Waterloo returned home from Plymouth, Michigan with a win and a loss and find themselves tied for 2nd place in the Western Conference.

FRIDAY NIGHT VS. TEAM USA (17U)

Three first period goals gave Waterloo the early surge necessary for a 5-3 win Friday against the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17s.

The Black Hawks’ early goals came short-handed, even-strength, and on the power play in that order. Matt Koopman, Ethan Szmagaj and Joe Cassetti all scored goals.

The U-17s rallied in the second, pulling a goal back by the time the frame came to an end. Despite a sequence of power plays and the NTDP spending the last two-and-a-half minutes with an empty net and extra attacker, neither team was able to dent the net again. Jared Moe made 27 saves for the win.

SATURDAY NIGHT VS. TEAM USA (18U)

Three goals in the second period by the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18s keyed a 3-1 final as the Black Hawks fell on the road Saturday.

The Hawks denied four NTDP power plays in the first period, but couldn’t score on any of four power plays in the second. The U-18s seized the lead when a long rebound came to Case McCarthy on right wing, and he blasted it inside the long-side post. The NTDP added two more in the late minutes of the second.

The lone Waterloo score came in the third period on a power play. Spencer Knight stopped Matej Blumel’s shot from the right point, but Joe Cassetti got to the front of the net to poke in a rebound. The Black Hawks could not find a way to squeeze another shot between the pipes, despite out-shooting the U-18s 13-11 in the final period. Jared Moe made 37 saves in the loss.

BLACK HAWKS BACK IN PARTY TOWN THIS WEEKEND

The last pre-Christmas home games on the Waterloo schedule are this weekend on Friday and Saturday. The Black Hawks host the Madison Capitols, followed by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Both contests begin at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6:05 p.m. Waterloo will wear Pearl Harbor remembrance jerseys, and auctioned after Saturday’s game to benefit local veterans’ causes. For tickets, call the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 232-3444.

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