USHL Clark Cup Playoffs: Matchup Breakdown And Players To Watch In Conference Finals
Which teams are poised to advance in the Conference Final round of the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs? A closer look at each matchup and players to keep tabs on.
The USHL Clark Cup Playoffs come down to four teams in the Conference Finals.
The Muskegon Lumberjacks and Dubuque Fighting Saints will square off in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Final. If you recall, the Saints knocked off the ‘Jacks last season to advance to the Clark Cup Final. In this year’s installment, Muskegon will be looking to return the favor.
Schedule
Game 1: Muskegon Lumberjacks at Dubuque Fighting Saints – Friday, April 25, 7:05 p.m. CT
Game 2: Muskegon Lumberjacks at Dubuque Fighting Saints – Saturday, April 26, 7:05 p.m. CT
Game 3: Dubuque Fighting Saints at Muskegon Lumberjacks – Tuesday, April 29, 7:10 p.m. ET
Game 4: Dubuque Fighting Saints at Muskegon Lumberjacks – Wednesday, April 30, 7:10 p.m. ET*
Game 5: Muskegon Lumberjacks at Dubuque Fighting Saints – Saturday, May 3, 7:05 p.m. CT*
On the other side, the Lincoln Stars and Waterloo Black Hawks meet in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, albeit the first in the Conference Final. Last year, the Stars swept the Black Hawks in three games to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Waterloo will look to secure its spot in the Clark Cup Final for the first time since 2014.
Schedule
Game 1: Waterloo Black Hawks at Lincoln Stars – Friday, April 25, 7:05 p.m. CT
Game 2: Waterloo Black Hawks at Lincoln Stars – Saturday, April 26, 6:05 p.m. CT
Game 3: Lincoln Stars at Waterloo Black Hawks – Wednesday, April 30, 6:35 p.m. CT
Game 4: Lincoln Stars at Waterloo Black Hawks – Thursday, May 1, 6:35 p.m. CT*
Game 5: Waterloo Black Hawks at Lincoln Stars – Saturday, May 3, 6:05 p.m. CT*
*If necessary
#4 Muskegon vs. #2 Dubuque
The Lumberjacks and Fighting Saints split their four-game series during the regular season, with each team capturing a win on the road. Dubuque earned a 3-1 victory in Michigan at the end of November, while Muskegon captured a 4-3 win in Iowa in early March.
How Muskegon Got Here
Muskegon used a four-goal first period to top Cedar Rapids in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the first round of the playoffs. Four different skaters found the back of the net in that game for the Jacks, including David Deputy, who leads all USHL skaters with six goals in this postseason.
In the second round, the Lumberjacks made quick work of the No. 1-seed Youngstown Phantoms, sweeping the series in three games to return to the Eastern Conference Final. Muskegon outscored Youngstown 16-8 in the series.
How Dubuque Got Here
With a first-round bye week secured, Dubuque awaited the winner of Madison and Green Bay. The Caps claimed a 3-0 win in Game 1. However, the Saints stormed back with three straight wins to claim the series. In Games 2-4, Dubuque outscored Madison 16-4.
Cole Spicer has been an offensive catalyst for the Fighting Saints. The forward recorded two goals on six shots and five points in the final three games of the series.
Who To Watch On Muskegon
Tynan Lawrence: 5 G, 4 A, 9 P
David Deputy: 6 G, 2 A, 8 P
Ivan Ryabkin: 3 G, 4 A, 7 P
Jack Galanek: 2 G, 5 A, 7 P
Xavier Veilleux: 1 G, 4 A, 5 P
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev: 2.33 GAA, .929 SV%
Who To Watch On Dubuque
Lucas Van Vliet: 2 G, 4 A, 6 P
Matthew Desiderio: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
Cole Spicer: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
Michael Barron: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
Colin Frank: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
Liam Beerman: 1.26 GAA, .951 SV%
#3 Waterloo vs. #1 Lincoln
Hello, old friend. We meet again. Lincoln took three of four games during the regular season, including a win at Young Arena at the end of November. However, two of those games required overtime, perhaps foreshadowing how close this series might be.
How Waterloo Got Here
Of course, Waterloo is no stranger to overtime. The Black Hawks punched their ticket to the Western Conference Final in double overtime against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Brendan McMorrow potted the game-winning wrister early in the extra session.
The Denver commit has been a big-timer performer for Waterloo in this postseason run. McMorrow has five goals and nine points in six games, including two goals and three points during the first-round matchup against Tri-City. In that series, Waterloo swept the Storm in two games.
How Lincoln Got Here
Similar to Dubuque, Lincoln had a first-round bye. However, the Stars showed no signs of rust in their matchup against Sioux City. Lincoln outscored the Musketeers 11-5 in their three-game sweep.
Yan Shostak, who made five starts in the postseason for Lincoln last year, was outstanding against a high-power Sioux City squad. The St. Cloud commit stopped a combined 57-of-62, good for a .919 SV%, and included a 17-save shutout in Game 3.
Who To Watch On Waterloo
Brendan McMorrow: 5 G, 4 A, 9 P
Dylan Compton: 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
Hunter Ramos: 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
Kaeden Hawkins: 4 G, 1 A, 5 P
Chase Jette: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P
Carter Casey: 2.52 GAA, .919 SV%
Who To Watch On Lincoln
Hunter Anderson: 1 G, 3 A, 4 P
Bruno Idzan: 3 G, 0 A, 3 P
Layne Loomer: 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
Jack Pechar: 0 G, 3 A, 3 P
Matt Maltais: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
Yan Shostak: 1.67 GAA, .919 SV%