Black Hawks Preview (March 6-7)

The Waterloo Black Hawks hit the road this weekend (March 6-7, 2015)for two games against Team USA. Novak the assist king, powerful power play, and more in this week's preview.

On the Road to Ann Arbor:
The Waterloo Black Hawks meet both halves of the U.S. National Team Development Program this weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Friday, the Hawks face the older “Under 18” squad, then follow up by meeting the “Under 17’s” on Saturday. In USHL action this season, the U-18’s are 12-4-0, while the U-17’s are 5-19-0. Many of the older NTDP players and a few of the younger ones will represent the United States from April 16th to 26th at the World Under-18 Championships in Switzerland.

Just Like Chris Paul:
No one is putting Tom Novak in an insurance commercial, but Waterloo’s first-year forward could be favorably compared to a certain LA Clippers point guard. Novak’s 34 assists tie for third in the United States Hockey League, just five behind league-leader Josh Melnick of the Youngstown Phantoms. Novak has recorded multiple assists ten times, including five three-assist performances. He is seeking to become the second Waterloo player in the last three years to pace the league, after Justin Kloos had 58 in 2012/13.

Special Teams on the Road:
Away from Young Arena, the Black Hawks’ power play has been superb, but the team’s penalty-killing has not been as successful. As Waterloo prepares for the last consecutive road games of the season, the squad seeks to sharpen a league-leading 25.7% road power play percentage. By comparison, Waterloo’s 77.7% away penalty-killing mark ranks 14th in the league. Team USA’s home power play and penalty killing efficiencies rank 12th and 14th respectively among USHL clubs.

Back Where He Began:
Blake Christensen spent his first USHL season with the National Team Development Program. In 29 USHL appearances during 2012/13, he recorded three goals and two assists. Last winter, Christensen faced the NTDP four times as a member of the Youngstown Phantoms or Muskegon Lumberjacks, scoring one goal.

Weekly Recap:
During a pair of home games, Waterloo allowed just two regulation goals, yet still faced unfortunate outcomes. In between, the Hawks broke out for five goals on the road during a Prairie Farms Cowbell Cup matchup against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The Sioux Falls Stampede made a late first period goal stand up during a 1-0 decision Friday. Waterloo responded for a 5-3 win in Dubuque the next night, with the game-winning goal from Tom Novak. Facing the Omaha Lancers Sunday, defenseman Alex Robert scored with 2:01 to go, forcing overtime, but the Lancers took the game in a three-round shootout. Goaltender Cale Morris appeared in all three contests and stopped 95 of the 100 shots he faced.