In Chicago and Dubuque
This weekend, the Black Hawks visit both Chicago and Dubuque. Friday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Chicago Steel is the only head-to-head matchup between the teams on the 2022/23 schedule. Waterloo won the most recent meeting on February 27, 2021, with Mason Reiners' overtime winner yielding a 7-6 final at Young Arena. This Saturday, the Hawks will be visiting the Fighting Saints for the first time during the current season. Waterloo swings into Mystique Ice Center at 7:05 p.m. Dubuque topped the Hawks twice at Young Arena – October 29th and December 28th – with both games finishing in 5-2 finals.
Twenty in a Hurry
Friday's game at Fox Valley Ice Arena will be the first meeting of teams that have reached the 20-win threshold in 2022/23. Waterloo has arrived at 20 wins considerably more quickly than last season when the Hawks claimed their 20th victory on February 25th. By edging Des Moines last Saturday, Waterloo is at the milestone more quickly than in seven of the last ten years. In 2012/13 (January 4th) and 2013/14 (December 28th), the Hawks eventually won 39 and 44 games respectively. Waterloo's 20th win of 2019/20 came on December 28th, and the team was at 33 when the season was stopped by COVID-19.
Appealing Overtimes
A 5-4 overtime result against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Saturday makes the Hawks 6-0 in overtime and shootout situations this season. The six victories match Waterloo's total from 2021/22, when the team was 6-4. The Hawks have been above .500 in overtime for each of the three prior seasons; since 2019/20, Waterloo's overtime-plus-shootout mark is 23-7.
Moving In from Madison
Miko Matikka joins the Hawks with more points this season (35) than any player on the Waterloo roster. It's not the first time that has happened. In 2015/16, the Hawks acquired Sam McCormick and Ryan Lohin from the Capitols. Their point totals at the time of the trade (42 and 39 respectively) were more than any of their new teammates. McCormick went on to notch 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 14 games for Waterloo, while Lohin had 18 (seven goals, 11 assists) over the same span.
Recent Games
Caden Brown and Connor Brown each scored twice Friday, and the Black Hawks used a five-goal third period to surge past the Des Moines Buccaneers, 7-5 on the road. The next night at home, four different Waterloo defensemen scored during a 5-4 overtime contest. Gavin O'Connell was the only Hawks forward to find the net Saturday, registering the game-winner at 2:30 of extra time.
Friday, January 13 BLACK HAWKS 7, Des Moines 5
Recap
Saturday, January 14 Des Moines 4, BLACK HAWKS 5 (OT)
Recap
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The Domino's Family 4-Pack returns the next time the Hawks are on home ice. Friday, January 27th, get four tickets, four soda, four chuck-a-pucks, and a large, single-topping Domino's pizza for $60 when the Hawks host the Lincoln Stars.
To order, click here.
