Saints Double Up Black Hawks, 4-2

The Dubuque Fighting Saints scored early and never trailed, topping the Waterloo Black Hawks 4-2 at Mystique Ice Center on Saturday, January 3, 2014.

The only goal during the first period was scored 67 seconds after the opening faceoff. Andrew Kerr took a long shot from the right point, which deflected off a Black Hawk and across the slot to Evan Smith, who shoveled the puck past a startled Trevor Gorsuch.

Waterloo scored an even quicker goal at the beginning of the second. Hayden Shaw and Niko Hildenbrand forced a turnover at center, then fed the puck to Henrik Rommel, who crossed the blue line and roofed a shot over the left shoulder of Gavin Nieto at :52.

The game seesawed back to Dubuque in the third; Gordie Green squeaked a shot inside the short side pipe at 3:13. The Hawks tied it again justover four minutes later when Brock Boeser swept a pass across the low slot to Tom Novak, who scored on one touch.

However, Dubuque went back in front for good when Willie Knierim redirected a J.D. Dudek shot at 9:29. The score did not change during subsequent power plays for each team. Nate Sucese added a final goal into an empty net with under seven seconds remaining.

After Saturday’s eastbound excursion, the Black Hawks will head the opposite way next weekend. The next two scheduled contests for Waterloo will be in Kearney, Nebraska versus the Tri-City Storm Friday and Saturday.

For Saturday's box score, please click here.