Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

November 19, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Cowbell Cup Weekend

Both the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders visit Young Arena this weekend. The respective Friday and Saturday matchups each begin at 7:05 p.m. The last time Waterloo hosted both of their Dupaco Cowbell Cup rivals for home games in the same weekend was April 8 and 9, 2016 to conclude the 2015/16 USHL regular season. However, the Hawks have had a similar experience much more recently. On November 8th and 9th, Waterloo visited each opponent in the same order. The Hawks won their game in Dubuque, 3-2, before falling to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 4-1, the next night.

Defensemen on the Rise

Games last Friday and Saturday represented a collective offensive outburst for Waterloo Black Hawks defensemen. Prior to the two matchups with the Omaha Lancers, the Hawks' blue-liners had 19 combined points (three goals, 16 assists) in 13 games this season. Against the Lancers, they recorded nine (three goals, six assists). Among the highlights, Luke Bast, Jacob Bengtsson, and Aaron Bohlinger all scored, while Ethan Szmagaj had three assists.

Overtimes and Shootouts

Waterloo improved to 3-1 in overtime games this season with a 4-3 Saturday victory versus the Lancers. All four Hawks overtimes have been settled without requiring a shootout (the last time Waterloo was involved in one of those was March 26th, a 5-4 loss to the Sioux Falls Stampede). In fact, just four games have gone to shootouts across the entire USHL this season. Last year, through November 11th, there had been 14.

Making a Point

Logan Stein became the first Black Hawk goalie with a point this season, when he was credited with an assist on Aaron Bohlinger's first period goal Saturday. Stein had two assists last season, and as a group, Black Hawks goalies had three (Evan Fear had recorded the most recent point by a Waterloo goalie on February 23rd). Stein's more notable contributions to the Hawks this season have been of the defensive variety: he currently leads the league in goals-against average (1.93) and save percentage (.923).

Weekend Recap

The Black Hawks had twin 4-3 wins against the Omaha Lancers on Friday and Saturday to open a five-game homestand. Friday, Connor Caponi scored twice, including an empty net goal which proved to be the game-winner after the Lancers scored with an extra attacker late in the third period. Saturday, two Lancer goals in the final frame forced overtime, but Ryder Rolston won the game for Waterloo 2:23 into the extra period. He finished the night with two points, as did Ethan Szmagaj and Ryan Drkulec (each with two assists).

United States Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2019

• Youngstown's Kuntar Selected to Team USA Roster for World Junior A Challenge - Youngstown Phantoms
• Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Musketeers Send 3 to World Junior A Challenge - Sioux City Musketeers
• Second Annual Honor Flight Night Raises over $23,000 - Fargo Force
• USHL Players Comprise 2019 U.S. Men's World Junior a Challenge - USHL
• Hawks Play for USA at 2019 WJAC - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Lancers Named to WJAC U.S. Men's Junior Select Team - Omaha Lancers
• Noreen, Miller, Koster, Knies to Represent Storm at World Junior A Challenge - Tri-City Storm
• Four Steel Players Selected to Team USA Roster for World Junior A Challenge - Chicago Steel
• Storm Announce Changes to Hockey Operations Department, Koehler Named GM - Tri-City Storm
• Beck Named USHL Defenseman of the Week - Fargo Force
• Saints Portillo Tabbed USHL Goalie of the Week - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Brendan Brisson Named USHL Forward of the Week - Chicago Steel
• Brendan Brisson (Chicago), Noah Beck (Fargo) and Erik Portillo (Dubuque) Earn Weekly Honors - USHL
• Eight RoughRiders Commit to D1 Hockey Programs on Initial NLI Signing Day - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

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.

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