For the second time during the last four weeks, Waterloo Black Hawks veteran Emmett Croteau has been named the United States Hockey League's Goaltender of the Week.
News of the latest honor came on Monday after the Bonnyville, Alberta native helped the Hawks to a pair of thrilling one-goal victories. Waterloo edged the Sioux Falls Stampede 6-5 Friday on the road; Nate Benoit notched the winning goal with 15.6 seconds left. Then in overtime on Saturday, there were 4.7 seconds to go when Waterloo came up with a 2-1 victory on Garrett Schifsky's decisive score.
Across the rink from the scene of those dramatic goals, Croteau kept the Hawks in close proximity through the twists and turns of both games. Overall, he stopped 58 of the 64 shots he faced. The two wins move the Clarkson recruit to 38 during his USHL regular season career; his total stands fourth during the Black Hawks' junior era and one behind Cale Morris for third place. Croteau was selected by the Montreal Canadiens during the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
During the weekend opener on Friday, the 19-year-old netminder stopped 20 of 25 shots. The victorious decision moved Croteau's career record to 8-0-0 in eight appearances against Sioux Falls. He earned his first career victory in the same rink on January 9, 2021.
Saturday, Croteau came within 65 seconds of shutting out first-place Fargo. The Force's late, sixth-attacker goal was the only one of 39 shots which eluded him. Croteau's performance also included the denial of Anthony Menghini's penalty shot in the second period, as well as three saves in overtime. He has now won all five overtimes or shootouts in which he has participated this season.
Overall in 2022/23, Croteau has pushed his record to 15-10-0 in 25 appearances. His .914 save percentage ties for second in the USHL, while his 2.60 goals-against mark stands fourth. Croteau was also named the league's Goaltender of the Week on March 20th, in addition to a prior weekly award near the end of the 2021/22 schedule. Teammate Jack Spicer won Goalie of the Week recognition on January 9th. In total, a Black Hawk has won a USHL weekly award nine times this season.
With just two weekends remaining during the regular season, the Hawks will split their time between road and home ice this Friday and Saturday. Waterloo opens in Omaha against the Lancers, then comes home for a 6:05 p.m. Saturday matchup with the Sioux City Musketeers. Tickets for remaining Black Hawks regular season home games are available by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office or by visiting tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.
