For the sixth time in seven February games, the Waterloo Black Hawks used an offensive barrage to outdistance an opponent, topping the Lincoln Stars 6-0 Sunday at Young Arena.

The win helped Waterloo maintain second place in the United States Hockey League's Western Conference. The Black Hawks (62 points, 29-12-2-2) trail Sioux City (63 points, 28-9-5-2) by one point in the standings. The Musketeers have played one less game thus for in the season.

The Hawks have scored at least five goals in all but one game during the month. The high-scoring night came while Peter Thome recorded 22 saves for his first United States Hockey League shutout. It was the goalie’s third win in three appearances since being acquired by the Hawks.

Waterloo spent 3:44 of the first five-and-a-half minutes shorthanded, but the Hawks weathered the special teams challenge, and went to the lead 7:07 into the game. Kevin Charyszyn’s pass from behind the Lincoln net came to Grant Gabriele above the right circle. The big defenseman fired a shot which Charyszyn deflected to the top corner over the shoulder of Josef Korenar. Waterloo struck again on a power play at 11:57. This time, Charyszyn was positioned at the top of the crease, where he redirected Mikey Anderson’s low shot to the back of the cage.

In the second, the Hawks used one combination for two power play goals during a five-minute Lincoln penalty. Nick Swaney went to the front of the net to swat the puck across the goal line at 8:29. He was set up by Gabriele and Alex Limoges, and they created the opportunity for Swaney to score again at 9:42. In the second instance, Limoges was behind the net and slipped the puck to Swaney, who fired home from the slot.

Ben Copeland added a final goal prior to intermission at 17:32. After Charyszyn made a strong move to the Lincoln net, Copeland followed up to cash in on the rebound. The Hawks limited Lincoln to four shots during the middle 20 minutes.

Limoges recorded the second assist on Copeland’s goal and added his fourth point of the night 2:01 into the third period. Swaney sent a rink-wide pass to Shane Bowers; Bowers found Limoges at the opposite post with a feed from the left circle, and Limoges knocked the puck into an open side.

The Black Hawks conclude February’s scheduled action next Friday and Saturday on home ice against the Bloomington Thunder and Omaha Lancers. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m.; it’s a College Weekend, with $7 advanced purchase tickets or $8 seats with college ID on game day. For more details, call the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.

More From 97.7 KCRR