Sports stats



USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

January 31, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Three Games, Two Races

The second of Waterloo's three-games-in-three-days sequences starts Thursday night at Dubuque Ice Arena with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Fighting Saints. Both teams are part of the four-team Dupaco Cowbell Cup series. The Fighting Saints currently lead the Dupaco standings with 18 points, while the Hawks are third with 10. Waterloo's maximum point total is 24, so a Thursday loss would be a significant impediment to contending for the Cowbell Cup. Then Friday (7:05 p.m.) and Saturday (6:05 p.m.), the Black Hawks are back on home ice to host the Fargo Force. Fargo leads second-place Waterloo by five points in the USHL Western Conference. Both teams have 27 games remaining this season.

Getting Started with Fargo

As of today, none of the seven meetings between the Black Hawks and Force have been played. Fargo is the only opponent on the Waterloo schedule who the Hawks haven't met. Last season, three of seven meetings between the teams went to overtime. Only one game was settled by more than two goals (a 5-2 Waterloo win on December 17, 2021). The Force visit the Cedar Valley as the USHL's best defensive team, allowing just 2.4 goals per game. Goaltenders Matej Marinov (1.96) and Anton Castro (2.37) have the top goals-against averages in the league, and Fargo's .915 team save percentage is also the best on the circuit.

#100 x Two

Thursday's game in Dubuque will likely be the 100th USHL regular season appearance for both Garrett Schifsky and Owen Baker. Each of the forwards appeared for Waterloo as affiliates during the 2020/21 season. Baker's debut was on December 18th that winter; Schifsky skated as a Hawk for the first time a few months later on April 3rd. In 2022/23, the two veterans are tied for the team lead with 27 points apiece.

Almost As Good As It Gets

The Black Hawks' results could hardly have been better during January. Waterloo went 8-1-0, including victories in all four home games at Young Arena. The Hawks were 7-0-0 against Western Conference foes. In total, Waterloo had a 45-27 aggregate scoring advantage over their opponents. Aaron Pionk and Owen Baker were the Hawks' top point producers with 10 apiece.

Recent Games

By scoring five goals in the opening 20 minutes against the Lincoln Stars on Friday, the Black Hawks matched their most productive period of the season. Waterloo went on to win the game 6-3. Hosting the Sioux City Musketeers Saturday, the Hawks celebrated two second period goals separated by 18 seconds, on the way to a 5-1 result. Waterloo did not trail at any point in either game.

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

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2023


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.

Other Recent Waterloo Black Hawks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central