Hawks Solid in Weekend Opener
USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hawks Solid in Weekend Opener

Published on October 16, 2026 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Charlie Menard made 22 saves Friday during the Waterloo Black Hawks' 5-0 win against the Des Moines Buccaneers at the Mid-American Energy Company RecPlex.

It was Waterloo's first shutout since Dane Callaway made 29 stops against the Madison Capitols on December 27, 2025. Menard boosted his Black Hawks record to 3-0-1 since being added in a trade from the Lincoln Stars days before the regular season began. The Hawks helped their netminder by limiting Des Moines to just four shots in the last 20 minutes.

Just 28 seconds into the opening period, the Hawks thought they had the lead when Sal Viviano followed up on an initial chance by Cody Sokol. The net was dislodged on a pileup in the crease, and a review overturned the call on the ice due to goaltender interference.

However, there was no review needed when Sokol scored the only goal of the period at 5:59. Firing a shot from the right circle, Jon Kavcic got a piece of the puck but couldn't turn away Waterloo's top point producer.

The Hawks added two more second period scores. The first came at the end of a power play when Trevor O'Donohue prevented Des Moines from clearing the defensive zone. O'Donohue's shot from the right point was redirected by Viviano at 7:20.

Then at 15:45, Noa Nsonsa Kitala forced a turnover on the left boards. He retrieved the puck and centered for Camden Langfeld, who shoveled home his chance from the top of the crease.

Waterloo left no doubt regarding the outcome by tacking on two scores in the last three minutes of regulation. Dylan Nolan capitalized at 17:08; the puck found him in the slot when James Russell's bid from the right point bounced off a defender.

Then with 35.5 seconds to go, O'Donohue came up left wing and beat Kavcic with a transition wrister from the circle.

Saturday's rematch at Young Arena is presented by Lincoln Savings Bank. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2026/27 magnetic schedule, courtesy of Tyson Fresh Meats. Good seats are currently available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.

Waterloo 1 2 2 - 5

Des Moines 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Sokol 3 (O'Donohue, Langfeld), 5:59. Penalties-Deanovich Wat (cross checking), 7:38.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Viviano 3 (O'Donohue), 7:20 (PP). 3, Waterloo, Langfeld 1 (Nsonsa Kitala), 15:45. Penalties-Wenkus Dsm (cross checking), 0:17; Zupfer Dsm (high sticking), 5:40; Russell Wat (hooking), 9:47; Viviano Wat (roughing), 17:11; Argentina Dsm (roughing), 17:11.

3rd Period-4, Waterloo, Nolan 6 (Russell, Geike), 17:08. 5, Waterloo, O'Donohue 1 (Malinek), 19:25. Penalties-Dessner Dsm (high sticking), 4:07; Jackman Wat (roughing), 7:48; Wenkus Dsm (roughing), 7:48; Wooten Dsm (roughing), 7:48.

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 10-11-13-34. Des Moines 7-11-4-22.

Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 1 / 4; Des Moines 0 / 2.

Goalies-Waterloo, Menard 3-0-1-0 (22 shots-22 saves). Des Moines, Kavcic 3-2-0-0 (34 shots-29 saves).

A-1,072

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2026


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