USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Preview

Published on March 14, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Extended Time in Fargo

The Black Hawks play three games against the United States Hockey League-leading Fargo Force at SCHEELS Arena. The Thursday and Friday contests each begin at 7:05 p.m., with Saturday's weekend finale starting at 6:05 p.m. Fargo currently leads Waterloo by 12 points for first place in the USHL Western Conference. This scheduling sequence is reminiscent of the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs when the Hawks met the Lincoln Stars for three road games in three days last April. Waterloo won two of those contests against Lincoln to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. However, three games in three days against the same opponent has been an exceedingly rare circumstance during regular season play. The last time the Hawks encountered this situation was in October of 1999, winning all three games during a three-night engagement with the Thunder Bay Flyers.

Other Three-Game Weekends

Although meeting the same opponent on three straight nights is unusual, the Hawks have recently risen to the occasion when playing various opponents over three consecutive dates. During the weekend of January 6th, Waterloo topped the Sioux City Musketeers twice, then finished on a high note against the Tri-City Storm. Almost a month later, the Hawks started and ended with wins against the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Fargo Force, while falling during the middle game against Fargo. After the coming week, Waterloo has one last sequence of three games in three days March 31st (Lincoln), April 1st (Lincoln), and April 2nd (Sioux City).

Offense Off the Pace

During a portion of January, the Black Hawks' season scoring average climbed above four goals per game. The mark has since slipped to 3.8, which ranks fourth in the league. Waterloo has been held to three goals or fewer during seven of their last 11 games. In three of the other four contests, the Hawks' fourth goal came in overtime. The Force are the league's stingiest team, allowing just 2.4 goals per game.

Added Offense

The end of Minnesota's high school hockey season could eventually mean Gavyn Thoreson's return to the Black Hawks lineup. Playing in nine games from the start of the season through the end of October, Thoreson produced five goals and four assists. His offense included the winning goal in two of the Hawks' first five victories. Skating for Andover High School, Thoreson had 97 points (41 goals, 56 assists) in 31 games as the Huskies earned third place in Class AA.

Recent Games

With a goal in each period, the Black Hawks edged the Sioux Falls Stampede 3-2 on the road last Friday. The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders then turned aside all 35 Waterloo shots in a 1-0 Saturday decision at Young Arena.

For complete box scores from previous Black Hawks games, visit ushl.com.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2023


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