Black Hawks Thump Team USA, 5-1

The Waterloo Black Hawks rebounded for a big win against Team USA on Saturday, March 7, 2015. The Black Hawks have a 11-3-3 record since January 17th.

Nick Swaney recorded two goals and two assists for the Waterloo Black Hawks Saturday, yielding a 5-1 road win in Ann Arbor, Michigan, against the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17’s.

Although the puck was on edge, it didn’t bother Ronnie Hein when he scored the only goal Swaney didn’t have a hand in at 6:37 of the first period. Moving up the right wing boards, Hein drove his shot to the long side, eluding the blocker of goaltender Joseph Woll. Waterloo capitalized again at 9:23; Larry Jungwirth found Swaney cutting across the low slot, and a patient Swaney lifted the puck past Woll after the netminder had gone down.

The teams traded goals in the second. Max Jones brought the U-17’s back within one at 11:17, putting home a setup by Clayton Keller from close range. However, Blake Christensen was able to redirect a Swaney feed, which originated in the right wing corner, to reestablish a two-goal margin at 17:41.

The Black Hawks added two more goals late in the action, both on the power play. With 2:27 remaining in regulation, Ethan Spaxman fired a shot between the pipes from the left point, as Swaney helped to create the opportunity. Back on the advantage with under a minute to go, Rem Pitlick played the puck behind his back from the slot to Swaney who scored from the left circle.

The Hawks play the first of nine remaining home games on Friday at Young Arena against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive the next installment of 2014/15 Black Hawks Player trading cards. Tickets for the 7:05 p.m. Prairie Farms Cowbell Cup matchup are available by calling the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visiting waterlooblackhawks.com.