seconds remaining to force overtime and earn a point in the United States Hockey League standings.

During the extra period, the Hawks turned away a Fargo power play and four Force scoring chances. Hawks goaltender Hayden Lavigne finished the affair with 38 saves in 65 minutes. However, Kyle Sylvester and Denis Smirnov converted shootout opportunities and the Force claimed the other possible standings point.

In two prior meetings, Waterloo had outshot Fargo in all six periods played, but on Friday, the Force had 14 chances to nine during the opening 20 minutes. Lavigne turned away everything which came his way, including a two-on-none breakaway triggered by Austin Pooley five minutes into the game, and a one-time chance from C.J. Hayes on a cross-ice feed during the latter half of the period.

Rem Pitlick scored his first USHL goal to put Waterloo ahead 3:03 into the second period. Montour drew the Force’s attention moving up right wing into the corner before slipping a pass to Pitlick, who knocked the puck over the goal line. However, Fargo prevented Waterloo from carrying the lead to intermission, scoring with 36 seconds remaining on the clock during a delayed penalty situation. Pooley got the last touch from close range.

Novak’s late goal was necessary after the Force took their first lead, thanks to a power play at 17:08 of the third. T.J. Roo lifted a shot to the twine for Fargo’s lone conversion in six chances. Waterloo went one-for-seven on the power play.

The Hawks move on to Lincoln to face the Stars next Friday during the third of four consecutive games away from home.

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