On the cusp: Ice start, finish strong in Game 3 win

The Indiana Ice put themselves one victory away from a Clark Cup championship Friday night with a textbook performance in a 4-1 victory over the Waterloo Black Hawks in Game 3 of the Clark Cup Final. The Ice now lead the best-of-5 series two games to one, with Game 4 set for the Pan Am rink with a puck drop of 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night.

Tyler Pham scored with 7:15 left in the first period, then fed Patrick Newell for what would become the game-winner six minutes later. Mitch Hults had a power play goal late in the second to briefly put the Ice up 3-0, and Scott Conway had the dagger into an empty net. Jason Pawloski was stellar in goal, making 28 saves -- including quite a few point-blank stops in the early part of the second period when Waterloo had a big push that resulted in two power plays. The only blemish was a snipe through traffic by Patrick Russell that deflected off the inside of the post with 15 seconds left in the second.

Clark Cup Games 3 & 4 preview

The Indiana Ice and Waterloo Black Hawks couldn't have been much closer in Games 1 & 2. Two contests that could have gone either way -- the Ice had early leads in both, and had a 2-0 lead in Game 1. Waterloo, briefly, had a third-period lead in Game 2. The Ice dropped the first game 4-2 that included two disallowed goals and was sealed with an empty-netter, and won the second 3-2 in 2OT.

The best-of-5 series heads back to Pan Am Pavilion for Games 3 and 4 this weekend, with both games dropping the puck at 7:05 p.m. With Pan Am's limited seating capacity, get there early. If necessary, Game 5 will be Tuesday night in Waterloo.

Gameday links: Ice vs. Waterloo

The Clark Cup Final's first game is upon us tonight, as the Ice take on the Waterloo Black Hawks. Game 2 will be 24 hours later, both in Young Arena in Waterloo.

Time: 8:05 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: FastHockey.com will have a video broadcast. Check IndianaTalks.com or WOOT FM for Jim Mirabello's radio broadcast.

Links:
Indy hockey blog series preview
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier preview
USHL preview
Official Ice release

Games 3 and 4 will be at Pan Am Pavilion at 7:05 p.m. May 16-17.

Clark Cup Final preview: Ice vs. Waterloo

As the USHL season went along, it became apparent the Indiana Ice and Waterloo Black Hawks were the class of the field. Both teams pulled away to division titles, and battled tooth and nail for the Anderson Cup before Waterloo edged out the Ice 93 points to 91 for the USHL's regular season title.

The formalities are past. Both teams dominated their conferences in the playoffs as they did during the regular season -- going 6-1 against their neighbors. Now, it's time for the USHL's two best teams to square off over five games for the championship.

Dubuque and Green Bay have had a stranglehold on the title for the last four years, so there will be a new champion. For the second time in their 10-year history, the Indiana Ice are in the Clark Cup Final. They'll be seeking their second championship in five years. Meanwhile, Waterloo will also be seeking its second title in history, having won in 2004.

The schedule is as follows -- as has been the norm, stacked with weekend games (all times EDT):
Friday, May 9: at Young Arena, Waterloo, 8:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 10: at Young Arena, Waterloo, 8:05 p.m.
Friday, May 16: at Pan Am Pavilion, Indianapolis, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 17: at Pan Am Pavilion, Indianapolis, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Tuesday, May 20: at Young Arena, Waterloo, 8:05 p.m. (if necessary)

Series preview follows after the jump.