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A quick two-goal burst out of the gates and a last stand in the third period the Lincoln Stars responded in a big way. Lincoln took a 4-3 victory over the Waterloo Black Hawks Saturday at the Ice Box and evened the USHL Western Conference Finals 1-1 as the series shifts to Waterloo for games three and four of the best-of-five series. The Stars scored twice in the game's first three and a half minutes to take a 2-0 lead behind goals from Matthew Maltais and Lefty Markonidis.
“We had great pace of the game early and we were able to capitalize on some opportunities,” Lincoln coach Rocky Russo said. “Big first goal there by Malts. Got a great pass by Looms (Layne Loomer) and then Lefty with a big shot there.
” Ethan Weber added a third Lincoln goal midway through the opening frame as the Stars bounced to the tune of a three-goal lead. People are also reading..
. “We were off and running there,” Russo added. It was the second consecutive game Markonidis has scored in.
“I thought we had another good start today,” Markonidis said. “We've had good starts all year and something we thrive off of and it was another example of that. It got us going early.
” Alex Pelletier netted his third goal of the playoffs off a one-timer from Daniel Shlaine to give Lincoln a 4-0 lead, but the Black Hawks found an answer early to keep it within striking distance. Pelletier's third goal of the Clark Cup Playoffs proved to be the game-winning goal as the Black Hawks rallied for two goals in the game's final five minutes after pulling goalie Carter Casey from the net to create a 6-on-5 advantage. Lincoln killed off a solid two minutes of play as the Waterloo pressure amplified in the Lincoln defensive zone before Kaeden Hawkins found the back of the net to make it 4-2 Lincoln.
Brendan McMorrow added another with 21 seconds remaining, but the Stars defensive core had one final push. “It's huge,” Weber said. “Waterloo is known for scoring late goals.
Killing that two minutes was really good for us down the stretch.” It's playoff hockey and the Stars will likely find themselves in a similar situation down the stretch. “We killed two-plus minutes on the first one before they scored,” Russo, who was named a USHL coach of the year candidate, said.
“We had chances to get pucks out and we didn't. I'd rather you ice the puck then make the soft play to get it out.” Yan Shostak, named a USHL player and goaltender of the year candidate Friday, made 28 saves in a bounce-back performance after Friday's 6-4 loss.
Lincoln and Waterloo meet for game three of the series Wednesday at Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa at 6:30 p.m. Photos: Stars vs.
Waterloo in USHL Western Conference finals, April 26, 2025 Lincoln Star goalie Yan Shostak (33) , backed up by Caeden Herrington (2), defends the goal from Waterloo's Ty Mason (20) during the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Ty Mason (20) goes flying over Lincoln Star goalie Yan Shostak (33) while trying to score a goal during the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Martin Masa (14), Alex Pelletier (8), Daniel Shlaine (13), and Jacob Rombach (5), speak before the final three seconds of play in the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Star's Ethan Weber (6) lands a blow on Waterloo's Grady Deering (27) after the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Ty Mason (20) goes flying over Lincoln Star goalie Yan Shostak (33) while trying to score a goal during the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Daniel Shlaine (13) and Jacob Rombach (5), try to block Waterloo's Grady Deering (27) and Brendan McMorrow (22) from getting the puck near the Stars goal during the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Star head coach Rocky Russo walsk off the ice following the third period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star head coach Rocky Russo waves to fans as he exits the rink after the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Morgan Brady (73) and goalie Carter Casey (30) defend Lincoln Star's Martin Masa (14) as he attempts a shot on the goal during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Stars fans celebrate with players after Lincoln Star's Alex Pelletier (first left) scores a goal during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Gio Digiulian (17) looks to pass the puck during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Fans line up to high five the Lincoln Stars as they exit the rink after the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Star's Gio Digiulian (17) takes a shot on the goal during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Bradley Walker (21) chases after Lincoln Star's Dashel Oliver (24) during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Tanner Henricks (25) looks to pass the puck while pressured by Waterloo players during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Star's Daniel Shlaine (13) collides with Waterloo's Grady Deering (27) during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Hunter Ramos (25) defends Lincoln Star's Alex Pelletier (8) during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star goalie Yan Shostak (33) deflects a shot on the goal during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Waterloo's Reid Morich (16) pursues Lincoln Star's Jack Pechar (21) as he takes the puck up the rink during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Nick Bogas (13) defends Lincoln Star's Daniel Shlaine as he controls the puck during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Martin Masa (14) reacts after the Stars score during the second period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Lincoln Star's Tanner Henricks (25) and Waterloo's Hunter Ramos vie after the puck during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Lincoln Star's Tanner Henricks (25), Layne Loomer (10), Jack Pechar (21) Ethan Weber (6) and Matt Maltais (29), celebrate after a point against Waterloo during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Brendan McMorrow (22) boxes out Lincoln Star's Layne Loomer (10) as he tries to get to the puck during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Waterloo's Nick Bogas (13) takes a swing at Lincoln Star's Alex Pelletier (8) after a stoppage in play during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Waterloo's Kaeden Hawkins (72) controls the puck as Lincoln Star's Gio Digiulian (17) pursues him during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. A shot on the goal by Waterloo's Grady Deering (27) is deflected by Lincoln Star's Jacob Rombach (5) during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box.
Waterloo's Reid Daavettila (17) is boxed out by Lincoln Star's Caeden Herrington (2) during the first period in Game 2 of a USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ice Box. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..
