USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Mustard Phenomenal in Key Win

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


John Mustard scored four times, and the Waterloo Black Hawks jumped to third place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference by defeating the Sioux City Musketeers 6-2 Saturday at Young Arena.

Mustard became just the third USHL player to have a four-goal performance this season. Connor Brown was the last Hawks player to achieve the feat when he scored four times during a playoff game against the Lincoln Stars April 27, 2022.

Waterloo's win, plus a Sioux Falls Stampede loss, moved the Hawks one point ahead of the Stampede. Meanwhile, second place Sioux City is five points ahead of Waterloo.

The Hawks notched Saturday's opening goal before the first whistle was blown. Gavin Lindberg snatched a loose puck behind the Sioux City net, feeding Gavyn Thoreson in the slot. Thoreson's extra pass left Mustard with an open side beside the crease. The resulting goal at 1:09 would prove to be the only scoring in the first period.

Waterloo turned away a Sioux City power play in the opening minutes of the second, then scored on their next advantage at 6:06. Tyler Miller cashed in, whistling a low shot past Urban's glove. The Hawks followed up with another goal one minute and 26 seconds later. Sustaining pressure in the Sioux City zone, Miller rifled a shot toward the net from the left hash mark. Urban stopped the shot, but Mustard fired the rebound home to make it 3-0.

The Musketeers earned their first goal of the night during a power play at 13:07. Brian Nicholas connected with Max Strand, who let go of a quick shot from between the hash marks.

Mustard completed the hat trick - and Waterloo reestablished a three-goal lead - with 46.1 seconds left in the period. During a two-man advantage, Fin Williams won a faceoff and the puck came to Mustard via Nick Fascia. Mustard scored from nearly the same position as Miller's goal earlier in the period.

Teddy Townsend added to the lead 9:58 into the third period. Knocking down a puck in the defensive zone, Townsend came up ice, dodged a defender at the Musketeer blue line, and snapped a shot over Urban's left shoulder from the high slot.

Kaden Shahan scored a Sioux City power play goal just over two minutes later, squeezing in a sharp-angled chance. The Musketeers could not close the gap any further, eventually lifting Urban for a sixth attacker. Moments later, Thoreson intercepted the puck and set up a Mustard empty-netter at 17:10.

Thoreson finished the night with four assists.

Waterloo and Sioux City meet again Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Seats for that rescheduled game are available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.

Sioux City 0 1 1 - 2

Waterloo 1 3 2 - 6

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Mustard 18 (Thoreson, Lindberg), 1:09. Penalties-Shahan Sc (tripping), 4:15; Keefe Sc (cross checking), 11:25; Morich Wat (roughing), 11:25; Court Sc (cross checking), 12:31; Phelan Wat (slashing), 19:48.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Miller 7 (Felicio, Thoreson), 6:06 (PP). 3, Waterloo, Mustard 19 (Miller, Thoreson), 8:32. 4, Sioux City, Strand 11 (Nicholas, Gardula), 13:07 (PP). 5, Waterloo, Mustard 20 (Fascia, Williams), 19:14 (PP). Penalties-Kessler Sc (tripping), 4:15; Kosiba Wat (hooking), 11:40; Battaini Wat (tripping), 15:03; Jacobs Sc (kneeing), 17:56; Van Houttee-Cachero Sc (cross checking), 17:56.

3rd Period-6, Waterloo, Townsend 9 9:58. 7, Sioux City, Shahan 27 (Nicholas, Gardula), 12:13 (PP). 8, Waterloo, Mustard 21 (Thoreson), 17:10 (EN). Penalties-Phelan Wat (high sticking), 10:55; Keefe Sc (slashing), 19:43.

Shots on Goal-Sioux City 11-6-10-27. Waterloo 11-9-13-33.

Power Play Opportunities-Sioux City 2 / 4; Waterloo 2 / 6.

Goalies-Sioux City, Urban 11-8-2-0 (32 shots-27 saves). Waterloo, Spicer 8-6-0-1 (27 shots-25 saves).

A-2,728

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024


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