USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on April 25, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Sweet Bye and Bye

The Black Hawks are not playing during the first round of the USHL's Clark Cup Playoffs, which began last night. A version of the current 12-team playoff format originated in 2011 and 2012, then was reinstituted in 2018. This is the third time the Black Hawks have had a first-round bye. After skipping the opening series in 2018, Waterloo topped the Lincoln Stars in the conference semifinal round. Under similar circumstances the next spring, the Hawks lost to the Sioux Falls Stampede. This year, Waterloo will meet either Lincoln or the Des Moines Buccaneers in a three-game series played at Young Arena beginning either Friday or Saturday.

Playoff History

The first playoff game between Waterloo and the Des Moines Buccaneers was on March 30, 1981. The Bucs won that contest 6-4. In the years since then, Waterloo and Des Moines have only faced each other in eight other playoff games. The most recent was a 1-0 Hawks overtime win on May 12, 2007. Meanwhile, Waterloo and Lincoln did not meet in the postseason until 2012. If the Hawks and Stars align this weekend, it would be the fifth playoff series between the clubs. Measured by playoff games, Lincoln ties as Waterloo's third-most prolific playoff opponent (15 games), behind on the Sioux City Musketeers (20) and Chicago Steel (18).

Been There Before

Eleven Black Hawks who might skate this weekend have previously appeared for Waterloo during a postseason game. The group includes Connor Brown, Garrett Schifsky, and Gavin Lindberg, who each scored at least one goal in last spring's best-of-three series against Lincoln. In addition, the Hawks' roster also includes defensemen Nate Benoit and Garrett Brown. Benoit played four postseason games for the Omaha Lancers in 2022, while Brown took the ice for 10 playoff contests for the Sioux City Musketeers.

Notable Number Potpourri

The Black Hawks were one of just two USHL clubs to reach the 40-win threshold during the 2022/23 regular season (the Fargo Force was the other). Waterloo won 12 of 13 overtime/shootout games, leading the USHL in both extra time victories and winning percentage (.923). The Hawks paced the league in shots on goal per game (35.5) and also had the highest single-game shot count (59, on January 20th at Chicago).

Recent Games

Griffin Erdman scored twice last Friday - assisted by linemates Owen Baker and Myles Hilman on each goal - and the Waterloo Black Hawks edged the Dubuque Fighting Saints 4-1. Coupled with Lincoln's loss that night against the Tri-City Storm, Waterloo clinched second place in the USHL Western Conference. Dubuque won a Saturday rematch 3-2, despite goals by Gavyn Thoreson and Connor Brown.

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 April 25, 2023


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