Looking at several of the top-performing players in the first round of the 2024 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs
The USHL's vision statement since 2022 has been "Our Stars Rise." In the first round of the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs, that can be taken quite literally.
Lincoln Stars netminder Yan Shostak was, in a word, incredible for the team. The St. Cloud commit stopped 79 of 80 shots on goal in two games. Added to that, Shostak had a 40-save shutout performance in Game 1 against the Waterloo Black Hawks.
Let's look at several other players who shined in the first round.
Jake Rozzi, F, Tri-City Storm
Rozzi has been a catalyst for Tri-City's offense since being acquired from Madison. The Ohio State commit had a tremendous showing in the first round, recording six points (3-3-6) in the three-game series against Sioux Falls. Added, his hat trick in Game 1 was just the third postseason hat trick in franchise history.
Artemi Nizameyev, F, Tri-City Storm
Rozzi's moment in the spotlight was short-lived as Nizameyev tallied a hat trick of his own in Game 3, becoming the fourth player in franchise history with three goals in a postseason game. Nizameyev also recorded the primary assist on August Falloon's game-tying goal in the third period of Game 2.
Max Nagel, F, Madison Capitols
Despite only playing in three games, Nagel had one of the best postseason showings. The Colgate commit had multi-goal efforts in Games 1 and 3 and opened the scoring for Madison in Game 2. Overall, Nagel finished with five goals and nine shots on goal.
Nolan Roed, F, Tri-City Storm
Another Tri-City player? That's right. With Trevor Connelly not playing, the Storm collectively stepped up as a group, and Roed was a big piece of that as well. The 18-year-old finished with five points in three games. He recorded a three-point (1-2-3) effort in Game 1 and two goals in Tri-City's series-clinching Game 3 win on Wednesday.
Hunter Anderson, F, Sioux Falls Stampede
Anderson quietly finished with 14 points in 20 games after being traded to Sioux Falls in the regular season. The Denver commit carried that success into the postseason, recording points in all three games, including a two-goal effort in Game 3. Overall, Anderson finished with five points (3-2-5) in the first round.
Adam Pietila, F, Youngstown Phantoms
With Game 2 tied at 2-2, Pietila put Youngstown on his back, recording a natural hat trick to keep the Phantoms' season alive. What's interesting is how scored all three goals: the first was a redirection on a shot from the point, the second was a wrister from the slot, and the third was an empty-netter.
Louka Cloutier, G, Chicago Steel
Cloutier sat on the ice in disbelief as the Gamblers celebrated their overtime win in Game 3. The Chicago Steel netminder played about as well as anyone could have asked. Cloutier stopped 72 of 77 shots on goal in the two games he played, including 33 of 35 in Game 2, to keep Chicago's season alive.
Aidan Park, F, Green Bay Gamblers
What a way to make your presence felt. Park joined the Gamblers for Game 1 of the series after his season at Shattuck St. Mary's ended. He played on Green Bay's top line in Game 3 and was rewarded in overtime, tucking the puck past Cloutier with under four minutes left in the extra session. The goal helped the Gamblers clinch their first playoff series win in 12 years.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Borgula (Sioux Falls), Christopher Delaney (Madison), Owen Beckner (Tri-City), Gavin Moffatt (Green Bay), Charlie Major (Chicago), Ryan Rucinski (Youngstown)