Finkelstein Flies to the Finish

April 16, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Waterloo, Iowa - Although it was a condensed season, Ben Finkelstein was one of the United States Hockey League's star defensemen in 2017/18, a fact confirmed on Monday when he was named USHL Defenseman of the Week.

The 20-year-old Waterloo Black Hawk claimed the honor for the fifth time since joining the Hawks in January. The league's final Defenseman of the Week award was conferred upon Finkelstein after he helped Waterloo claim the Anderson Cup as the league's regular season champion.

The Hawks needed two wins to earn the title; Finkelstein scored in each game and accumulated five total points during the victories against the Madison Capitols and Des Moines Buccaneers.

Just 3:10 into Friday's game, Finkelstein opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season, and the Hawks led the rest of the way during a 5-1 result. He added two second period assists for his fifth game with three points or more.

Saturday during the third period, Finkelstein scored again, then set up another goal amidst a four-goal outburst in the final 20 minutes. In that time, the Hawks stretched a 2-0 lead to a 6-0 final. All of Finkelstein's scoring came at even strength, helping to push his plus/minus margin for the weekend to +7.

Although the South Brulington, Vermont, native appeared in only 23 games this season, he recorded 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists), tying for seventh among all USHL defenseman in 2017/18. Finkelstein ranked sixth in scoring among all Black Hawks players regardless of position.

Finkelstein and the Hawks will try to continue their strong play as the Clark Cup Playoffs begin at Young Arena this weekend. Waterloo will host games, but the dates and opponents are yet to be determined. Visit waterlooblackhawks.com or follow the team on social media for details as soon as they become available.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2018

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• Jacks Hold off Steel to Take Game One 3-2 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Drury and Copeland Ascendant - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stars Weekly - Lincoln Stars
• Fargo Force Regular Season Wrap Up - Fargo Force
• Finkelstein Flies to the Finish - Waterloo Black Hawks
• USHL Leads the World on NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - USHL
• USHL Names Players of the Week for Week 28 - USHL
• Madden, Jensen Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings - Tri-City Storm
• Rafkin Named Top Defenseman at Four Nations Tournament - Tri-City Storm
• Stars Announce Western Conference First Round Series Dates - Lincoln Stars
• Bucs Announce Reorganization - Des Moines Buccaneers

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