Waterloo could not level the count while skating with a sixth attacker during the final two minutes. The Storm took the lead in the final special teams sequence of the game when Ryan Smith wrenched a puck free during a Hawks power play, scoring an unassisted shorthanded goal with 4:41 remaining. Jake Rozzi's tip on a rising shot by Trevor Connelly was ruled to have been legal following a lengthy review. Tri-City answered on a power play less than three minutes later. His power play blast from the left point made it through traffic and past Ivan Zhigalov. The visitors went back ahead on Jacob Delaney's second goal of the game at 9:40. LaCroix tied the game at 4:42, scoring from close range after the Storm forced a turnover deep in the Waterloo zone.
With the Hawks leading 2-1 going to the final period in Saturday's rematch, A.J.
