Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview
October 29, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
Four Lane All the Way
Earlier this month, U.S. Highway 20 was officially opened as a four-lane route across the entire state of Iowa. The Waterloo Black Hawks' week begins on one end of the route through Iowa and ends at the other extreme. Tuesday, the Hawks meet the Sioux City Musketeers for the second time this season. On October 20th, Waterloo edged Sioux City 4-2. The Musketeers scored the first goal on that night and have recorded the opening tally in eight of their ten games this season. Sioux City came out on top in five of the other seven games in which they scored first. Friday and Saturday, the Hawks play a home-and-home series against the Dubuque Fighting Saints, beginning in Waterloo. The two teams have the USHL's most effective third period offenses: the Saints have scored 20 goals in 11 games while the Hawks have 17 in 10.
Overtime Each Week
Through ten 2018/19 games, the Black Hawks have been to overtime on five occasions. Friday, Waterloo edged the Fargo Force, 4-3 in a shootout. Matej Blumel's converted shootout attempt was the first by a Black Hawk since Jackson Cates notched a shootout goal versus the Dubuque Fighting Saints on November 22, 2017. The Hawks' overtimes this year have been parsed out once each week. Waterloo has met five different opponents beyond regulation and leads the league in overtime games during 2018/19.
Goals to Get Started
Three different Black Hawks scored their first USHL goal last weekend. Friday, Austen Swankler redirected a Hank Sorensen shot for a power play goal. Saturday, he set up a pair of teammates in the first period for their first scores. Ethan Szmagaj and Wyatt Schingoethe cashed in on those opportunities. Ten members of this year's Black Hawks squad have now scored their first career goals in the first ten games of 2018/19.
Rookies on a Roll
Vladislav Firstov's 11 points tie for third in scoring among USHL rookies. This weekend, he will see the only two players who have been on the scoresheet more often so far. The Fighting Saints' Dylan and Ty Jackson lead the league with 13 and 12 points respectively. The Jackson twins lead their team in scoring. All but three of their 25 points have been scored at even strength.
Weekly Recap
The Hawks and Fargo Force split a pair of 4-3 results at Young Arena. Friday, Waterloo got a pair of goals from Matej Blumel, who then capitalized for the evening's only shootout tally. Saturday, the Force scored the decisive goal in the final two minutes. It was the first time in 2018/19 that the Hawks did not earn a standings point, but Waterloo's nine-game season-opening run was the longest in team history to begin a season.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2018
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Isaiah Saville Named USHL Goaltender of the Week - Tri-City Storm
- Luke Johnson Named USHL Defenseman of the Week - Sioux City Musketeers
- USHL Names Players of the Week for Week 5 - USHL
- Flying Aces Host Salute to Service Night November 10 - Central Illinois Flying Aces
- Gamblers Get a Point in Des Moines, Fall in Bloomington - Green Bay Gamblers
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