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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

February 22, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Dubuque, Des Moines Descent on Commercial Street

The Black Hawks conclude their February schedule with home games versus the Dubuque Fighting Saints (24-12-5) and Des Moines Buccaneers (13-22-5). Friday's 7:05 p.m. game is Dubuque's first visit since November 5th; the Hawks have been to Mystique three times in the intervening months. Overall, Waterloo is 2-3-0 against the Fighting Saints this winter. During Saturday's 6:05 p.m. contest against Des Moines, the Bucs come to Young Arena for the first time since a 5-3 Hawks win on New Year's Eve. Des Moines won a more recent meeting at Buccaneer Arena on January 14th.

Second Try for 20

Friday's matchup will be the Hawks' second attempt to win their 20th game in 2021/22. Matt Smaby is seeking to become the fourth consecutive Waterloo head coach to win 20 or more games in his first season, joining P.K. O'Handley, Scott Koberinski, and Scott Pionk. Although 20 victories is a modest accomplishment in a 62-game schedule, Smaby is trying to reach the mark in 42 games. From 1980/81 through 1996/97, eight different Black Hawks coaching regimes did not reach 20 wins in their respective initial campaigns, with schedules of at least 48 games in each of those seasons.

Young Scorers

A goal and an assist for Conner Brown last Friday pushed him to a dozen points this season. The youngest player on Waterloo's roster has produced four goals and three assists over his last 11 games, beginning with a January 15th matchup against Dubuque. Brown's 12 points tie him for seventh in the league among current USHL players who were born in 2005. The Chicago Steel's Jayden Perron leads the group with 29 points.

Responding to a Shutout

A 4-0 loss to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders marked the third time this season that the Hawks have been shutout. Previously, Waterloo rebounded with wins in the next game. The Fargo Foce squelched the Hawks 1-0 on December 16th, but Waterloo won a 5-2 rematch the next night. Then after falling to Dubuque 8-0 on December 29th, the Hawks returned to action with a 5-3 win against Des Moines on the 31st.

Recent Games

Three goals during the early stages of the first period last Friday propelled the Black Hawks past the Sioux Falls Stampede 5-2. Four Waterloo skaters had multiple points during the victory, and Emmett Croteau earned the win with 27 saves. The result clinched the season series, as the Hawks prevailed for the fourth time in five tries with two games remaining against the Stampede. Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo was limited to two shots on goal in the first period and 20 for the game during a 4-0 loss to the RoughRiders.

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

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2022


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