Black Hawks Beat Phantoms 4-3, O’Handley Ties Record

The Waterloo Black Hawks led early and made their edge stand up late on Friday at the Covelli Center in Youngstown, Ohio, topping the host Phantoms 4-3 and earning Head Coach P.K. O’Handley the 529th victory of his coaching career.

With the win, O’Handley tied Mike Hastings, formerly of the Omaha Lancers, for the most regular season victories during a USHL coaching career.

Power play efficiency was the key to the Black Hawks’ early lead.  Just 2:45 into the game, Brandon Montour blasted a one-timer into the net from the high slot, set up by Peter Krieger while on an advantage.  Back on the power play just over ten minutes later, the Hawks struck again.  This time, Montour’s shot was redirected into the net with a tip by Patrick Russell between the hash marks at 12:47.

Krieger buried a rebound at even strength 1:39 into the second period, extending Waterloo’s lead after Sean Romeo had fought off Liam Pecararo’s initial shot.  However, the Phantoms battled back, beginning at 6:30, when the Hawks couldn’t clear their zone and Tommy Parran fired a shot into the
net from the blue line.  Then during a five-on-three power play, Kiefer Sherwood drew Youngstown back within a goal, potting a chance from the left wing circle after receiving a cross-slot pass from the opposite corner.

Mark Friedman reestablished the two-goal edge 1:40 into the third, slinging a shot from the deep slot into the net.  However, Parran scored from the left wing circle with nine minutes remaining, to make it a one-goal game once more.  The Phantoms thought they had earned an equalizer with just over two minutes left, but a shot batted into the net by a high stick was ruled to be no goal.

Cal Petersen made 17 saves for his 20th win of the season.  Romeo stopped 32 of 36 shots.

The Hawks play the second of four consecutive road contests Saturday, visiting the National Team Development Program Under-18’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

For Friday's box score, click on the link below:
http://ushl2011.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=2234638