General | 12/5/2025 8:17:14 AM
Looking at the top matchups in the USHL for games Dec. 5-7.
Youngstown Phantoms vs. Tri-City Storm
If you like the color purple, this American Cup matchup is for you. Youngstown comes into the weekend with points in eight of its last ten games, including five straight. The Phantoms are just two points back of first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Cooper Simpson has points in 11 straight games, a run that has seen the North Dakota commit rack up seven goals and 11 assists. Meanwhile, Tobias Trejbal has won his last four appearances, while owning a 2.17 goals-against average, the fifth-best mark among goaltenders.
On the other side, Tri-City is in a difficult stretch, having dropped nine of its last ten games, including four straight. The Storm currently sit in fifth place in the West, but only one point back of Des Moines. Mason Jenson has goals in back-to-back games and has ten points in 24 games overall. Meanwhile, Detroit Red Wings prospects Michael Pradel, though he’s dropped three straight contests, still owns a 2.80 goals-against average.
Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Madison Capitols
Sioux Falls has put together a 7-3-0-0 record over their last ten contests and is riding a two-game win streak. The Herd occupies first place in the Western Conference standings. Forward Thomas Zocco has recorded points in five of his last six games and now sits at 24 points overall. In goal, Linards Feldbergs recently saw his four-game win streak end, but he remains one of the league’s most dependable netminders with a 2.40 goals-against average, the sixth best in the USHL.
The Madison Capitols have earned points in eight straight games and put together a 6-2-0-2 mark over their last ten. They currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Gavin Uhlenkamp, who is riding a three-game point streak, has 17 points in 19 games this season.
Fargo Force vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks
Fargo enters the weekend having gone 6-4-0-0 in their last ten games. The Force are currently in second place in the Western Conference standings, just two points back of first place. Western Michigan commit Luke McNamara has been a key offensive force (pun intended), recording points in four consecutive games. Goaltender Ajay White continues to anchor the goaltending room with a league-leading 1.82 goals-against average.
Meanwhile, Muskegon is riding a hot streak, winning seven of its last ten and entering this contest on a three-game win streak. Buffalo Sabres draft pick Melvin Novotny leads the charge with 28 points in 23 games this season, including points in four of his last five outings. Goaltender Carl Axelsson has been nearly flawless, suffering just one loss in his last nine appearances and maintaining a 2.13 goals-against average, the fourth-best in the league.
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).