Waterloo widened their lead in the USHL Western Conference by winning two more games on the road at Omaha. The Black Hawks are 18-5-1 with 37 points and a HUGE nine point lead over 2nd place Fargo.

SATURDAY NIGHT AT OMAHA
A 27-save shutout by Gabriel Carriere sent the Black Hawks into the holidays with a 3-0 win against the Omaha Lancers Saturday at Ralston Arena.

It looked like every save would be vital as the teams played nearly 53 minutes without a goal. Waterloo had a 12-9 edge in shots during the first period, but the Lancers had a dozen in the second, while holding the Hawks to seven. The only power plays of the game resulted from second period penalties; Omaha went on the advantage twice, while Waterloo was turned away on their only opportunity. Griffin Ness provided the scoring breakthrough at 12:56 of the third. Just 12 seconds later, the Hawks made it 2-0 wheen Wyatt Schingoethe score on a rebound to double the lead. With just over three minute remaining and an extra Omaha attacker on the ice, Ness sent the puck up the ice and into an open net from his own blue line to help seal the win. It was the second consecutive night in which a three-goal third period lifted Waterloo past the Lancers.

FRIDAY NIGHT AT OMAHA
Waterloo scored three times in the third period Friday in a 5-3 win against the Omaha Lancers at Ralston Arena to give Head Coach P.K. O’Handley his 600th regular season victory since joining the organization in 2002.

Two Hawks who had never previously scored USHL goals helped make Friday’s result possible. Trailing 3-2 early in the third period, Jacob Jeannette was behind the Omaha net. He sent the puck from there, off an Omaha defender standing near the top of the crease, and it ricocheted in past the net minder. After Jeannette’s first goal in junior competition at 3:43, the Hawks would not trail again. At 13:42, John Waldron added his first in league play with the Lancer net empty – Jeannette came out of the penalty box to gather a loose puck at center, skating it into the open goal with 27.9 seconds remaining. Gabriel Carriere made 31 saves for the victory, including 20 in the second period when the Hawks were shorthanded four times and out-shot 21-5.

ON CHRISTMAS BREAK
Waterloo is now off for the United States Hockey League’s holiday break. The Black Hawks return to action Friday, December 27th on the road against the Des Moines Buccaneers. Then they are back home in Young Arena on Saturday, December 28th vs. Des Moines followed by a New Year's eve tilt vs. Madison. For tickets go to: waterlooblackhawks.com/tickets or call the box office at 319-232-3444.

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