WATERLOO, IA. – The Lancers stayed in eastern Iowa for the second night in a row. And after a 7-3 loss in Dubuque last night (10/13) the Lancers were looking to bounce back against the Waterloo Black Hawks at Young Arena.
 
The Lancers fell last April to the 'Hawks at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, which was Waterloo's first regulation victory over Omaha since December of 2019. As Omaha has won 12 of the last 18 matchups, currently holding a record of 12-1-5 in those 18 games. So the Lancers were looking to keep their rhythm against the Black Hawks tonight (10/14).
 
The first period concluded scoreless as the Black Hawks out shot the Lancers 12-8, and both teams were 0/1 on the man-advantage.
 
With eight second left in the first period of play, Ryan Kusler threw fists with Griffin Erdman, which would sideline both players for the majority of the second period of play.
 
The second period started with both teams finding the back of the net as Teddy Townsend netted his first of the season, followed by Aleksi Kivioja doing the same to even the score at one goal apiece.
 
Shortly after tying the game, Noah Jones picked up a boarding call, that was immediately followed by him taking down Jaedon Kerr in a fight, in what essentially was a one-punch victory.
 
Waterloo's offense then kicked things into high gear as they netted three goals over the course of the next six minutes. With a power-play goal from Adam Zlinka, a shorthanded goal from Jakub Altrichter, and an even strength goal from John Mustard to create a 4-1 lead for the Black Hawks.
 
However, the Lancers were not done yet as Ryan Kusler got a pass from Samo Meritahti and cleared it down the ice. Nick Pierre was there to bury a breakaway goal by the left skate of Waterloo netminder, Calvin Vachon. Making it a 4-2 'Hawks lead heading into the final period.
 
The Lancers made things interesting in the third, being the only team to score as Ryan Kusler redirected a shot from Meritahti from 60 feet to go bar-down on Vachon. Making it a 4-3 game, which ended up being the final score. Handing Waterloo the victory.

With Kusler's third period goal, that hands him a goal, assist and a fight in tonight's game (10/14), giving him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick on the night.
 
The Lancers will be back in action on home ice on October 20^th, for another matchup with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Puck drop is set for 7:05PM CST. That game can be caught on FloSports and Mixlr.