Story by Tri-City Communications
The Tri-City Storm came from behind and scored a shorthanded goal with less than five minutes to play Saturday night at the Viaero Center to shock the Waterloo Black Hawks with a 4-3 victory. Ryan Smith netted two goals, including the game-winning goal to help seal the victory for Tri-City. A.J. Lacroix and Jake Rozzi also scored goals during the contest. Ivan Zhigalov shined in net to record the first victory of his USHL career in goal for the Storm. Tri-City will return to action next weekend at the Viaero Center for back-to-back games against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Friday’s contest against the Lumberjacks will begin at 7:05pm CT, and puck drop for Saturday’s showdown is scheduled for 6:05pm CT.
Ryan Smith netted his fifth goal of the season at 12:46 of Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 advantage in the matchup. Nolan Roed and Vladislav Lukashevich each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City was outshot 11-5 during the 1st period, but carried a one goal advantage into Saturday’s middle period.
Jake Delaney scored his third goal of the season at 15:35 of the 2nd period to bring the game to a 1-1 score. Teddy Townsend recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Griffin Erdman gave the Black Hawks a 2-1 lead in the game less than a minute later with his fourth goal of the season. The goal was scored at 16:03 of the 2nd period, and was assisted by Connor Brown. The Black Hawks outshot the Storm 13-12 during the middle period, and Saturday’s 3rd period began with Waterloo leading by a 2-1 score. Tri-City was 1-6-0-0 on the season when trailing after the 2nd period entering Saturday night’s game.
A.J. Lacroix scored his second goal of the year at 4:42 of Saturday’s 3rd period to bring the game to a 2-2 tie. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each posted an assist on the scoring play. Jake Delaney netted a powerplay goal at 9:40 of the period to give the Black Hawks another one goal lead in the battle. Griffin Erdman and John Mustard each notched an assist on the scoring play. Jake Rozzi tipped in a shot from Trevor Connelly to record the game-tying goal on the powerplay with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. Connelly recorded an assist on the play. The final goal of Saturday’s game was the second goal of the matchup, and sixth goal of the season for Ryan Smith. Smith’s goal was netted shorthanded at 15:19 of the 3rd period. The Black Hawks attempted to tie the game in the final minutes with an extra attacker, but the Storm withstood the ferocious charge to secure the victory. Tri-City was outshot 9-8 in the 3rd period, and 33-25 overall in the battle. The Storm improved to 9-6-1-0 on the year in the win.
Ivan Zhigalov backstopped Tri-City to victory after making 30 saves on 33 shots. The victory in goal for Zhigalov was his first of the 2023-2024 regular season. Jack Spicer dropped the game in net for the Black Hawks after turning away 21 of the Storm’s 25 shots on net.
Tri-City improved to 7-2-0-0 against Western Conference competition this season in the 4-3 victory. The Storm has now compiled a three-game point streak after back-to-back home wins over the Black Hawks. Tri-City completed Saturday’s game 1/6 on the powerplay, and 5/6 on the penalty kill. Ryan Smith was named the 1st Star of the Game, with teammate Carmelo Crandell collecting 2nd Star honors. Waterloo’s Jake Delaney was selected as the 3rd Star of the Game.
The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, November 17th, in a home game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.