USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on February 20, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Wrapping Up February in the West

The Black Hawks' remaining games this month are all against opponents from the USHL Western Conference. On the road Friday (7:05 p.m.), Waterloo visits the Des Moines Buccaneers. The Hawks' only meeting with the Bucs was a 5-2 win on New Year's Eve at Young Arena. One night later, Waterloo returns to home ice for a Saturday (7:05 p.m.) meeting with the Lincoln Stars. The Hawks claimed wins versus the Stars on December 29th (4-3) and January 19th (6-2). Then on Tuesday, February 27th, the Sioux City Musketeers come to town (7:05 p.m.). Waterloo has not hosted the Musketeers yet in 2017/18, but won on the road at Tyson Events Center October 20th (4-1) and November 3rd (3-2, in overtime). The Hawks' previous five games had been against teams from the Eastern Conference; Waterloo was 3-2-0 during that stretch.

Points Pace

Black Hawks' leading scorer Jackson Cates has 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists). The count already leaves him just shy of last season's co-scoring leaders, Nick Swaney and Shane Bowers, who each had 51 in 2016/17. Over his last ten games, Cates has churned out ten goals and seven assists, putting him in position to surpass the 2016/17 high mark with a sizable portion of the schedule to go. Through the end of February last winter, Swaney had led the team with 46 points. A late-season injury limited him to just five regular season appearances during March and April.

Home/Road Balance

In October, the Black Hawks won their first four road games. Over the same span, Waterloo was defeated during their first three home matchups. Now, for the first time this season, the Hawks' home win total could equal or surpass the road victory count. Waterloo is currently 13-7-3 during away games. Even if they were to win Friday in Des Moines, there is still a chance the Hawks could boost their 12-6-1 home mark to the same number of wins by the end of the month.

Five Nations Facts

Matej Blumel represented Czech Republic during the recently completed Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Plymouth, Michigan. Blumel led the Czech team with four goals and three assists in four games. His seven points tied for third among all participants at the event.

Weekly Recap

The Youngstown Phantoms limited the Black Hawks to one late goal during a 2-1 decision on Friday. The next night, Ben Copeland and Jackson Cates each had a goal and an assist, but Waterloo fell, 5-2. During the rematch, Youngstown did not establish their first lead until 12:28 of the third period.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central