Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

The Black Hawks play just one game this weekend, hosting the Youngstown Phantoms on Friday at Young Arena. In 2011/12, the clubs met only twice, with the home team winning each game. Combined, Waterloo and Youngstown scored 18 goals in their meetings last year. Friday's matchup is the only USHL game pitting a pair of 2-0-0 teams against each other. The Phantoms opened league play at home last weekend with victories versus the Omaha Lancers and Des Moines Buccaneers.

Schmidt's Smashing Start

Forward Kyle Schmidt made the most of a big opportunity in the Black Hawks' home opener Saturday. After being scratched from the lineup the night before, Schmidt was inserted among Waterloo's starters, on a line with veterans Vince Hinostroza and Ryan Papa. He recorded a pair of goals and three assists during Waterloo's 8-4 victory against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Appearing as an affiliate last November, Schmidt was held without a point in two games, but currently he is tied with Hinostroza as the Hawks' scoring leader. In 2011/12, only three Hawks enjoyed a five-point performance: Hinostroza, Taylor Cammarata, and Mark Naclerio.

Twelve Goals, Two Games

The Waterloo Black Hawks goal total last weekend represents the biggest offensive outburst to begin a season in over 25 years. The last time the Hawks scored a dozen or more times during their first two games was in 1985/86, when the team defeated the St. Paul Vulcans 8-7 before falling to the Thunder Bay Flyers 7-6, both in overtime. The most Waterloo had previously scored in their first two contests of a new campaign during P.K. O'Handley's tenure was eight goals in 2009/2010.

Big Presence in Buffalo

Taylor Cammarata assisted on a goal and was +2 during USA Hockey's All-American Prospects game in Buffalo, New York, on Saturday. Ian McCoshen, pitted against Cammarata, was the only defenseman for his side to record an even plus-minus rating in the exhibition of 40 leading NHL Draft prospects. Waterloo goaltenders Cal Petersen and Eamon McAdam opposed each other, with Petersen claiming the win.

Opening Weekend Recap

Trailing in the second period Friday while visiting the Green Bay Gamblers and Saturday at home versus the Sioux Falls Stampede, the Black Hawks rallied to win both games. Waterloo delivered six total goals in the combined third periods, topping Green Bay 4-3 and Sioux Falls 8-4. Taylor Cammarata spurred Friday's comeback with a goal and an assist, while four Hawks had multiple points Saturday, including Kyle Schmidt with five and Vince Hinostroza with four.

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2012

• Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 2 - Youngstown Phantoms
• Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Ice Home Friday at Pan Am Plaza - Indiana Ice

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