Black Hawks Force Game 5

Facing elimination, the Waterloo Black Hawks thrilled the hometown crowd with a win against the Sioux City Musketeers. A 'winner take all' Game 5 is set for Tuesday.

Two Waterloo Black Hawks power play goals made the difference on Saturday (May 6, 2017) during a must-win 3-1 victory against the Sioux City Musketeers at Young Arena.

The Hawks had not led in regulation at any point during the USHL Western Conference Finals series. That changed Saturday night. They jumped ahead thanks to a power play at 8:05 of the first. Bailey Conger found Ethan Spaxman creeping in from the right point and the big Black Hawks defenseman roofed a shot under the crossbar. Sioux City tied the matchup with a power play of their own. At 13:19, Phil Knies made an extra pass, leaving Kristian Pospisil with an open side.

Just before intermission however, Waterloo pulled back into the lead thanks to Conger’s long reach. Alex Limoges fended off a check in the right corner, then slipped the puck behind the net. Conger wrapped it quickly around and in before Matiss Kivlenieks could move to the post at his right.

The two teams had alternating power play opportunities throughout the second period, with the Hawks cashing in for the frame’s only goal in the final minute before intermission. As Waterloo’s power play was about to end, Jackson Cates came up the ice in transition, cut through the left circle, and snapped a shot past Kivlenieks. Limoges – who had set up each of the first two Hawks’ goals – made the pass to create the play.

Robbie Beydoun made 28 saves in the victory. Kivlenieks was credited with 31 stops.

Game Five will be at Tyson Events Center on Tuesday. The teams split Games One and Two there last Friday and Sunday. The 7:05 contest will determine which club meets the Chicago Steel in the Clark Cup Championship Series beginning next weekend.