Dogs get to have their day (or night, in this case) in Kearney, while the Dubuque Fighting Saints could clinch a playoff berth the same night.
Here are some things to watch around the USHL this weekend.
Storm Host Pucks ‘n Paws Night
Friday night will be going to the dogs in Kearney, Nebraska.
The Storm will host the Waterloo Black Hawks on Pucks ‘n Paws Night at Viaero Center, presented by PetSmart.
Photo Courtesy of the Tri-City StormStorm fans are encouraged to bring their dogs and take in the action. Dog tickets are $2 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Kearney Area Animal Shelter. PetSmart will also be in attendance to inform fans about the many services they offer.
It doesn’t stop there. Friday is also FunZone Friday, presented by Pizza Ranch. Kids tickets are $5 with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket at all remaining home games this season.
As for the game, it will be the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the Storm and Black Hawks. Tri-City has taken two of the last three games, winning 5-4 in a shootout on Nov. 15 and 5-3 the following night at Young Arena. Waterloo captured the season’s first meeting 6-2 back on Oct. 13 in Kearney.
Nolan Roed leads the Storm offense with 52 points (24-28-52), ranking seventh among USHL skaters in points. He’s followed by Artemi Nizameyev with 46 points (23-23-46).
Waterloo is led in scoring by St. Thomas commit Kaeden Hawkins with 35 points (17-18-35). He has produced at least a point in three straight games. Teddy Townsend is tied with Hawkins in points (12-23-35).
Tri-City sits in sixth place in the USHL Western Conference at 24-22-3, 51 points). They hold a 10-point lead over the Des Moines Buccaneers for the final playoff spot in the West and have won a season-high four consecutive games.
Puck drop for Friday’s contest is set for 7:05 Pm CT.
One Number Away
The magic number for the Dubuque Fighting Saints to clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference heading into Friday is down to one. They could get in with a win vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks Friday in the first of a two-game series.
Dubuque is 33-14-0-2, good for 68 points. They are separated from Muskegon by just five points, and the two games will be the final ones between the two teams during the regular season.
The clubs split their two previous meetings in November in Muskegon. The Saints got a 3-1 victory to open the series before falling 4-3 to the Jacks Nov. 30.
The Saints are fifth in the USHL on the power-play at 24.8% this season. They have netted a power-play goal in seven consecutive games entering Friday.
The Lumberjacks have been stingy in giving up goals of late. They have allowed the fewest in the Eastern Conference. Since they last played the Saints in November, Muskegon has scored 3.67 goals per game in the last 27 contests.
Minnesota State High School Tournament Has USHL Ties
The Minnesota State High School Tournament has a rich history dating back to the first “mythical) state championship in the 1920s.
This year, 19 players across USHL rosters and protected lists are represented in the Class A and AA 2025 tournament, being held through March 8 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Minnesota is known for being a hockey hotbed, with the USHL having an established place in its heritage. Around 20 percent of USHL players come from the state of Minnesota, and over 130 Minnesota-born players have both USHL and NHL experience.
Every USHL team has at least one Minnesota High School Hockey alum rostered. More than 90 alumni have played in the league this season.