USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on October 2, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Getting Familiar Quickly

The Black Hawks 2018/19 United States Hockey League schedule is only two games old, but this weekend, Waterloo will visit a pair of opponents with whom they are already familiar. The Hawks met the Des Moines Buccaneers on back-to-back nights during the exhibition schedule. Each team won on home ice in overtime. The two clubs get together at Buccaneer Arena Friday. Under new Head Coach Gene Reilly, the Bucs have zoomed out of the gates for a league-high 15 goals in two games. Saturday, Waterloo travels to Bloomington to meet the Central Illinois Flying Aces. Last weekend during the USHL Fall Classic, the Flying Aces edged the Hawks, 5-4 in overtime. Saturday's game concludes the season series; Central Illinois does not travel to Young Arena during the 2018/19 schedule.

Special Teams Summary

The Black Hawks are one of two USHL teams to have not allowed a power play goal this season (the Green Bay Gamblers are the other). Waterloo is also one of two teams which did not score a power play goal during the USHL Fall Classic (the Omaha Lancers are the other). The Hawks' four power play opportunities thus far in 2018/19 are the fewest of any league club.

Scoring Starters

Four Waterloo players scored their first career USHL goals last weekend. Connor Caponi and Xander Lamppa found the net in the Hawks' season opening 5-4 overtime loss to the Central Illinois Flying Aces Friday. Saturday, Griffin Ness and Ryan Drkulec each tallied goals in the third period. Eleven Black Hawks forwards or defensemen are still seeking their first career USHL scores. Emil Ohrvall's 13 career regular season Waterloo goals are the most for any player currently on the roster.

Strong First Impressions

With two points apiece, Ryan Drkulec and Vladislav Firstov are tied for fourth in USHL rookie scoring. The league defines a rookie as a player born after September 15, 2000 that has played less than 10 USHL games in any previous season. Last season, Waterloo's roster included few formal "rookies." Matej Blumel's 18 points ranked 31st in the league among players meeting the USHL's rookie parameters.

Weekly Recap

Trailing 4-1 going to the third period on Friday, the Hawks rallied with three goals in less than eight minutes to force overtime before falling to the Central Illinois Flying Aces, 5-4. Matej Blumel contributed the game-tying goal as well as an assist. Saturday, third period goals by Griffin Ness and Ryan Drkulec represented the winning margin during a 3-1 tilt with the Omaha Lancers.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2018


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