The race for the Clark Cup is heating up, and we're down to the final four in the USHL playoffs. Conference Finals action kicks off this Friday night, promising high-stakes hockey and plenty of drama for fans and players alike.
Out West, it's a clash of the titans as the regular season's top two teams go head-to-head. The Sioux Falls Stampede, who finished with an impressive 89 points, take on the Fargo Force. The action starts in Sioux City on Friday and Saturday before shifting to Fargo for the next weekend's games.
The Stampede earned a first-round bye and then battled through a tense series against the Lincoln Stars. After splitting the first four games, they returned home for a winner-take-all Game 5. Goaltender Linards Feldbergs, a Merrimack College commit and former World Junior standout, was the hero, stopping 25 of 26 shots in Game 4 and posting a 24-save shutout in the decisive Game 5. Captain J.J. Monteiro led the offense with three goals and two assists in the series, continuing his stellar regular season where he notched 51 points in 55 games. Detroit Red Wings' 2025 fourth-round pick Brent Solomon also made his mark, scoring both goals in Game 5, including a short-handed game-winner in the 2-0 victory. The 19-year-old is headed to the University of Wisconsin next season after a 54-game campaign with 24 goals and 29 assists.
The Fargo Force, with a regular season record of 38-19-3-2, also enjoyed a first-round bye before taking on the Sioux City Musketeers in Round 2. They dispatched the Musketeers in four games, winning 4-1 and 7-4 at home before dropping a tight overtime decision in Game 3. They bounced back to clinch the series in Game 4.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the story is all about the underdogs. The fifth-seeded Muskegon Lumberjacks will host the sixth-seeded Madison Capitols this weekend before the series shifts to Madison. It's been a wild ride for both teams, and they're proving that anything can happen in the playoffs.
Whether you're cheering for a top seed or a Cinderella story, this weekend's games are must-watch hockey. Grab your favorite team's gear and get ready for some unforgettable action on the ice.