Several USHL games to keep close tabs on this weekend as the Madison Capitols aim to extend a pair of point streaks.
And we're back. Another weekend of USHL hockey is upon us.
Before we dive into the matchups, let's take a quick look at the standings.
Dubuque and Madison are the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Muskegon and Youngstown sit in third and fourth. Chicago, Green Bay, Cedar Rapids, and the NTDP follow.
In the Western Conference, Lincoln and Waterloo occupy the top two spots with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Fargo and Sioux Falls are within striking distance at third and fourth. Sioux City, Tri-City, Omaha, and Des Moines follow.
Now, what you came here for. Let's look at the three matchups to keep close tabs on this weekend.
Youngstown Phantoms vs. Madison Capitols
The Phantoms got back into the win column last week with a pair of wins on home ice against the Sioux City Musketeers.
Youngstown took a back-and-forth game on Friday before taking a lopsided affair the following night.
Ryan Rucinski (2025) has caught fire as of late. The Ohio State commit has three goals in his last five games.
Meanwhile, the Caps are riding a seven-game point streak.
Madison swept their two-game series last week, first on home ice against Cedar Rapids. Then, on the road against Green Bay the following night.
Forward Ryker Lee (2025) tallied three assists last weekend, extending his point streak to seven games.
Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Just one matchup on the weekend for Sioux Falls, but it's a big one. The Herd travel to Young Arena to face a Waterloo squad that sits just two points ahead of them in the standings.
Sioux Falls picked up a pair of wins last week and now has points in seven of their last ten games.
The Stampede used a five-goal third period to skate past Des Moines on Saturday before posting a shutout against Omaha on Sunday afternoon.
Forward Sam Spehar (2025) is riding a six-game point streak. The Denver commit has racked up three goals and seven points during that stretch.
Ethan Wyttenbach (2025) will also look to extend his seven-game point streak. The Quinnipiac commit has four goals and six assists during his current run.
On the other side, Waterloo is coming off a tough shootout loss to Dubuque.
The Black Hawks saw their two-goal lead evaporate in the third period before falling in the extra session.
Forward Brendan McMorrow is up to six goals and eight points in his first 13 games this season. Added, he has three multi-goal efforts already.
Fargo Force vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Just three points separate these two teams in the Western Conference standings.
Fargo has been red-hot lately. The Force have won five in a row and have points in eight of their last ten games.
A big reason for that has been Reid Daavettila's emergence. The Michigan Tech commit leads all USHL skaters with 15 points on five goals and ten assists.
Meanwhile, Sioux City will look to get back on track after dropping both games in Youngstown last weekend.
This is the only game for the Muskies on the weekend before another big matchup against Lincoln awaits Wednesday.
Forward Landen Gunderson has incredibly tallied points in all ten games this season, making it the longest active streak in the league.
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