The Waterloo Black Hawks continue their match toward the playoffs, and they continue to prove they are the team to beat.

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After earning three out of a possible four standing points this past weekend, the Waterloo Black Hawks (33-14-6-2, 74 points in 55 games) sit on top of the United States Hockey League's Western Conference.

The battle for the Western crown is proving to be a nail bitter. Sitting one spot back of Waterloo are the Fargo Force (33-16-3-4, 73 points in 56 games) and the Omaha Lancers (34-16-2-3, 73 points in 55 games). The Sioux Falls Stampede (32-15-4-4 72 games in 55 games) are only two points back of Waterloo.

Five regular season games remain for Waterloo, and the stretch run favors the Black Hawks. Four of those five games are home games, and two of those games will be against Western Conference threat Sioux Falls. There is no better way to knock down a threat is beat them on your home ice.

The Black Hawks have scored the third most goals so far this season, and Waterloo is the only team in the USHL to have more than one team in the Top Ten of scoring. Jackson Cates is third overall (62 pts, 33 G, 29 A) in scoring and second in total goals. Jack Drury is fifth (58 PTS, 22 G, 36 A), and Ben Copeland is currently seventh (54 PTS, 15 G, 39 A).

Special Teams have proven to be a positive for our hometown Hawks. Waterloo has the third best Power Play (22.8%) inthe league. Although the Penalty Kill ranks eighth, Coach P.K. O'Handly's boys leads the leagues in Short Handed Goals with 16 in 55 games.

Waterloo could also earn the Anderson Cup which is awarded to the team with the best overall record each season in the USHL. They sit just three points back of Team USA (38-17-0-1, 77 points in 56 games), who lead the USHL's Eastern Conference, but they could close the gab to one point this Tuesday night.

Tuesday, April 3, the Black Hawks hosts the Sioux City Musketeers. Let's pack Party Town and cheer on the Black Hawks. Sign up to win tickets for that game below.

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