USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on October 26, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


*Rolling Up to Fargo

No opponent was more problematic for the Waterloo Black Hawks in 2020/21 than the Fargo Force (3-3-1), who await the Hawks this Friday (7:05 p.m.) and Saturday (6:05 p.m.) at Scheels Arena. Waterloo was 0-6-0 versus Fargo last winter. The Force's success against the Hawks helped Fargo claim the final USHL Western Conference playoff slot, and from there they advanced to the Clark Cup Championship Series, finishing as runners-up to the Chicago Steel. Both teams have new coaching staffs this season, with Matt Smaby leading the Hawks and longtime North American Hockey League coach Scott Langer spending his first year in Fargo.

Close to "Home"

Head Coach Matt Smaby had a successful three-year NCAA career at the University of North Dakota, just up the highway from Fargo in Grand Forks. The Minneapolis native played in 127 games for the program, helping UND reach two Frozen Fours. When the coronavirus pandemic interrupted his professional hockey coaching career in Europe, Smaby returned to Grand Forks to manage the area's youth hockey program last winter.

Hat in Hand

Carter Batchelder's three-goal game last Saturday versus the Lincoln Stars was the first hat trick by a Black Hawk since Wyatt Schingoethe earned the achievement on January 26th against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Waterloo's other hat trick last season came from Ryan O'Hara against the Omaha Lancers January 19th. Batchelder has one of five hat tricks leaguewide in 2021/22. One of the others was completed by Fargo's Andre Gasseau on October 9th against the Sioux City Musketeers.

Eight is Extraordinary

The Black Hawks' 8-4 win against the Lincoln Stars was the first time Waterloo has scored eight goals in a game since posting an identical score against the Stars at Young Arena on April 20th. The Hawks have now had at least one night during five of the last six seasons when they have scored eight goals or more. There have been seven different instances over that span, including three occasions versus the Stars.

Recent Games

The Black Hawks split a two-game weekend series against the Lincoln Stars. Although the Hawks scored first Friday, Lincoln swung ahead and stayed out of reach for a 3-2 win. Connor Brown and Tucker Ness were the only Waterloo skaters to put shots past goaltender Cameron Whitehead, who made 31 saves. Saturday, Lincoln took an early lead, but the Hawks were ahead by the first intermission and never trailed thereafter in an 8-4 victory. Carter Batchelder (three goals), Tyler Kostelecky (two goals, one assist), and Michael LaStarza (one goal, two assists) each had three points Saturday night.

For complete box scores from previous Black Hawks games, visit ushl.com.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2021


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