Monday's box score

2025 Clark Cup Playoffs

Western Conference First Round

Best-of-Three (Waterloo leads 1-0)

WATERLOO, Iowa – Brendan McMorrow's third period eventual game-winning goal with just over six minutes left broke a longstanding tie and handed the Waterloo Black Hawks a 2-1 victory over the Tri-City Storm on Monday night at Young Arena. 

With the contest knotted at one, Waterloo's Hunter Ramos was quick to charge up the left wing after a Storm dump in. As Tri-City attempted to complete a line change, Ramos dropped a pass to McMorrow at the top of the left circle in the Storm zone. The Denver commit fired a rapid snapshot past Storm goaltender Michal Pradel's glove side to give Waterloo its first and only lead of the night. 

The Black Hawks lead the USHL Western Conference first round best-of-three series 1-0. 

Waterloo advances to the Conference Semifinals with a game two victory on Tuesday. 

The Storm were first to strike and did so with just under three minutes left in the first. Landon Fandel, positioned in his own zone, sent a stretch pass up the left wing to the Waterloo line and Carmelo Crandell. The Arizona State commit bolted to the Black Hawk net and ripped a snapshot past Waterloo netminder Carter Casey's glove side. 

The Crandell goal came after Tri-City had an earlier first period scoring attempt negated following video review. Seconds prior to a Storm 2-on-1 tally, Cole Ward contacted Waterloo's Hunter Ramos in front of the Tri-City cage. A penalty was not initially called on the ice, but a double minor for high sticking was assessed when officials reviewed the play. The penalty call waved off the goal, which would have been scored by Cooper Simpson. 

Waterloo knotted it up in the second. As the Black Hawks worked in the offensive zone, Ryan Whiterabbit sent a feed to Bradley Walker at the left point. Walker strode toward the net, then rifled a snapshot that redirected past Pradel's glove side to make it 1-1. 

Down 2-1 with just under two minutes left in the third, Tri-City pulled Pradel for an extra attacker. The Storm generated a handful of credible offensive looks, but failed to capitalize. 

Both goaltenders made their first career playoff appearances. Pradel stopped 34 of 36 Waterloo shots. Casey snagged 23 of 24. Combined with regular season play, the Grand Rapids, Minnesota native has won his four first USHL starts. 

Up next: Waterloo looks to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals in tomorrow's second game of the series. Puckdrop is scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. The matchup will be broadcast on FloHockey and Storm Radio. 

• Game One: Monday, April 14 at Waterloo (Waterloo 2, Tri-City 1 – Final)

• Game Two: Tuesday, April 15 at Waterloo (6:35 pm CT)

• Game Three (if necessary): Wednesday, April 16 at Waterloo (6:35 pm CT)

Home playoff tickets: Tickets for potential second round Tri-City home playoff games will go on sale at 10:00 am CT on Friday, April 18. Second round playoff dates are to be determined. Playoff tickets will be available at stormhockey.com, by calling 308-338-8144, or stopping by the Viaero Center box office in-person.