WATERLOO - A funk was snapped as the Waterloo Black Hawks rolled to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Steel on Tuesday at Young Arena.

The Black Hawks snapped a four-game non-winning streak as they evened their season series with the Steel at two games apiece.

Waterloo hadn't won since a 4-2 victory at Chicago on Nov. 24.

Additionally, the Black Hawks had been 1-3-3 since they had a seven-game win streak snapped in a 2-1 shootout loss Thanksgiving night to Cedar Rapids.

"It was a good effort," said Waterloo head coach P.K. O'Handley. "We're a little bit of a wounded animal right now, and the way we played was fairly urgent. We needed that win bad."

The Black Hawks got goals from Chad Billins, Brett Beebe and Brock Montpetit. Beebe was credited with the game-winner, and his goal was the most spectacular.

Following a Mike Marcou slap shot from the blue line, Beebe, sprawled out flat on the ice, poked home the rebound to give Waterloo a 2-0 lead with 10:18 left in the second period.

"This was the first game in a long time we played well from start to finish," said forward Keegan Meuer. "They came with a few flurries in the third period, but we were able to weather the storm and come out on top."

Waterloo took a 1-0 lead in the first when Scott Pavelski did an excellent job of screening Chicago goalie Nick Pisellini, allowing Billins' rocket from the point to ripple the net with 14:26 to go.

Beebe's score made it 2-0, and the Black Hawks went up three goals when Montpetit poked home a nice pass from Nick Larson just 1:06 into the third.

"I thought our guys went after it," said O'Handley. "There were some guys who really elevated their game. For example, I thought Keegan Meuer was everywhere. He played an excellent hockey game."

All three of Waterloo's goals came even strength - the Black Hawks were 0-for-8 on the power play, but that didn't disappoint O'Handley.

"The power play was a little deceiving," he said. "We talked a lot of momentum, and although we didn't score, I thought there were a lot of chances, and chances build momentum, and that momentum carried us through."

Chicago cut its deficit to two when Corey Chakeen scored on a mini-breakaway with 13:21 to go.

The Steel had several other scoring opportunities down the stretch but Black Hawks' goalie Joe Howe stood tall.

"That is a lesson to be learned with a young hockey club," said O'Handley, who believed his team might have relaxed a little with three-goal lead. "We were fortunate that Joe Howe was good, and when it counted, we played good."

Waterloo travels to Indianapolis on Friday for a two-game set with USHL East division leader, the Indiana Ice.

Those two games will be the Black Hawks' last until Dec. 28 when they will host Lincoln.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

Chicago 0 0 1 - 1

Waterloo 1 1 1 - 3

FIRST PERIOD - 1. Waterloo, Chad Billins (Keegan Meuer), 5:34. Penalties - Dominic Morrone, Chi (checking from behind), :52; Michael Fink, Wat (interference), 5:47;John Lee, Wat (cross checking), 7:10; Lee, Wat (checking from behind), 10:22; Craig Smith, Wat (roughing), 14:37; Brian Dowd, Chi (elbowing, slashing), 14:37.

SECOND PERIOD - 2. Waterloo, Brett Beebe (Mike Marcou, Scott Pavelski), 9:42. Penalties - Morrone, Chi (interference), :26; Will Weber, Chi (checking from behind, delay of game, 10-minute misconduct), 3:03; Nick Carson, Wat (checking from behind), 3:03; Brock Montpetit, Wat (delay of game), 3:03; Max Nicastro, Chi (tripping), 6:10; Dowd, Chi (misconduct, abuse of officals), 6:10; Barron Smith, Chi (cross checking), 7:28; Morrone, Chi (checking from behind), 14:36.

THIRD PERIOD - 3. Waterloo, Montpetit (Larson, Billy Maday), 1:04; 4. Chicago, Corey Chakeen (Ryan Schnell, Morrone), 6:39. Penalties - Kessel, Wat (hooking), 2:06; Beebe, Wat (hooking), 12:37; Andrew Miller, Chi (tripping), 18:21; Larson, Wat (holding), 18:39; Weber, Chi (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:39; Mike Walsh, Chi (slashing), 18:50.

SHOTS ON GOAL

Chicago 8 5 11 - 24

Waterloo 12 19 8 - 39

Goalies - Chicago, Nick Pisellini (36 saves). Waterloo, Joe Howe (23 saves).

Referee - Gene Binda. Linesmen - John Grandt, Johnathan Morrison. Att. - 1,854.