WATERLOO, IA (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Stampede came out with energy, but fell behind 2-0 in the first period and it proved to be too much as they fell 4-1 to the Waterloo Black Hawks Saturday night at Young Arena. Will McDonough tallied a power play goal in the second period while Xavier Medina stopped 37 of 40 shots in goal for the Herd who fell to 5-6-1 on the season.
The Stampede came out of the gates playing well and got some good scoring chances, but weren’t able to get to the back of the net. The Black Hawks tallied the first goal of the game at 9:02 when James Hong tallied his third goal of the season when he was left all alone in front of the net and batted in a rebound. Minutes later, the Hawks went on the power play and they would take advantage. Ben Robertson took a shot that took a weird bounce off a Stampede skate and right onto the tape of Sam Rinzel who blasted a shot past the outstretched Medina for a 2-0 advantage. Clint Levens nearly got the Herd on the board with a breakaway late in the period, but was stopped by Waterloo goaltender Jack Spicer and the Black Hawks took a 2-0 lead into the locker room. Waterloo out shot the Stampede 18-8 in the period.
The Stampede didn’t let the deficit get them down as they entered the ice during the second period and eventually got a power play chance and cashed in at the 8:57 mark. Evan Murr held the puck in the high slot and waited patiently before sending a pass into the left circle for Will McDonough who one-timed the puck past the stick side of the netminder to make it a 2-1 game. Sioux Falls would have to kill off a few more penalties in the period, but kept it a one-goal game heading into the final frame. Waterloo out shot the Herd 9-5 in the period.
The Herd had plenty of chances to tie the game in the third with three power play chances, but they could not get the bounce they needed and remained down by a goal. Right after their final power play chance expired, a turnover in the neutral zone led to a 3-on-1 for the Hawks and Gavin O’Connell finished the play with a one-timer into the net for a 3-1 advantage. The Herd did their best to try and pull back within a goal, but the Black Hawks shut the door and would add an empty netter in the final seconds to seal the game at 4-1.
Waterloo out shot Sioux Falls 15-13 in the third period and 42-28 on the night. The Herd finished the night 1-for-5 on the power play while the Black Hawks went 1-for-4.
The Stampede return to action next weekend with a home-and-home series against Sioux City with Friday’s game being played at the PREMIER Center. It is also Military Appreciation Night where the Herd will salute the men and women of our armed forces throughout the night and a special pre-game ceremony prior to the start of the game. Tickets for Veterans and active members of the military can get complimentary tickets through the Stampede office. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM with doors opening at 6 PM.
