WATERLOO - A two-month process to build the Waterloo Black Hawks' 2008-09 roster will continue into fall camp.

Four days of intense, physical tryouts ended Sunday at Young Arena with an all-star game and a round of tough, painful cuts.

More than 90 hopeful candidates arrived in Waterloo on Thursday to begin camp after surviving one of two initial camps - one in Spooner, Wis., the Black Hawks off-season home, and another in Philadelphia.

"I told the remaining players (Saturday) and (Sunday), this is the best talent we've had at a camp, and the hardest decisions I've ever had to experience," Black Hawks coach P.K. O'Handley said.

The cut process was so difficult that O'Handley is expecting to carry 27 players into the preseason to get another look before dwindling his roster to 23 players prior to the start of the United States Hockey League season.

"Our head scout (Mas Fukushima) said we've never argued or debated over players like we have this year," O'Handley said. "With that said, I'm sure we might have made some mistakes. We just don't have enough pucks or places to go around."

Draft pick Eriah Hayes had a goal and an assist, while protected player Tyler Barnes, who played in one game with the Black Hawks last year, had two assists as Matt Fornataro and Brett Olson's White Squad beat Joe Pavelski's Black Squad, 5-2, in the all-star game.

Complicating Sunday's process was three players who are expected to make the final roster didn't participate in the camp.

Forward Nick Larson was participating in a Calgary Flames preseason camp (he was the Flames' fifth-round choice in June).

Notre Dame recruit and rookie Kevin Nugent is recuperating from off-season surgery, while veteran forward Mike Fink participated in a limited capacity early in the camp before bowing out because of injury.

"We feel very positive as we sit here in July that we have the makings of a good hockey team," O'Handley said. "There are a lot of other factors that go into winning, but the talent is there for certain."

O'Handley expects to release his 27-man roster early this week. He's waiting to hear back from one or two players who still have high school eligibility left.

The Black Hawks staff left Sunday for Spooner. It is hosting a pro camp at the Northwest Sports Complex.

Next weekend at Young Arena, Pavelski will headline the Black Hawks' hockey school and within 30 days. players will start reporting.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

Black 1 0 1 - 2

White 2 2 1 - 5

FIRST PERIOD - 1. White, Kyle De Laurell (Tyler Barnes), 8:53; 2. Black, Jacob Rudd (Peter DeAngelo), 9:38; 3. White, Eriah Hayes (Patrick Wey), 11:31. Penalties - Nick Nagel, Black (high sticking), 2:03; Barnes, White (goalie interference), 12:43; Zach Troutman, Black (tripping), 21:53.

SECOND PERIOD - 4. White, Brett Beebe (unassisted), 2:03; 5. White, Aaron Pietila (Hayes, JT Brown), 4:30. Penalties - Beebe, White (slashing), 6:10; Craig Smith, Black (tripping), 7:50; Chris Student, White (tripping), 15:26; Ryan Hill, White (tripping), 20:35; Lee Moffie, Wat (hooking), 21:19.

THIRD PERIOD - 6. Black, Smith (Andrew Hewett), 7:59; 7. White, George Huhges (Keegan Meuer, Barnes), 17:20. Penalties - Smith, Black (tripping), :32; Max Gaede, Black (hooking), 4:21; Ryan Hill, White (fighting), 9:35; Angelo Vrachnas, Black (fighting), 9:35.

Goalies

Black - Mike Shibrowski (1 goal allowed), Parker Milner (4 goals allowed). White, Dan Sullivan (1 goal allowed), Joe Howe (1 goal allowed).