Several USHL games to keep close tabs on this weekend as the Sioux City Musketeers and Waterloo Black Hawks meet in a key Western Conference matchup.
Another weekend of USHL games is upon us.
First, a quick look at the standings.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints and Madison Capitols own the top two spots in the Eastern Conference. Dubuque has won six straight and eight of its last ten. Likewise, Madison has won seven straight with points in all of their last nine games. Muskegon and Chicago sit in third and fourth. Green Bay, Youngstown, Cedar Rapids, and USA Hockey NTDP follow.
Lincoln and Waterloo occupy the top two spots in the West, with both collecting points in seven of their last ten games. Fargo and Sioux City sit in third and fourth, respectively. Sioux Falls, Tri-City, Omaha, and Des Moines follow.
Let's look at the three matchups to keep close tabs on this weekend.
Waterloo Black Hawks vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Sioux City and Waterloo meet for the first time this season in a critical Western Conference battle. Just two points separate the two teams in the standings, with the Musketeers having three games in hand.
Waterloo comes into this one sporting a 4-3-1-2 record over its last ten games. The Black Hawks split their two-game series against Sioux Falls and Des Moines last weekend.
Waterloo skated to a 5-2 win over the Herd on Friday night before falling 4-1 to the Buccaneers the following night.
If you like goalie matchups, this one is for you. Waterloo's Calvin Vachon owns a 2.40 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage with one shutout in his first eight games.
Meanwhile, Sioux City's Samuel Urban was spectacular in Wednesday's win over Lincoln. The Arizona State commit turned aside 34-of-35, including a key save on Lincoln's penalty shot.
The Musketeers are riding a two-game win streak and have collected points in six of their last ten games.
It is also worth noting that Sioux City's Landen Gunderson is riding a 12-game point streak. The Western Michigan commit has amassed a league-leading 18 points during his current run.
Chicago Steel vs. Youngstown Phantoms
This matchup features a pair of teams looking to climb the standings.
The Steel have dropped seven of its last ten games and hold a one-point advantage in the standings over Youngstown despite playing in three more games.
Chicago split their two-game home-and-home series with Green Bay last weekend, with the road teams collecting wins.
Teddy Mutryn is riding a three-game goal streak. The Boston College commit has picked up his offensive game lately, registering points in four of his last five contests.
On the other side, Youngstown is looking to get back on track after being swept by the Madison Capitols last weekend.
The Phantoms have wins in just four of their last ten games but remain well-positioned in the standings. Youngstown is three points back of the Steel for fourth place, with three games in hand.
After a hot start, Adam Benak has cooled off, being held without a point in three straight games. Let's see if he can get it going again this weekend.
Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Tri-City Storm
Sioux Falls and Tri-City split their two-game series in South Dakota last month.
The Herd own a 5-4-0-0 in its last ten games but fell in their most recent matchup last Friday against Waterloo.
Sioux Falls' Ethan Wyttenbach will look to extend his eight-game point streak. The Quinnipiac commit has racked up five goals and six assists during this current stretch.
Meanwhile, Tri-City will look to find its offense on home ice. The Storm have scored just 16 goals in seven home games this year, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference.
Forward Artemi Nizameyev leads all Tri-City skaters with 12 points on six goals and six assists. The Miami (OH) commit has points in five of his last six games.
Read More
This Week In The USHL: Capitols Leaning On Leadership And Goaltending