KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm (16-10-5) completed a weekend sweep of the Waterloo Black Hakws (9-19-3) on Saturday night with a 3-2 win in front of 3,021 fans at the Viaero Event Center.

Wade Allison scored the game-winning goal for Tri-City in the third period, while Chase Berger and Jake Wahlin added tallies in the first period. Storm goaltender Jared Rutledge made 33 saves in the game to earn his third win in a Tri-City sweater.

Allison now has three goals on the season in 14 games. All three have come at home in Kearney, and all have turned out to be game-winners.

For the second consecutive night, the Black Hawks scored on the first shot of the game, as forward Henrik Rommel got his fourth goal of the year from Tyler Sheehy.

The Storm got even at 1-1 when Berger found the back of the net for the fifth time this season. Berger’s goal came on a rebound in front and was assisted by forward Matthew Freytag and defenseman Tory Dello.

Tri-City then took the lead on a goal by Wahlin at 11:32 of the opening period. Wahlin also scored on a rebound, with assists given to Nolan Aibel and Conner Valesano.

The score stayed 2-1 through the second period, as neither team was able to strike in the middle frame, while Tri-City outshot Waterloo 16-11.

In the third, Allison gave Tri-City an insurance goal at 4:54 which turned out to be the game-winner. The Myrtle, Man. native ripped off a wrist shot that beat Waterloo goaltender Trevor Gorsuch to make it 3-1. Freytag and Nick Master picked up assists on the tally.

Waterloo made it a one-goal game on a late tally by center Tom Novak at 14:32 of the third, but their comeback fell short.

The Black Hawks outshot Tri-City 35-30 in the contest.

The Storm are now in a tie for third place in the Western Conference with Des Moines.

Tri-City heads to Bloomington next weekend for their first ever games with the Thunder on Saturday and Sunday Jan. 17-18. Saturday’s game starts at7:05 p.m., while Sunday’s game begins at 3:00.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Garrett Gamez and Kyle Eastman along with defenseman Cameron Spicer…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Waterloo – Henrik Rommel (power play) (Tyler Sheehy) 1:11
Tri-City – Chase Berger (power play) (Matthew Freytag, Tory Dello) 5:30
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin (Conner Valesano, Nolan Aibel) 11:32

2nd Period

(no scoring)

3rd Period
Tri-City – Wade Allison (Matthew Freytag, Nick Master) 4:54
Waterloo – Tom Novak (Hayden Shaw) 14:32

PENALTIES

1st Period
Tri-City – Cody Milan – (Hooking), 2 min, 0:26
Waterloo – Tyler Sheehy – (Holding), 2 min, 3:45
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Head Contact), 2 min, 8:24
Waterloo – Sam Rossini – (Interference), 2 min, 12:26
Tri-City – Cody Milan – (Holding), 2 min, 12:26

2nd Period

Tri-City – Dan Labosky – (High Sticking), 2 min, 5:14
Waterloo – Ethan Spaxman – (Holding), 2 min, 6:37
Waterloo – Alex Robert – (Interference), 2 min, 12:06

3rd Period
Waterloo – Rem Pitlick – (Tripping), 2 min, 11:10

Power Play

Waterloo – 1/3

Tri-City – 1/4

Shots

Waterloo: 13, 11, 11 = Total: 35
Tri-City: 8, 16, 6 = Total: 30

Saves
Waterloo – Trevor Gorsuch – 27/30
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 33/35