USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on February 14, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Two Short Trips

The Black Hawks will visit the Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday (7 p.m.) and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Saturday (7:05 p.m.). The separate round trips add up to less bus time than Waterloo had last weekend just going one-way to play the Tri-City Storm. So far this season, the Hawks are 1-2-0 in Des Moines. Waterloo's last visit was a 7-5 comeback victory on January 13th. However, the Hawks have not been able to complete a comeback in Cedar Rapids. The RoughRiders have claimed 4-2 (October 15th) and 5-3 (November 26th) victories when hosting Waterloo this season.

Spicer Trying for 20

Goaltender Jack Spicer will attempt to earn his 20th win of 2022/23 during his next appearance. The next-highest individual victory total in the league currently is 17, so Spicer has the chance to be the first netminder with 20 USHL wins this season. Waterloo's last 20-game winner was Gabriel Carriere in 2019/20. During the USHL's all-junior era (beginning in 1979), Hawks goalies have reached the milestone 13 times, all since the 1999/2000 season.

O'Connell at 100

Gavin O'Connell is on a trajectory to play his 100th regular season game as a Black Hawk on Friday. He was in the lineup for all 62 Waterloo contests last winter and has skated in 37 of 40 this year. Since the start of February, O'Connell has six goals and three assists, his best scoring run during any four-game span as a USHL'er. In his first 99 appearances, the Minnesota-Duluth recruit has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists). With 28 of those points this season, O'Connell currently ranks fourth in scoring for Waterloo.

Uncharacteristic Finish

The Black Hawks were ahead of the Tri-City Storm 2-0 after two periods on Saturday. Tri-City recovered to tie the game by the middle of the third period before Waterloo eventually won in overtime, 3-2. The game marked just the third time this season that the Hawks have been outscored by two or more goals during a third period. The other instances came on back-to-back nights during losses against the Sioux Falls Stampede December 2nd and 3rd. In total, Waterloo has outscored opponents 57-40 in third periods in 2022/23.

Recent Games

With 2-1 and 3-2 results against the Storm last weekend the Black Hawks are now 11-4-0 in one-goal games this season. Eight of the wins - including Saturday's game - have come in overtime. Gavin O'Connell capped the weekend with the overtime score. On Friday, he had set up goals by Miko Matikka and Garrett Schifsky. Emmett Croteau (37 saves Friday) and Jack Spicer (35 saves Saturday) each earned a victory in net.

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 February 14, 2023


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