MASON CITY, Iowa – With winter weather starting to settle into northern Iowa, you’ll soon see a whole lot more gloves and hats being worn. North Iowa forward Jarod Blackowiak is racking up quite a collection of the latter – he notched two hat tricks Friday and Saturday against the Willmar WarHawks, and was chosen this week’s Bauer Hockey West Division Star of the Week by the North American 3 Hockey League.
Blackowiak tallied seven goals this past weekend, the first North Iowa player in nearly a year to rack up hat tricks in back-to-back games. Last season, Josh Arnold closed out the 2017 calendar year with back-to-back four-goal games against the former Rochester Ice Hawks. He was still the most recent Bulls player to tally four goals in a game, until Blackowiak’s feat on Friday night.
The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native has rolled up 16 points over his last eight games, vaulting him into a tie for second on this year’s North Iowa roster with 10 goals. Each of this past weekend’s games included a shorthanded goal from Blackowiak, and his second goal on Friday was also the game-winner.
It’s the third time this season, and the second time in as many weeks, that North Iowa has had a player chosen the West Division’s Star of the Week. Last week, it was Peter Verstegen, following a four-goal outburst over a weekend against the Alexandria Blizzard. Brendan Studioso was chosen as the Star of the Week after wrapping up a big weekend against Breezy Point and New Ulm in late September.
The Bulls head on the road next week to square off with the Breezy Point North Stars in their final meetings of the regular season. Game times Friday and Saturday are both 7:30 p.m., with live streaming on HockeyTV.
North Iowa returns home on Friday, November 23 as they take on the Alexandria Blizzard. It’s “Black Friday” at the North Iowa Ice Arena, with concession and merchandise specials throughout the game. It’s also the Bulls’ Military Appreciation Night, as we give thanks to those who have served our country. For advance tickets to that game or any other Bulls home contest, click here.