General | 12/12/2025 8:00:00 AM

Ryan Sikes previews the matchups to watch heading into the last weekend of United States Hockey League (USHL) play before a 13-day holiday break. 

Dubuque Fighting Saints vs. Lincoln Stars

Dubuque looks to get things turned around with a 5-4-1-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record in its last ten games and now seven points back of first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Teddy Merrill enters this weekend with  goals in three of his last four games. The Arizona State commit has 13 goals and 26 points on the season. Meanwhile, goaltender Vojtech Hambalek has split decisions in his last four outings and owns a 3.05 goals-against average in 17 appearances on the year.

On the other side, don’t look now, but the Lincoln Stars have surged to second place in the West after a slow start. The Stars have gone 8-2-0-0 in their last ten games and come into this weekend after consecutive wins. Layne Loomer has been on a heater as of late, accumulating six goals and 14 points in his last six games. Likewise, goaltender William Prowse has picked up wins in eight of his last nine outings to pair with a 2.16 goals-against average on the year.

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Sioux Falls Stampede

The RoughRiders dropped two of three this past weekend, including an overtime affair on Friday night. However, Cedar Rapids has collected points in eight of its last ten games. Forward Jason Musa has quietly been a significant point producer this year, coming into the weekend with points in each of his last three games. Ryan Cameron has 11 wins in 16 appearances paired with a 2.93 goals-against average, good for 11th among USHL goaltenders, though he’s away with the U.S. team at the World Jr. A Challenge.

On the other side, Sioux Falls will look to stay atop the Western Conference standings. The Herd dropped a midweek game to Lincoln but still owns an 8-2-0-0 record in its last ten games. Logan Renkowski has been a big reason for that. The Vermont commit has goals in six of his last seven games and 18 overall on the year, which are the second-most in the league. Likewise, Thomas Zocco is riding a five-game point streak and has 32 points on the season overall, which are the fourth-most in the league.

Muskegon Lumberjacks vs. Tri-City Storm

Muskegon sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, but would like to extend their lead. The ‘Jacks have gone 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games and enter the weekend with a five-game winning streak. That streak has coincided with Tynan Lawrence returning to the lineup, as the Boston University commit has points in all seven games, a stretch that includes three multi-point efforts. Just as good, goaltender Carl Axelsson has picked up wins in 10 of his last 11 outings to go along with a 2.12 goals-against average on the year overall, fourth-best in the league.

On the other side, Tri-City sits fourth in the West standings, despite a 2-6-2-0 record in its last ten games. Mason Jenson has been a solid player for the Storm this season, having collected points in three of his last four games and 11 points in 26 games overall. Goaltender Michal Pradel has been a workhorse in net, making a league-leading 21 appearances and owning a 2.71 goals-against average this year. The Tri-City netminder will have his hands full against a Muskegon team that averages almost four goals a game.

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading 16–to 20-year-old junior hockey league. During the 2024-25 season, USHL alumni held over 50% of NCAA Division I roster spots, and over 25% of NHL players had USHL experience. With 10 first-round selections and 49 total picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, the USHL has developed the most draft choices of any junior hockey league since 2012.

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 92% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel), Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm), Adam Fantilli (Chicago Steel) and Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede).