USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hilman Powers Hawks' Win

Published on February 3, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Myles Hilman gave the Waterloo Black Hawks the lead twice on Friday, including a late game-winning goal during a 4-3 victory over the Madison Capitols at Young Arena.

With just over a minute remaining, Fin Williams pushed an offensive zone faceoff in Hilman's direction. Waterloo's captain was positioned on the inside hashmark and got to the puck, spinning a quick shot toward the net. The attempt found its way to the wide-side post, and in, for the fourth decisive goal in Hilman's USHL career.

The 20-year-old has scored in five games since Christmas. However, he has finished with multiple goals on each of those five nights. Hilman recorded a hat trick on December 28th and has followed up with four other two-goal performances. Now with 14 tallies on the season, he is three shy of matching the 17 he scored last season.

Madison produced the lone goal of the opening period after the Hawks had a prolonged shift in the defensive zone. Waterloo briefly pushed the puck to center, but Andrew Kuzma hurried it back across the blue line and fired an attempt inside the post to the right of Calvin Vachon at 17:23.

Waterloo tied up the game during a delayed penalty situation 8:13 into the second. Myles Hilman put the puck into traffic near the top of the crease and Gavyn Thoreson turned it across the goal line.

Kuzma's second of the game at 10:56 gave the visitors a 2-1 lead; he was sprung into the zone with a 100-foot pass by Nathan Tobey. The Capitols' lead only lasted 28 seconds before Waterloo tied it back up with their own transition goal. All three Hawks forwards touched the puck in quick succession: Eero Butella to Chris Battaini to Reid Morich for the score from the right circle.

Hilman gave Waterloo a brief lead with his first goal of the game at 13:59. He was on the doorstep to bang in the rebound of John Mustard's shot. However, the game went to the second intermission tied after Brendan Lamb's answer at 16:38. Lamb was able to reach out and redirect a puck coming his direction from behind the Waterloo net.

The Hawks outshot the Capitols 15-6 in the third period, culminating in Hilman's winner. For the night Waterloo had a 35-26 shots advantage. Vachon earned his 13th win of the season with 23 saves.

Friday was the first of four consecutive Black Hawks home games. There will also be a game on home ice Saturday when Waterloo meets the Sioux City Musketeers at 6:05 p.m. It will be Star Wars Night, presented by BankIowa. For tickets, call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 296-7581 or visit tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

Madison 1 2 0 - 3

Waterloo 0 3 1 - 4

1st Period-1, Madison, Kuzma 14 (Ramsey), 17:23. Penalties-Erdman Wat (cross checking), 1:11; Lindberg Wat (slashing), 10:03; Kuzma Mad (interference), 11:06.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Thoreson 10 (Hilman, Erdman), 8:13. 3, Madison, Kuzma 15 (Tobey, Lamb), 10:56. 4, Waterloo, Morich 4 (Battaini, Butella), 11:24. 5, Waterloo, Hilman 13 (Mustard, Morich), 13:59. 6, Madison, Lamb 5 (Long), 16:38. Penalties-Ramsey Mad (roughing), 8:50; Thoreson Wat (roughing), 8:50.

3rd Period-7, Waterloo, Hilman 14 (Williams), 18:48. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Madison 12-8-6-26. Waterloo 8-12-15-35.

Power Play Opportunities-Madison 0 / 2; Waterloo 0 / 1.

Goalies-Madison, Berzins 8-7-2-0 (35 shots-31 saves). Waterloo, Vachon 15-6-0-0 (26 shots-23 saves).

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024


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