Waterloo Black Hawks Host Cedar Rapids This Friday

It's the most heated rivalry in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Waterloo Black Hawks host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this Friday, October 17, 2014.  The puck drops at 7:05 PM.  Doors open at 6:05 PM.

Rivalries…Fiercest and Oldest:
The Black Hawks’ first game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders was played just over 15 years ago on October 1, 1999. The rivalry, which has taken on great significance for fans of both teams during passing seasons, will be renewed Friday. Currently, both clubs are within two points of first place in their respective conferences. Waterloo’s first USHL game against the Sioux City Musketeers was in the more distant past, on November 4, 1972. The clubs have played every year since; most recently, the Hawks topped the Musketeers last spring during a four-game playoff series. The first of six Waterloo-Sioux City games this year will be at Tyson Events Center Saturday. The Hawks also play the RoughRiders six times in 2014/15.

Leading the League:
Forward Brock Boeser is tied for the United States Hockey League lead for goals and points. He scored three times last weekend, and has at least one point in every Waterloo game. Boeser’s six goals are currently equal with Matheson Iacopelli of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. With eight points, he is on even terms with teammate Tyler Sheehy and Mason Bergh of the Chicago Steel. Boeser has history with both of this week’s Waterloo opponents; he played eight regular season games for the Sioux City Musketeers last spring, and during his debut there, he scored his first USHL goal against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on February 28th.

Early Excitement:
The Black Hawks are currently the only USHL team with ten first period goals. If trends continue, the early minutes of Friday’s game should be entertaining; the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders have allowed the fewest first period goals of any team, outscoring their opponents 6-1. Waterloo has scored the first goal in four of five games played, but Cedar Rapids is a perfect four-for-four in that department. They are the only USHL team to have scored the first goal in every game they have played.

Phil Factor:
Phil Beaulieu scored his first USHL goal Saturday against the Sioux Falls Stampede. The third period score broke a 3-3 tie and sent Waterloo on toward a 6-4 victory. However, Beaulieu is most familiar with the league’s other Siouxland squad. Of his 31 regular season appearances, six have been against Sioux City, and his four assists against the Musketeers are more than against any other opponent.

Weekly Recap:
The Fargo Force scored twice in the third period on Friday, rallying past the Black Hawks, 4-3. The result came despite two Waterloo assists by Hayden Shaw. Saturday, it was Waterloo scoring three times in the third to top the Sioux Falls Stampede, 6-4. Brock Boeser and Niko Hildenbrand each scored twice in the game.