Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson hates excuses, but facts are facts.

Five RoughRiders who have played in 60 games this season did not dress for Cedar Rapids Friday night in its USHL game against the Waterloo Black Hawks, including four forwards and several of their top scorers.

Their absence undoubtedly contributed to the RoughRiders absorbing their first shutout of the year, 3-0, before 2,648 fans who were hoping for a better result.

"We're missing those guys, but the other guys that were playing had a tremendous opportunity tonight to get out and prove some things," said Carlson. "Did we miss those guys? For sure. But the guys we were playing have to work hard and just didn't get the job done."

Forwards Corey Petrash, Andrew Oglevie, Dylan Gareau and Alex Funk did not play, leaving the RoughRiders with only 10 forwards. Defenseman Jerad Rosburg also did not appear.

Carlson declined to explain why they did not play. He also declined to discuss the severity of any injuries.

Waterloo trimmed the RoughRiders, 3-2, in Waterloo Thursday night, then drove down I-380 and beat the Riders again.

"We have to credit them," said Carlson. "We certainly missed a lot of guys that were out tonight. We had 10 forwards dressed. You still have to find a way to get it done, but at the same time you have to be realistic."

The Black Hawks (14-5-0) took charge early and rarely let up. "They did a real good job at the start, for sure," said Carlson.

Waterloo scored goals in each period by Austin Vieth, Tyler Sheehy (short handed) and Zach Sanford (power play).

Waterloo outshot Cedar Rapids, 32-21, and the RoughRiders (12-5-1) had relatively few good scoring opportunities.

"We missed our guys that didn't play, but we have to find a way," said Carlson. "We weren't good enough tonight. We have to be better. And that's all I have to say on that."

Cal Petersen collected the shutout for Waterloo. Danny Tirone stopped 28 shots for Cedar Rapids.

The RoughRiders play at Indiana Sunday at 5 p.m.

Waterloo       1   1   1 - 3
Cedar Rapids  0   0   0 - 0

W - Austin Vieth (John Witala, Blake Winiecki)
W - Tyler Sheehy (short handed) (unassisted)
W - Zach Sanford (power play) Drew Melanson, Tyler Sheehy)