The race to secure Clark Cup Playoff berths is entering the home stretch. One team (the Lincoln Stars) has already clinched, while numerous others are in hotly-contested battles to grab the remaining spots.
Here’s a look at several teams that are on a roll heading into this weekend’s action.
Lincoln Stars
The Stars (34-12-1-0) became the first USHL team to punch their ticket to the post-season last weekend. They swept their three games, shutting out Omaha twice and edging the Sioux Falls Stampede 2-1.
Photo Courtesy of the Lincoln StarsLincoln currently has a five-point lead in the league standings with 15 games remaining. The club is 9-1-0-0 over their last 10 games and will take to the road for a pair of games in Fargo against the Force.
Fargo has been a problem spot for the Stars lately. The Force have won their last five games against Lincoln at Scheels Arena, including a two-game sweep last December.
However, Fargo (24-19-2-2) are hoping to bounce back after being swept in Madison against the Capitols. All-time, the Stars are 50-57-3-3 against Fargo.
Madison Capitols
Over their last 12 games, the Capitols are 11-0-1-0, and will play host to the NTDP U18 squad on Friday before paying a visit to Waterloo on Saturday.
The Capitols (29-11-3-1) swept the Fargo Force last weekend, taking last Saturday’s contest 5-2 before winding up Sunday with a 4-1 victory. Caleb Heil stopped a combined 53 of 56 shots in net over the two games.
Madison’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is at seven heading into the weekend. Wins by the Capitols and losses by NTDP count toward the magic number.
Youngstown Phantoms
Youngstown (30-15-0-1) got out the brooms against the Muskegon Lumberjacks last weekend and are 9-1-0-0 over their last 10 games. The only blemish during that stretch was a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Waterloo Black Hawks.
The Phantoms hosted the Green Bay Gamblers in their annual school day game Thursday, walking away with a 3-1 win. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot was reduced to seven following the win. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Muskegon.
Players To Watch
Landen Gunderson of the Sioux City Musketeers has eight goals and six assists in his last eight games.
Finn Brink of the Capitols is the reigning Forward of the Week after leading all USHL skaters with nine points last week.
The Black Hawks’ Dylan Compton ended last week with three points, four shots and a +1 rating to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Stars’ William Prowse registered a pair of shutouts against the Omaha Lancers last weekend, stopping 48 shots combined over the two games.
Jack Pechar also had a great weekend for Lincoln, scoring five points including a hat trick and a game-winning goal.
