The Lincoln Stars outscored the Waterloo Black Hawks, 3-1, over the final two periods but fell, 6-3, on Friday night at Young Arena.
Waterloo (22-12) scored five times in the first period to move three points ahead of third-place Lincoln (20-12-1) in the Western Conference standings.
The Black Hawks cashed in on their first power play of the night early in the first before scoring four more times in a 4:22 span. It marked their second five-goal period against the Stars, the only two times that Lincoln has allowed more than four in a period in 33 games.
Michael Mesic and Doug Grimes scored in the second period to cut the deficit to three goals after 40 minutes. Wyatt Olson found Mesic in front of the net alone and Mesic tried to pass the puck to his left to Jared Mangan but it caught Waterloo goaltender Jack Spicer and snuck into the net for Mesic's fifth goal of the season. Grimes deflected a shot from Henry Nelson with a second left on the Stars fourth power play of the night for his 10th goal of the season.
Daniel Sambuco redirected an Antonio Fernandez pass from the far wall in the third for the final goal of the night and his second against his former team.
The Stars continue their road swing at Des Moines for a 6 p.m. game on Saturday. Lincoln's next home games are Feb. 3-4 vs. Sioux Falls and Sioux City, respectively. Purchase tickets for both games and you'll receive a half-price value of $16 here.
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