The 2024 Clark Cup Finals get underway on Friday between the Fargo Force and Dubuque Fighting Saints. Here are five things to keep close tabs on.
The 2024 Clark Cup Finals get underway on Friday between the Fargo Force and Dubuque Fighting Saints. Here are five things to keep close tabs on.
Goaltending Battle
As it should be, the 2024 Clark Cup Finals will feature arguably the two best goaltenders in the USHL.
Fargo's Hampton Slukynsky was named USHL Goaltender of the Year on Thursday after leading the league in wins (28), goals-against average (1.86), save percentage (0.923), and shutouts (5).
Conversely, Dubuque's Kevin Reidler has been lights out in the postseason, going 6-1 with a 1.23 goals-against average and 0.951 save percentage with three shutouts.
Specials Teams
The top two power-play units could play a deciding factor in the series' outcome. Fargo clicked at a 31.2% rate during the regular season and connected on 5-of-17 (29.4%) of its power-play chances in the playoffs.
Dubuque converted at a 31.5% rate during the regular season but have scored just three power-play goals on 26 chances (11.5%) in the postseason thus far. The Fighting Saints have yet to rely on their power play thus far in the playoffs, though. Still, it is something to monitor.
Road Warriors
Playing away from ImOn Arena has not been a problem for Dubuque this year. During the regular season, the Fighting Saints went an Eastern Conference-leading 22-7-1-1 on the road.
The Fighting Saints are a perfect 3-0 in the postseason, outscoring their opponents 8-1. While it was a one-game sample size, Dubuque collected an overtime win at Scheels Arena back in November.
Rest Vs. Rust
The early stages of Friday's Game 1 should reveal if Dubuque needs to shake off any rust. The Fighting Saints have not played in eight days since sweeping Muskegon in the Eastern Conference Finals. Fargo last played on Sunday on home ice.
Depth Scoring
The Fargo Force and Dubuque Fighting Saints have plenty of star power, but the most impressive thing is each team's depth. That is why both teams reached the finals.
Mac Swanson headlines the Force and has 12 points in eight playoff games. However, 16 different skaters have registered at least two points in the postseason for Fargo thus far. Meanwhile, Dubuque features similar numbers. Juraj Pekarcik leads all Fighting Saints skaters with seven points in the playoffs, but 17 different skaters have multiple points.
Game 1 between the Fargo Force and Dubuque Fighting Saints is set for a 7:05 p.m. CST puck drop on Friday.
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