Staying Home on Saturday

For the second straight week, the Black Hawks' schedule includes a stand-alone home game.  On Saturday night, Waterloo will meet the Madison Capitols for the first of four head-to-head tilts in 2026/27.  However, this weekend's game is the only one between the teams at Young Arena.  Last year, the Hawks' lone win against the Capitols was on home ice: a 2-0 December 27th victory during the first game after the USHL Holiday Break.  Madison won four other games against the Hawks.

East-West Back in Balance

Madison will be the Black Hawks' fourth Eastern Conference opponent during the early weeks of the current schedule.  Waterloo is 2-0-1 so far against Eastern teams.  By comparison, the Hawks were just 4-22-3 in cross-conference games last year.  Waterloo was one of several Western clubs in similar circumstances during 2025/26; the East claimed 102 of the 162 Eastern-versus-Western matchups last winter.  So far this year, Western teams are holding their own, claiming 12 wins in 20 tries.
 
Dustin Making Solid Impression

Forward Colin Dustin recorded the eventual game-winning goal last Friday during a 6-3 Waterloo victory against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  It was Dustin's second goal of the season, both on the power play.  The Niagara recruit is skating for Waterloo in 2026/27 after playing for the Rochester Jr. Americans of the North American Hockey League last year.  In 53 NAHL regular season games, Dustin tallied 20 goals and 20 assists.  Just three of his goals last winter came in power play situations.

Productive PP Unit

Colin Dustin is the only Black Hawk with multiple power play goals so far this season, however that fact has not limited Waterloo's power play scoring.  Six different Hawks have found the net in power play situations through just five games.  That's more power play goal contributors than any other club at this stage of the season.  Throughout the entirety of 2025/26, there were 13 different Waterloo players who scored a power play goal, putting the Hawks nearly halfway to matching that number already. Toby Carlson and Trevor O'Donohue were each among last season's power play scorers and are currently seeking their first power play goals of 2026/27.  Carlson's five power play goals are the most among returning veterans.

Recent Games

The Hawks skated to a wire-to-wire win last Friday against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  Dylan Nolan scored shorthanded and power play goals in the first period.  Hayden Russell found the net twice in the third period.  Charlie Menard made 27 saves to improve his record to 2-0-1 as a Black Hawk.

Friday, October 2 Dubuque 3, BLACK HAWKS 6  Recap

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Saturday is 9 to 5 Night against the Madison Capitols at 6:35 p.m. as the Hawks celebrate the music and legacy of Dolly Parton.  The first 1,000 fans will also receive a 2026/27 Black Hawks schedule poster from Karen's Print Rite.  Stick around after the game for this season's first Signature Saturday, with autographs from select Hawks players on the concourse.  Tickets for all Hawks home games are available around the clock from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.