USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hawks Return the Favor

Published on February 2, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks scored in the opening minutes and led by as many as five goals during a 7-3 Thursday night win at Dubuque Ice Arena against the Fighting Saints.

The result ended a steak of seven consecutive games in which Dubuque had earned at least one standings point. Less than two weeks earlier, a loss on the same ice had halted a seven-game Waterloo winning streak.

The Black Hawks took the lead on their first shot Thursday. David Klee carried the puck into the offensive zone three-on-two and moved it to Ben Robertson. The playmaking defenseman set up the third Hawk on the rush, and Zach Bade fired his shot past Marcus Brannman's stick at 3:53. It was the first of four points in the game for Robertson

Bade struck again at 15:02. He was positioned near the bottom of the right circle and flipped in a rebound after Robertson's attempt from the high slot clanked off the post.

The Black Hawks build the lead to 4-0 in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the second period. At 1:49, Griffin Erdman extended his point streak to eight consecutive games by springing Owen Baker for a score. Thirty-five seconds later, Miko Matikka settled a puck between the circles, and Gavin O'Connell swept it past Brannman.

After a Dubuque timeout, the Saint tallied the next goal at 4:38 when Ryan St. Louis put a transition wrister under the crossbar from the right circle.

However, two successful power plays before the second intermission extended the Hawks' lead to its widest. At 7:57, Robertson fed Garrett Schifsky at the blue line, leaving the veteran sniper with a clear path to the net. Schifsky scored low to the glove side.

Robertson scored himself when Waterloo was on the advantage at 15:17, going around a defender, then up the slot before lifting a backhander to the short side top corner.

Dubuque converted a power play 30 seconds into the final period; Michael Burchill was behind the net and fed Brayden Morrison for an open side score. The Saints got another goal in similar fashion as the teams skated four-on-four at 11:58. In that instance, it was Max Burkholder with the pass and Jayden Jubenvill with the finish.

However, Waterloo stemmed any thoughts of a rally with a third power play conversion just over a minute later. O'Connell came out of the left corner, stepping to the side of the net and then the top of the crease to deliver his second of the game.

J.J. Cataldo was credited with 21 saves, plus an assist on Robertson's goal, to win his USHL debut.

The Hawks continue their busy weekend with Friday and Saturday home games against the Fargo Force. It's Waterloo's annual "Weekend with the Black Hawks, presented by John Deere." Tickets for all John Deere employees and their families are discounted. To order seats, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.

Waterloo 2 4 1 - 7

Dubuque 0 1 2 - 3

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Bade 7 (Robertson, Klee), 3:53. 2, Waterloo, Bade 8 (Robertson, Kerr), 15:02. Penalties-O'Donnell Dbq (tripping), 7:38; O'Connell Wat (bench minor-too many men), 8:39.

2nd Period-3, Waterloo, Baker 7 (Erdman), 1:49. 4, Waterloo, O'Connell 9 (Matikka, Schifsky), 2:24. 5, Dubuque, St. Louis 15 (Burchill), 4:38. 6, Waterloo, Schifsky 14 (Robertson), 7:57 (PP). 7, Waterloo, Robertson 2 (Cataldo), 15:17 (PP). Penalties-Sondreal Dbq (high sticking), 6:24; Pionk Wat (hooking), 10:34; Montes Dbq (hooking), 14:41; Erdman Wat (holding), 19:21.

3rd Period-8, Dubuque, Morrison 4 (Montes, Burchill), 0:30 (PP). 9, Dubuque, Jubenvill 3 (Burkholder), 11:58. 10, Waterloo, O'Connell 10 13:32 (PP). Penalties-Lindberg Wat (hooking), 10:31; Burchill Dbq (slashing), 11:33; Chaly Wat (roughing), 17:41; Powell Dbq (roughing), 17:41.

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 8-15-5-28. Dubuque 6-11-7-24.

Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 3 / 4; Dubuque 1 / 4.

Goalies-Waterloo, Cataldo 1-0-0-0 (24 shots-21 saves). Dubuque, Brännman 11-5-2-1 (22 shots-17 saves); Geisel 6-8-1-0 (5 shots-4 saves).

A-1,867

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2023


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