Weisgarber scored Waterloo’s third goal of the third period Saturday night and gave the Black Hawks their first lead of the game when he buried a James Marcou centering feed.
Thanks in large part to fine goaltending from Richard Bachman, who made 23 saves over the first two periods, the Riders took a 1-0 lead into the third period. Ian Slater scored the only goal of the first 40 minutes, firing the puck home from the left wing circle 12:18 of the first period.
The Black Hawks broke through just 39 seconds into the third period when Ryan Cramer evened the score at one with a wrist shot from the high slot.
The Riders retook the lead when Pat Cannone snapped the puck in under cross bar at 7:32 of the third.
The Black Hawks knotted it up again just seconds after the Riders killed off 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 Waterloo power plays. Vince Loverde made it 2-2 at the 11:13 mark with a drive from the left wing circle and set the stage for Weisgarber’s late game winner.
A RoughRider record crowd of 4,291 fans watched the Black Hawks halt the Riders’ bid for a third straight division title and a second Anderson Cup in three seasons. With the win the Hawks also claimed the i wireless Corridor Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Cedar Rapids-Waterloo regular season series.
Clark Cup Playoffs, First Round
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
Game One: Cedar Rapids @ Ohio, Tuesday, April 17, 6:05PM*
Game Two: Cedar Rapids @ Ohio, Wednesday, April 18, 6:05PM*
Game Three: Ohio @ Cedar Rapids, Friday, April 20, 7:05PM
Game Four: Ohio @ Cedar Rapids, Saturday, April 21, 7:05PM
Game Five: Ohio @ Cedar Rapids, Monday, April 23, 7:05PM (if necessary)
Game Six: Cedar Rapids @ Ohio, Wednesday, April 25, 6:05PM (if necessary)
Game Seven: Ohio @ Cedar Rapids, Saturday, April 28, 7:05PM (if necessary)
*- Ohio home games will be played at Dispatch Ice Haus