To outsiders, the Black Hawks were decided underdogs in the spring of 2004, but that wasn't the outlook in the Waterloo locker room.  Nearly 20 years later, fans at Young Arena will have the opportunity to celebrate the 2004 Clark Cup Championship run on Saturday, March 9th when the current Black Hawks host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 6:05 p.m.

The Hawks will skate in jerseys patterned after the sweaters which the team was wearing on May 5, 2004 when Young Arena erupted in celebration as Waterloo clinched the title during Game Four against the Tri-City Storm.  Next Saturday, lucky fans will also have the chance to receive one of the 1,000 Joe Pavelski bobble heads that will be given away.  The game is presented by U.S. Bank.

"Black Hawks fans have so many great memories of that night and that whole season," said Black Hawks President and COO Joe Greene.  "We are really looking forward sharing a little nostalgia, celebrating a special time in Waterloo hockey history, and even hearing from some of the players who were on that team."

During the March 9th matchup, the Hawks anticipate sharing several video messages provided by members of the 2004 squad.

As the end of the 2003/04 season approached, Waterloo was in a tight race to qualify for the playoffs.  They were the last team in the Eastern Division to officially earn their spot, officially clinching their bid during the final weekend of the regular season.  However, Waterloo stunned the Chicago Steel in a five-game, first round set, then swept the Danville Wings.  Facing the Anderson Cup Champion Tri-City Storm, the Hawks won the first two games in Kearney, Nebraska, before falling in Game Three.

Game Four proved to be the deciding contest, thanks to goals by Mike Radja and Joel Hanson.  The crowd of 3,500 hung on along with goaltender Kevin Regan as he made 35 saves and was named Most Valuable Player of the Clark Cup Playoffs.  Pavelski and Peter MacArthur tied for Waterloo's postseason scoring lead with 12 points apiece during the dozen playoff games.

The Pavelski bobblehead features the former Waterloo captain in a celebratory pose similar to how he appeared on that season's Black Hawks hockey cards.  The replica jerseys are black with red and white striping.  They feature the team logo worn from the mid-1990s through the mid-2010s.  The jerseys will be sold during a live auction after the game.
 
Tickets for the March 9th game between the Black Hawks and RoughRiders are available by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.