The USHL playoff field is set and the Clark Cup pursuit begins next Monday. All 16 teams will play two games this weekend, putting a bow on the 2024-25 regular-season campaign.

Although all 12 playoff spots are clinched, the order remains undecided in both conferences, and there’s a number of storylines to follow heading into this weekend.

Here’s a look at the Clark Cup Playoff picture.

Eastern Conference

• Youngstown (40-18-0-2, 82 points)
• Madison (38-17-4-1, 81 points)
• Dubuque (39-18-1-2, 81 points)
• Muskegon (36-16-4-4, 80 points)
• Green Bay (27-29-2-2, 58 points)
• Cedar Rapids (26-29-2-3, 57 points)

Western Conference

• Lincoln (43-15-2, 88 points)
• Sioux Falls (39-16-3-2, 83 points)
• Waterloo (32-18-6-4, 74 points)
• Sioux City (31-22-3-4, 69 points)
• Fargo (28-26-4-2, 62 points)
• Tri-City (28-28-3-1, 60 points)

Stars Clinch The Anderson

For the fourth time in franchise history, the Lincoln Stars have won the Anderson Cup. Lincoln defeated Madison in overtime Saturday night, 4-3, and will celebrate its regular-season title on Friday at the Ice Box.

The Stars sit atop the league with 88 points and have guaranteed home ice throughout the playoffs. Lincoln has scored a USHL-best 266 goals, allowed a USHL-best 161 and has four players with 50 or more points: Jack Pechar (59), Daniel Shlaine (55), Dashel Oliver (53) and Gio Digiulian (51).

Gridlock Out East

While Green Bay and Cedar Rapids battle for the fifth seed, the top four spots are still wide open in the Eastern Conference, putting a top seed and a pair of first-round byes up for grabs. 

Youngstown currently leads the way with 82 points and carries a seven-game point streak (6-0-1) into this weekend. The Phantoms play a pair of games against the NTDP U17’s and control their own destiny.

Despite earning just one point against Lincoln, Madison remains second and currently holds the tiebreaker over Dubuque. Both teams have 81 points but will square off on Friday in Dubuque. The Capitols have never finished higher than fifth in the standings and follow up Friday’s game with a home finale against Green Bay.

Dubuque dropped its last two home contests but is 7-2-1 over its past 10 at Im On Arena, and the Fighting Saints are 3-0-0 against Madison. Evan Dixon’s squad is looking to earn a bye and home ice, and they’ll have the opportunity to do so. The Fighting Saints will host Cedar Rapids on Saturday as well. Dubuque finished atop the conference last season and has extended its playoff streak to 14 seasons.

Although they’re currently fourth in the conference, Muskegon is right in the mix too – just two points behind Youngstown.

The Lumberjacks fell to Waterloo on Sunday but are 7-3-0 over their past 10. They’ll have a golden opportunity to earn some points too, as Muskegon plays last-place Chicago in a home-and-home. The Lumerbacks are 3-1-0 against the Steel this season.

Home Ice Locked In

While the order of those four teams remains undecided, Youngstown, Madison, Dubuque and Muskegon have officially clinched home ice in some form or fashion. The top two seeds for the second round and seeds three and four for round one.

The top four teams in the Western Conference have been decided too. Lincoln and Sioux Falls have secured a first-round bye and home ice in the quarterfinals, while Waterloo and Sioux City will host in the first round. However, their opponents are yet to be determined, as Fargo and Tri-City are separated by just two points.