The Waterloo Black Hawks moved to first place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference thanks to a 2-1 Saturday night win against the Des Moines Buccaneers at Young Arena.

Sebastian Charvat made 32 saves in the crease, improving to 4-0-0 this season.  The Hawks have earned 15 of 16 possible points to open the year, and Saturday's result pushes the Hawks to seven consecutive victories.  Waterloo's last such run was a seven-game sequence from December 31, 2022, through January 20, 2023.
 
After a power play-heavy first 10 minutes, Cody Sokol produced the only goal of the first period during an advantage with 6:47 left before intermission.  Handling the puck near the edge of the crease, he was able to turn quickly and slip his shot between Jon Kavcic's pads.

Then the Hawks caught the Buccaneers pressing for an equalizer late in the second.  With 1:32 left before intermission, a Des Moines misfire in the Waterloo zone led to a three-on-one breakout.  Keegan Davis clicked with Troy Hunka, who moved up the slot to snap in a wrister to the glove side.

The Buccaneers ratcheted up the pressure in the third period, pulling back within a goal during a power play at 8:27.  Riley Zupfer sent his chance through traffic and into the net from the right circle.

Charvat stopped a dozen other shots in the third.  Des Moines finished with a 33-30 edge in chances.

The Hawks are on the road next weekend, headed for Wisconsin for games against the Madison Capitols on Friday and Saturday.

Des Moines 0 0 1 - 1
Waterloo 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-1, Waterloo, Sokol 4 (Hunka, Nsonsa Kitala), 13:13 (PP). Penalties-Smith Dsm (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 0:12; O'Donohue Wat (major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 0:12; Malinek Wat (cross checking), 0:56; Dubravik Dsm (roughing), 3:17; Capecci Dsm (hooking), 4:00; Russell Wat (tripping), 4:04; Wooten Dsm (roughing), 11:19.

2nd Period-2, Waterloo, Hunka 1 (Davis), 18:28. Penalties-Malinek Wat (high sticking), 1:53; Argentina Dsm (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:22; Zupfer Dsm (diving/embellishment), 13:50; Russell Wat (roughing), 13:50.

3rd Period-3, Des Moines, Zupfer 4 (Wenkus), 8:27 (PP). Penalties-Russell Wat (holding), 6:44.

Shots on Goal-Des Moines 9-11-13-33. Waterloo 16-10-4-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Des Moines 1 / 5; Waterloo 1 / 5.
Goalies-Des Moines, Kavcic 3-3-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Waterloo, Charvat 4-0-0-0 (33 shots-32 saves).
A-2,240