Sioux Falls Hopes To Continue Winning Ways Against Struggling Capitols
The Sioux Fall Stampede close out a six-game homestand with a two-game series this weekend against the Madison Capitols.
It’s a battle of two teams going in different directions. The Stampede have won all five of their contests since coming back from the USHL holiday break and are 9-1-0 over their last 10 games. Their 21-6-1-1 record (44 points) has them on top of the Western Conference standings.
The Capitols, meanwhile, have dropped five straight and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference at 16-9-2-1 (35 points). They are 4-5-1 over their last 10 games.
Sioux Falls is coming off a sweep of the Chicago Steel last weekend, including a 3-2 win on Saturday despite being outshot 36-21.
Aiden Wright has been stellar in net for the Herd, sporting a 13-3-1 record heading into Friday’s action with a 2.34 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
The Wake Forest, N.C. native earned USHL Goaltender of the Week honors after finishing last week with a perfect 3-0-0 mark. He has started all five games since the break, posting a .908 save percentage during that span.
John McNelis leads the Stampede in goals with 12, while Ethan Wyttenbach leads in assists (18). The rookie also leads the USHL in points with 29.
Sioux Falls received another honor last week when head coach Ryan Cruthers was named head coach of Team White at the Chipotle All-American Game Jan. 16 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.
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The five-game losing streak for the Capitols is their longest of the season and one shy of last season’s six-game skid in February 2024.
Madison was swept in a two-game home-and-home series against the Green Bay Gamblers last weekend despite scoring nine goals over the two games.
The team does have some bright spots, however. Every active skater on the roster has scored this season. Madison has a total of 15 skaters with 10 or more points, tops in the league. In 2023-24, the club had 19 skaters reach double digits in points.
The Capitols are playing their first Western Conference opponent since November. They split a two-game series against the Stampede last March.
Bobby Cowan leads the Capitols with 13 goals, while Ryker Lee tops the club in assists with 14.
Two players, Egor Barabanov and Caleb Heil, will face their former club after coming to the Capitols in a trade.
The Stampede have two special nights planned for this weekend’s series. Friday is Hockey Moms Night, presented by the Diamond Room. The club will honor the contributions of hockey moms throughout the community. Saturday is Hockey Day South Dakota, featuring three youth games at the Premier Center.
Puck drop for Friday’s game is set for 7:05 Pm CT, with Saturday’s contest scheduled for 6:05 Pm CT.
