Waterloo had a successful trip to Nebraska this past weekend...improving to 24-6-1 (49 pts) and extending their USHL Western Conference lead to 13 points over 2nd place Fargo (36 pts) and knocking Tri-City back into a 3rd place tie with Omaha (35 pts).

FRIDAY NIGHT VS. TRI-CITY
For the second consecutive night, Waterloo edged the Storm at the Viaero Center in Kearney, Nebraska; Saturday’s 3-2 final matched the count from 24 hours earlier.

Defenseman Luke Bast rang up the first goal of the night at 17:45 of the first. One minute 17 seconds later, Waterloo went back to the lead. Jacob Bengtsson feigned a shot from the left point; his pass found Griffin Ness coming out of the opposite corner, and Ness spiked in his chance from close range. Ness helped create a crucial insurance goal at 7:13 of the third. Tying up the puck behind the Storm net, he bought time for Waterloo to get organized in the offensive zone, eventually pulling it free and moving to the slot. After skating all the way across the face of goal, he put an attempt toward the net, and Wyatt Schingoethe got there to stuff it in. Logan Stein stopped 14 other Tri-City shots in the third to preserve the win.  The Storm outshot the Black Hawks in every period and by a final count of 39-21, forcing 37 saves from the Hawks’ netminder.

SATURDAY NIGHT VS. TRI-CITY
Waterloo won their fifth overtime game in six tries this season, edging the Tri-City Storm 3-2 on Friday on the road in Nebraska.

After being out-shot 36-23 in regulation, Waterloo recorded the game-winner at 2:38 of the extra frame. Xander Lamppa lifted the puck toward the net from the left circle. With Patrick Guzzo at the front of the net, the chance eluded the Storm's netminder Ryan Ouellette and trickled across the goal line. Gabriel Carriere put the Hawks in position to push the game to overtime for the win. He made a season-high 36 saves, including 17 in a scoreless third period. The result was Carriere’s 13th win of the season.

TUESDAY NIGHT VS. TRI-CITY AT YOUNG ARENA
The same teams meet this Tuesday at Young Arena for a 7:05pm match-up on the 25th anniversary of the first game played in the building. The first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative key chain. Also, hot dogs, nachos, and soft drinks will be $2 on game night. For tickets, call the box office at (319) 291-7680 or go waterlooblackhawks.com/tickets

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