Craig Smith scored at 17:24 of the second overtime to give the host Waterloo Black Hawks a 4-3 win over the RoughRiders Friday night in the opening game of the first round of the Clark Cup playoffs. The RoughRiders will need to win game two Saturday night to even the best-of-five series at one win apiece.

After the Black Hawks Jordan Samuels-Thomas missed the Rider net with a drive from the high slot, the puck caromed off the back glass to Smith who buried it from the doorstep to snap the deadlock.

The Riders fell despite rallying from a 3-0 deficit to force overtime. Ian Slater got Cedar Rapids on the scoreboard for the first time by sweeping the puck home from the right wing circle with just 51 seconds left in the second period. At 1:24 of the second period Mike Seidel’s breakaway goal cut the Black Hawk lead to 3-2. The Riders were on the power play when Robin Bergman tipped in the equalizer with 2:42 left in regulation.

The Riders were forced to come from behind after the Hawks converted their first three power plays of the night. Billy Maday buried a rebound to open the scoring at 13:22 of the first period. A mere 28 seconds into the second period Chad Billins’ one timer doubled the Waterloo lead. Nick Larson converted a Maday centering pass to make it 3-0 at 7:51 of the second.