USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hinostroza Named USHL Offensive Player of the Week

Published on March 20, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa-With just five weeks remaining before the end of the United States Hockey League season, Waterloo Black Hawks forward Vince Hinostroza played a leading role in two victories and earned the league's CCM Offensive Player of the Week Award as announced Tuesday.

Hinostroza got the weekend started 2:14 into Friday's contest against the Youngstown Phantoms, scoring to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Waterloo went on to a 6-5 overtime victory. If the Bartlett, Illinois native's early score was lost in the excitement of an overtime decision, his contribution Saturday against the Dubuque Fighting Saints could not be overlooked. With the Hawks trailing 2-1 in the second period, Hinostroza scored to tie the game, then assisted on a go-ahead goal by Eddie Wittchow. In the third period, he added a natural hat trick to push Waterloo to an 8-3 decision. It was the third hat trick by a Black Hawk in 2011-2012 and just the second four-goal game in the league during this season.

With six points, the Notre Dame recruit now has 14 goals and 21 assists for the year. He ranks third in team scoring. Friday and Saturday, Hinostroza was paired with two other veterans, wingers Jamie Hill and Tyler Zepeda.

"All three of those guys had high expectations for this season, and at least in the short term, something clicked," said Black Hawks head coach P.K. O'Handley. Hill finished the weekend with a goal and three assists, while Zepeda contributed five assists over two games. Hinostroza and Hill were also each +5.

This is the second straight week a Black Hawk has earned at least a share of the CCM Offensive Player of the Week Award. Mark Naclerio was recognized as a co-winner following strong performances on March 9th and 10th. Scott MacDonald and Taylor Cammarata are also previous Offensive Players of the Week, while Mitch Witek claimed the defensive version of the title in November. All totaled, Waterloo players have won six USHL weekly awards.

Three of ten remaining regular season games are on the schedule this weekend. The Black Hawks open with a home tilt against the Sioux Falls Stampede Friday at 7:05. Tickets still remain for the game, and are available online from waterlooblackhawks.com or through the Black Hawks Box Office. Saturday, the team travels to Cedar Rapids to meet the RoughRiders before capping the run of three games in three days Sunday versus the Chicago Steel.

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