USHL 2023-2024 Thread

[GindyDraws]

Omaha sure was a nightmare destination so it makes sense they stink.

 

[JMCx4]

Omaha sure was a nightmare destination so it makes sense they stink.

I fail to see the nightmare in it. I'd rather be destined for Omaha than Fargo or Sioux Falls or Kearney (Tri-City) Nebraska. Junior hockey is NOT for the faint of heart, either as a player or a coach or a fan.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The United States Hockey League > News

USHL Notes | Feb. 13, 2024

Carlson closing in on career coaching wins record; Fargo continues as a model of consistency

Model of Consistency: League-leading Fargo picked up a win in its only game last week in extending its winning streak to five games.

The Force, who enter this week’s action boasting a 34-5-2-0 record, have racked up 70 points for the season and in addition to owning a large edge over the team with the second-best record in the USHL (Dubuque is 26-9-3-3), own a 14-point lead over second-place Sioux City (25-12-6-0) in the Western Conference standings.

The Force have allowed the fewest goals in the league (87) and have scored more goals (192) than any other team. Fargo continues to lead the league on the penalty kill with an 84.1 mark (14 power play goals allowed in a league-low 88 opponent chances) and have moved into the top of the heap in terms of power play percentage (33.3). Fargo leads the league with a 38.17 shots on goal per game average and its 22.10 shots allowed per game is a league low. ...

#CarlyWatch: Cedar Rapids head coach Mark Carlson's career record with the RoughRiders entering this week stands at 781-586-138.

Carlson, who has stood behind the bench at Cedar Rapids since the 1999-2000 season, ranks only behind P.K. O’Handley’s 783 victories in terms of most career coaching wins in the USHL. O’Handley served as head coach of the North Iowa Huskies from 1991-98 and the Waterloo Black Hawks from 2002-21. ...

Overhead Cam: Tri-City netminder Cameron Korpi leads the league in games (32), minutes (1,898), wins (19), ranks second in saves (761) and is sixth in goals against average (2.91). The Michigan commit, who’s in his third season in the USHL, has gone 3-0-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .918 save percentage in his last three games.

Read more at: USHL Notes | Feb. 13, 2024

 

[JMCx4]

From: The Rink Live > Juniors and Prospects

Fargo's dominant season continues with an early playoff berth, but the Force aren't satisfied yet

Fargo is closing in on another Anderson Cup and potentially the USHL's single-season win record. However, the Force want to finish the regular season strong and have their eyes on a bigger prize

by Jordan McAlpine
February 21, 2024 at 7:04 PM

FARGO — Plenty can change between now and the end of the USHL regular season, which is still roughly two months away.

As the calendar has reached the back half of February, the USHL trade deadline is quickly approaching and teams are gearing up for a second-half push. And although everyone has their eyes on a deep playoff run and hoisting the Clark Cup, teams aren’t looking too far ahead yet.

However, it’ll be hard to keep the playoffs out of the conversation in Fargo this week, as the Force are the USHL’s first team to clinch a playoff spot. ...




Read more at: Fargo's dominant season continues with an early playoff berth, but the Force aren't satisfied yet | The Rink Live

 

[JMCx4]

From: FloHockey.tv

2023-24 USHL Power Rankings (March 5, 2024)

Updated 1d ago by Ryan Sikes

1. Fargo Force / Last Ranking: 1​

Record: 39-7-2-0

Fargo suffered a rare two-game sweep at home over the weekend against Sioux Falls.

Brandon Svoboda (SJS) has three goals in five games since being acquired from Youngstown.

Hampton Slukynsky (LAK) saw his six-game win streak end Friday.

The Force need to win nine of their final 12 games to match the USHL’s single-season record for wins (48), previously established by Des Moines during the 1998-1999 campaign.

2. Dubuque Fighting Saints / Last Ranking: 2​

Record: 32-10-3-3

The Saints took care of business at the Covelli Centre this weekend with a two-game sweep of the Youngstown Phantoms to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jake Sondreal potted a goal and tallied an assist. He now has 61 points on the season, good for second in the league.

With his 3-0 shutout win Saturday, Kevin Reidler (OTT) extended his win streak to seven games.

3. Sioux City Musketeers / Last Ranking: 3​

Record: 28-16-6-0

The Muskies rebounded from a 6-1 loss Friday with a 6-5 shootout win the following night.

Kaden Shahan scored twice Saturday, and his 34 goals are the most among USHL skaters.

Brian Nicholas snapped a four-game streak without a point, tallying a three-point effort on Saturday. ...


Read more at:

USHL Power Rankings

Despite two rare losses at home, Fargo was able to maintain the top spot in the rankings.

www.flohockey.tv

 

[JMCx4]

2024 USHL Clark Cup Semis start on Friday, in case anyone is interested. Waterloo, Sioux Falls, Chicago & Madison were eliminated in the first round best-of-3 play-ins ...

Bracket Set for 2024 Clark Cup Conference Semifinals

General | 4/17/2024 11:23:31 PM
For Immediate Release | April 17, 2024
USHL News | 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs

2024 Clark Cup Conference Semifinals Start Friday

Matchups for the United States Hockey League Conference Semifinals have been determined following the conclusion of the first round of the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs.

In Western Conference action, the Anderson Cup Champion Fargo Force host the #4-seed Tri-City, while second-seeded Sioux City hosts #6-seed Lincoln.

#1 Fargo vs. #4 Tri-City (Fargo Force win series 3-0)​

Game 1: Tri-City 1 at Fargo 3 ...
Game 2: Tri-City 1 at Fargo 3 ...
Game 3: Fargo 5 at Tri-City 3 ...
Game 4*: Fargo at Tri-City (Thursday, April 25 at 7:05 p.m. CST)
ETA: "With respect to player safety ..." Game 5*: Tri-City at Fargo (Friday, April 26 at 7:05 p.m. CST) (Sunday, April 28 at 5:05 p.m. Central)

#2 Sioux City vs. #6 Lincoln (Sioux City Musketeers win series 3-0)​

Game 1: Sioux City 3 at Lincoln 2 ...
Game 2: Sioux City 3 at Lincoln 1 ...
Game 3: Lincoln 2 at Sioux City 3 (OT) ...
Game 4*: Lincoln at Sioux City (Tuesday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. CST)
Game 5*: Lincoln at Sioux City (Thursday, April 25 at 7:05 p.m. CST)


In the Eastern Conference, the Dubuque Fighting Saints host the #4-seed Youngstown, while second-seeded Muskegon hosts the #3-seed Green Bay.

#1 Dubuque vs #4 Youngstown (Dubuque Fighting Saints win series 3-1)

Game 1: Youngstown 2 at Dubuque 0 ...
Game 2: Youngstown 0 at Dubuque 6 ...
Game 3: Dubuque 2 at Youngstown 1 (OT) ...
Game 4 ...: Dubuque 2 at Youngstown 0 ...
Game 5*: Youngstown at Dubuque (Friday, April 26 at 7:05 p.m. CST)

#2 Muskegon vs. #3 Green Bay (Series tied 2-2)​

Game 1: Green Bay 4 at Muskegon 3 ...
Game 2: Green Bay 1 at Muskegon 4 ...
Game 3: Muskegon 2 at Green Bay 0 ...
Game 4...: Muskegon 1 at Green Bay 2 ...
Game 5...: Green Bay 3 at Muskegon 4 (2OT) ...

*if necessary

Conference semifinals winners will square off in each conference’s championship finals to determine which teams play in the 2024 Clark Cup Final. The last two rounds of the 2024 Clark Cup playoffs (conference finals and final) are both best-of-five series.

2024 Clark Cup Playoffs Dates​

April 27-May 9: (best of five) USHL Conference Finals​

May 10-22: (best of five) USHL Clark Cup Final​

(exact game dates dependent on matchup and building availability)

Be sure to check USHL.com for the latest news on Clark Cup Playoffs matchups and schedule.

 

[JMCx4]

Lincoln hosting Sioux City tonight in the only USHL Clark Cup Playoffs Round 2 game. The Musketeers are the higher seed, but the series had to start in Nebraska because of the age-old "the circus is in town" conflict in Sioux City.

 

[JMCx4]

Fargo sweeps Tri-City to advance & play Sioux City in the Western Conference Finals.

Dubuque eliminates Youngstown, and await the winner of Green Bay vs. Muskegon who will play Game #5 in Michigan on Friday night.

I'll update with results the Clark Cup Playoffs schedule post above at my earliest opportunity.

 

[JMCx4]

My opportunity came earlier than anticipated ... see 2024 USHL Semifinals series statuses & final scores (with links to game reports from various sources) in THIS POST above.

The Western Finals schedule has been released by Sioux City. The Eastern Finals matchup will be decided by Friday night's Game #5 in Muskegon. All but one game in the semis has been very competitive (the exception was the Game #2 6-0 victory of DBQ over Y'town), so I expect the rest of the Clark Cup playoff games will be worth watching on FloHockey.tv.

 

[JMCx4]

The Lumberjacks score late in the 3rd on the extra skater push to take their Game 5 to OT in Muskegon. Bonus playoff hockey keeps the concession dollars flowing.

ETA: Make that a 4th intermission. PA announcer is splitting the crowd into concession & team store purchase lines.

 

[JMCx4]

The Muskegon Lumberjacks fill the last spot in the 2024 USHL Clark Cup Semifinals Conference Finals round, with a 4-3 Game #5 OT2 victory in Muskegon. Schedules to follow.

 

[JMCx4]

From the USHL Playoff Tracker ...

Western Conference Final
#1 Fargo vs. #2 Sioux City ... Force wins series 3-2
Game 1: Sunday, April 28, Sioux City at Fargo, 5:05 p.m. CST ... FARGO 3 - Sioux City 1
Game 2: Monday, April 29, Sioux City at Fargo, 7:05 p.m. CST ... SIOUX CITY 4 - Fargo 1
Game 3: Thursday, May 2, Fargo at Sioux City, 7:05 p.m. CST ... Fargo 2 - SIOUX CITY 5
Game 4 ...: Friday, May 3, Fargo at Sioux City, 7:05 p.m. CST ... FARGO 5 - Sioux City 0
Game 5 ...: Sunday, May 5, Sioux City at Fargo, 5:05 p.m. CST ... Sioux City 0 - FARGO 4

Eastern Conference Final
#1 Dubuque vs. #2 Muskegon ... Fighting Saints sweep series 3-0
Game 1: Sunday, April 28, Muskegon at Dubuque, 5:05 p.m. CST ... Muskegon 3 - DUBUQUE 4 (1OT)

Game 2: Monday, April 29, Muskegon at Dubuque, 7:05 p.m CST ... Muskegon 3 - DUBUQUE 4
Game 3: Thursday, May 2, Dubuque at Muskegon, 7:10 p.m. EST ... DUBUQUE 4 - Muskegon 0
Game 4*: Friday, May 3, Dubuque at Muskegon, 7:10 p.m. EST
Game 5*: Sunday, May 5, Muskegon at Dubuque, 5:05 p.m. CST

 

[JMCx4]

Fargo & Dubuque win their respective Game #1 matches in the Conference Finals on Friday night. Tracking in the post above.

 

[JMCx4]

In Fargo on Monday night the Musketeers went up 2-1 deep into the 3rd period, then scored a pair of ENGs in the closing minute to tie the Western Conference Finals series 1-1.

Meanwhile in Dubuque the Fighting Saints took a 4-0 lead in the first 22 minutes, only to allow 3 Muskegon tallies to make things interesting. DBQ held on to take a 2-0 series advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals.

 

[JMCx4]

USHL Conference Finals resume Thursday night (5/2), with Thursday/Friday/Sunday schedules for each conference in accordance with the League Playoff Tracker.

 

[JMCx4]

Dubuque sweeps Muskegon in the East with a 4-0 shutout Thursday night. Now the Saints get on the bus for home, and wait for the West winner.

 

[JMCx4]

Sioux City wins Western Conference Finals Game 3 on home ice, 5-2 over Fargo. Musketeers now lead the series 2-1, Game 4 in Iowa on Friday night.

 

[JMCx4]

Game 4 was all Fargo all night long. Final score in Sioux City = Force 5 - Musketeers 0. Game 5 will be played back in North Dakota on Sunday, to determine which Western Conference team will face the rested Fighting Saints for the 2024 Clark Cup Championship series.

 

[JMCx4]

Sioux City pulled their goalie with 7 minutes left in Game 5, but all that did was encourage the Force to extend their lead to 4-0. That's the final score in the final game of the series, Fargo moves on to the Clark Cup championship round vs. the Dubuque Fighting Saints starting on Friday night.

Stick taps to Northern Michigan U commit Hampton Slukynsky, who recorded his second straight shutout of the Western Conference Finals series.

 

[JMCx4]

League Playoff Championship schedule released ...

Clark Cup Final
#1 Fargo vs. #1 Dubuque ... Fargo wins the championship series 3-1
Game 1: Dubuque at Fargo (Friday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. CST) ... Dubuque 1 - FARGO 3
Game 2: Dubuque at Fargo (Saturday, May 11 at 6:05 p.m. CST) ... Dubuque 3 - FARGO 6
Game 3: Fargo at Dubuque (Friday, May 17 at 7:05 p.m. CST) ... Fargo 1 - DUBUQUE 3
Game 4 ...: Fargo at Dubuque (Saturday, May 18 at 7:05 p.m. CST) ... FARGO 3 - Dubuque 1
Game 5*: Dubuque at Fargo (Tuesday, May 21 at 7:05 p.m. CST)
*if necessary

 

[Dakota Sioux]

Force had a scare from Sioux City. Should bode them well going to the Clark Cup finals. Hope to make game 1 in Fargo

 

[JMCx4]

Fargo vs. Dubuque tonight to begin Clark Cup championship play.

 

[JMCx4]

End of 20 minutes (plus stoppages & media timeouts) in Fargo, Force 2 - Fighting Saints 0. Fargo scored on their first shot, and have not let up since. DBQ especially having trouble exiting their own end with much speed. Saints will have to kill half of a 2-minute penalty to start the 2nd.

 

[JMCx4]

Dubuque cuts the Fargo lead in half late in the 2nd, 2-1 Force heading to the 2nd intermission.

 

[JMCx4]

Dubuque pulled their goalie with just under 3 minutes left, but Fargo ended the visitors' chances on an ENG with 39 seconds remaining. Final score in Clark Cup Finals Game 1 = Force 3-Saints 1. Game 2 on Saturday night in N. Dakota.