USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on February 2, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Reminiscent of Another Era

The players on the ice in Des Moines and Waterloo this weekend were not born when the Black Hawks first faced the Des Moines Buccaneers and the original iteration of the Madison Capitols, nor even the last time they were both on Waterloo's schedule in the same weekend. That has not happened since December 3 and 4, 1993, due to Madison's long absence from the United States Hockey League prior to returning last season. In those games at McElroy Auditorium, a 5-1 victory over the Bucs - including a goal by Jason Blake - boosted the Hawks to first place in the USHL. A 7-0 shutout of the Capitols the following night included a hat trick by the future NHL All-Star. Waterloo visits Buccaneer Arena this Friday and hosts the Caps at home Saturday.

One More

With a goal or assist this weekend, Liam Pecararo would become the 25th junior-era Black Hawks player to record 100 regular season points. Pecararo's former teammates Vince Hinostroza and Taylor Cammarata were the last Waterloo skaters to cross that threshold during the 2012/13 season. Currently in his third season with the Hawks, two goals and three assists last weekend raised Pecararo's totals to 37 and 62 respectively.

Three-in-Three, Part and Future

The Black Hawks won three games in three days last weekend. It is a scheduling scenario which Waterloo will see repeatedly during the remaining season. The Hawks play three-in-three twice more this month, then once in March. The three recent wins versus Sioux Falls and Sioux City were an absolute reversal of three losses to the same clubs on the road between October 16th and 18th.

A Recent Trend

On Saturday, Cale Morris picked up his 50th USHL win. One night later, he recorded his 30th as a Waterloo Black Hawk. Prior to 2006, Jeff Melnechuk was the only goalie with 30 regular season victories for the Hawks as a junior player. In addition to Morris, the fraternity has also expanded to include Joe Grossman, Matt DiGirolamo, Joe Howe, C.J. Motte, Eamon McAdam, and Cal Petersen in the last ten years.

Weekly Recap

Three different Black Hawks forwards each had a two-goal game, sending Waterloo to three victories within 48 hours. David Cotton registered a pair of goals in a 5-2 decision against the Sioux Falls Stampede Friday. In a rematch the following night, Nick Swaney provided the double dip as Waterloo prevailed 4-1. Then in Sioux City against the Musketeers Sunday afternoon, Shane Bowers served up his first two-goal performance as a USHL skater. All three added one more goal at some point during the weekend. Drew Hotte made 24 saves for Friday's win, while Cale Morris backstopped the Saturday and Sunday tilts.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2016


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