USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

One Game, One Win

Published on December 10, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


The Waterloo Black Hawks were economical with their early scoring chances and pulled away to a 5-1 win during their only game of the weekend Friday night at Young Arena against the Des Moines Buccaneers.

The Hawks cashed in on two of their five shots on goal in the first period. At 11:18, Tyler Procious triggered a shot from above the right circle; Michael LaStarza was in the path of the puck and tipped it on its way past for the game's first goal. Not quite four minutes later, Waterloo was enjoying sustained pressure in the offensive zone. LaStarza handed a pass to Adam Cardona, who wristed a chance by a screened Lucas Szyszka.

Waterloo's shooting percentage was almost as good in the second. Jake Schneider and Cooper Wylie scored on two of the Hawks' six shots. Schneider's goal came at 8:04 with a breakaway from the Waterloo side of the center line before he fired a shot to Szyszka's glove side.

Then at 18:19, Wylie moved from the left circle to the side of the net, stickhandling Szyszka to the ice and banking a shot into the net off of him.

The 4-0 lead didn't quite last to intermission; the Bucs broke up Emmett Croteau's shutout bid with 8.8 seconds left in the period. Operating behind the net, Paul Davey set up Nick O'Hanisain in the high slot for the Des Moines tally.

Paradoxically, the third period included more Black Hawks shots but less scoring. The only goal on 16 Waterloo chances came with 1:06 remaining. After not creating an immediate opportunity in transition, Connor Brown kept the rush alive in the right circle, wiring a pass to the top of the crease. Garrett Schifsky was waiting there to tap the puck into an open side.

Croteau made 37 saves, the highest total during any of his five wins so far this year.

The Black Hawks' final two games before Christmas are on the road next week in Fargo Thursday and Friday.

Des Moines 0 1 0 - 1

Waterloo 2 2 1 - 5

1st Period-1, Waterloo, LaStarza 6 (Procious, Waldron), 11:18. 2, Waterloo, Cardona 2 (LaStarza), 15:05. Penalties-O'Hanisain Dm (slashing), 2:14; Schneider Wat (slashing), 8:49.

2nd Period-3, Waterloo, Schneider 1 8:04. 4, Waterloo, Wylie 3 (Waldron, Reiners), 18:19. 5, Des Moines, O'Hanisain 1 (Davey, Driscoll), 19:51. Penalties-McCormick Wat (tripping), 3:14; Fredericks Dm (hooking), 11:31; Bevilacqua Dm (holding), 13:51.

3rd Period-6, Waterloo, Schifsky 9 (Brown, Ness), 18:54. Penalties-Wolfe Dm (elbowing), 0:05; Cardona Wat (holding), 6:51; Scholle Dm (roughing), 8:15; Wylie Wat (tripping), 19:54.

Shots on Goal-Des Moines 9-17-12-38. Waterloo 5-6-16-27.

Power Play Opportunities-Des Moines 0 / 4; Waterloo 0 / 5.

Goalies-Des Moines, Szyszka 2-7-1-1 (27 shots-22 saves). Waterloo, Croteau 5-3-1-0 (38 shots-37 saves).

A-1,771

Referees-Charlie Van Kula.

Linesmen-Matthew Bleck, Michael Ifkovits.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2021


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