The Waterloo Black Hawks defeated the Dubuque Fighting Saints 4-1 on Friday, and clinched second place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference.

The Hawks started the day with a one-point lead over the Lincoln Stars.  Waterloo's win coupled with Lincoln's 6-3 loss to the Tri-City Storm gives the Hawks an insurmountable three-point edge.  By earning second place, Waterloo also has a bye through the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs.  
 
Griffin Erdman scored twice in Friday's win.  The Black Hawks were under pressure in the defensive zone before recording the only goal in the first period at 6:53.  Breaking the pressure with a two-on-two rush.  Erdman got the puck to Myles Hilman, and Hilman returned it as Erdman came flying up the slot to score on a shot under the crossbar.

Dubuque evened up the score for most of the second.  Fisher Scott was deep in the Waterloo zone and shoveled the puck toward the crease.  Helped along by James Reeder, it found Ryan St. Louis in the opposite circle, and the Saints' leading scorer put the puck into an open side at 4:04.

However, Waterloo went back in front 2:11 before intermission.  After a faceoff win, Patrick Geary's initial shot was blocked, but Caden Brown gained control between the circles.  From there, he fired his chance under the crossbar.

Gennadi Chaly added an insurance goal at 5:39.  Set up by Miko Matikka, Chaly's low shot caught a piece of Marcus Brannman but still made it into the cage.

The Hawks did not score in the middle stages of the period during 93 seconds of five-on-three power play time.  However, the Saints lifted Brannman with just under four minutes to go, and Erdman added his second of the night into the open net with a try from just across the blue line at 17:56.

Emmett Croteau earned the win with 22 saves.  Waterloo outshot Dubuque in each period and by a final count of 48-23.

The Black Hawks' final regular season game of 2022/23 is an instant rematch against the Fighting Saints at Young Arena Saturday.  The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Black Hawks team photo.  In addition, hundreds of Black Hawks t-shirts will be thrown to lucky fans in the crowd at the first intermission, presented by Next Generation Wireless.  Seats are still available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.

Waterloo 1 1 2 - 4
Dubuque 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Erdman 17 (Hilman, Baker), 6:53. Penalties-Montes Dbq (holding), 14:20.

2nd Period-2, Dubuque, St. Louis 30 (Reeder, Scott), 4:04. 3, Waterloo, Brown 7   17:49. Penalties-No Penalties

3rd Period-4, Waterloo, Chaly 8 (Matikka), 5:39. 5, Waterloo, Erdman 18 (Baker), 17:56 (EN). Penalties-Rinzel Wat (checking from behind), 2:24; Morrison Dbq (boarding), 9:26; Wallberg Dbq (hooking), 9:54.

Shots on Goal-Waterloo 16-15-17-48. Dubuque 10-8-5-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 3; Dubuque 0 / 1.
Goalies-Waterloo, Croteau 18-10-0-0 (23 shots-22 saves). Dubuque, Brännman 23-13-3-1 (47 shots-44 saves).
A-3,111