Black Hawks Slip Against Force

A pair of third period goals made the difference as the Fargo Force rallied past the Waterloo Black Hawks during a 4-3 United States Hockey League (USHL) contest at Young Arena on Friday, October 10, 2104.

On a power play with 10:50 remaining in regulation, Brody Stevens erased a Black Hawks’ lead, knocking Denis Smirnov’s pass into the net while in transition. The visitors recorded the game-winner at 13:35 on a blast by Justin Baudry.

Waterloo had claimed a 2-0 edge during the first period, thanks to a redirection by Max Coatta on Brandon Montour’s shot at 13:34, then a Marcel Godbout chance from the left circle, which beat a screened Mathias Israelsson just 88 seconds later.

Fargo made their first comeback of the night during the second, beginning at 4:12 when Zach Yon sped to the net and slipped the puck past Hayden Lavigne. The Waterloo netminder turned away Smirnov’s breakaway at 6:11 to keep the Hawks in front, but Fargo eventually equalized at 13:58 when Mason Morelli snapped a shot to the back of the cage.

The Hawks went back to the lead 1:10 before the second intermission on a power play redirection by Brock Boeser. That special teams marker and a 33-20 edge in shots on goal were not enough to overcome Fargo’s late surge. It was the Force’s second one-goal win against the Hawks during the early season.

Waterloo moves on to face another Western Conference opponent on Saturday, traveling to Sioux Falls for a tilt with the Stampede. Game time is 7:05 p.m.