It’s Official, Black Hawks Make Playoffs

The Waterloo Black Hawks have qualified for the United States Hockey League post-season. Home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs still up for grabs.

The Black Hawks will try to reach the Clark Cup Championship Series for the sixth time in the last 13 seasons this spring, and by next week, Waterloo will have a better idea what the road to the Cup might look like.

With 67 standings points, the Black Hawks are currently tied for second place in the United States Hockey League Western Conference. Factoring other teams’ positions in the standings, matchups remaining on the USHL schedule, and relevant tie-breakers, there is no scenario in which Waterloo would be left out of postseason play. It remains to be determined whether the Hawks will finish second, third, or fourth in the Western Conference.

Should the Hawks finish second, they would claim home ice advantage for a best-of-five first round playoff series with Games One and Two in Young Arena. Otherwise, Waterloo would go on the road to open the postseason, with Game Three – and Game Four if necessary – back on home ice. A detailed schedule will be announced when all seeds and matchups have been officially concluded.

Tuesday, the Black Hawks announced a Clark Cup Playoff “Pay As We Play” ticket package, available to both season ticket- and non-season ticket holders. By signing up for the team’s “Pay As We Play” postseason option, fans can guarantee that they have their favorite seat for all potential home games, while only paying for the ones which are actually played.

Wednesday, April 13th is the deadline to turn in “Pay as We Play” order forms, which are available from waterlooblackhawks.com or at Young Arena. Those with 2015/16 season tickets will have their current seats held automatically until that date. A special order form for non-season ticket holders provides a section to list several preferred seat locations. Anyone with questions is invited to call the Black Hawks at (319) 232-3444.

The 2015/16 regular season concludes at Young Arena Friday and Saturday with games against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Dubuque Fighting Saints. Tickets for these vital rivalry games are still available by calling the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visiting waterlooblackhawks.com.

Contributed By: Tim Harwood (Waterloo Black Hawks)