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Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

February 20, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Opposing Road Warriors

This weekend, the Black Hawks host two teams each having more success on the road than at home during 2023/24. Friday, the Sioux Falls Stampede arrive for a 7:05 p.m. game. The Stampede are 10-7-1 when they wear visiting colors, compared to 11-14-3 as the home team. Sioux Falls' road record includes a 4-2 win on Commercial Street December 1st. Then Saturday, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders come to Young Arena at 6:05 p.m. During their "away" schedule, the RoughRiders are 10-9-3, compared to 7-12-3 when occupying the home bench. The Hawks claimed the prior meeting in Waterloo 2-0 on Thanksgiving. However, the RoughRiders won the most recent head-to-head game 3-2 when the teams matched up in Cedar Rapids last Saturday.

Role Reversal

For much of this season, John Mustard has been steadily scoring goals while Gavyn Thoreson churned out assists. Mustard leads all USHL rookies - and is tied for seventh overall in the league - with 22 goals. Thoreson currently holds a share of third in the USHL assist race with 34. However, last weekend's results went topsy-turvy. Thoreson produced his second multigoal game of the season Sunday after also notching a goal on Friday. Mustard set up all three of Thoreson's tallies and was credited with two other helpers for good measure. The linemates are Waterloo's top two point-producers, with Thoreson at 47 and Mustard at 45.

A Streak That's Over

Jakub Altrichter was held without a goal or assist on Friday. The game ended a streak of 10 consecutive home games with at least one point. Altrichter had been on the stat sheet during each of his appearances at Young Arena dating back to Thanksgiving. In that time, he produced four goals and 11 assists.

Shootout Scorers

The Black Hawks have scored nine shootout goals in 22 attempts this season. That is notably more than any other team; the Sioux City Musketeers are next with five conversions. Gavyn Thoreson recorded a shootout goal during a four-round win over the Youngstown Phantoms Sunday. It was his third shootout tally of the season, tying him with Sioux City's Brian Nicholas for the most individually in the league. Six different Black Hawks have converted at least one shootout chance.

Recent Games

Less than three minutes into the weekend, the Hawks pulled ahead of the Des Moines Buccaneers on a goal by Griffin Erdman Friday. Waterloo led the rest of the way during a 4-1 victory. Saturday in Cedar Rapids, the Hawks never led before falling to the RoughRiders 3-2. Wrapping up the challenging schedule on Sunday, Gavyn Thoreson scored twice in regulation, then in a shootout for a 3-2 win versus the Youngstown Phantoms.

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

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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