General | 3/21/2026 9:10:36 PM
Carl Axelsson helped Muskegon take control of its postseason fate, recording his second shutout of the season as the Lumberjacks punched their ticket to the playoffs.
Muskegon 3, Madison 0
The Muskegon Lumberjacks controlled the game from start to finish in a 3–0 win over the Madison Capitols at home. Carl Axelsson was perfect in net, stopping all 22 shots he faced. Seven different Lumberjacks recorded a point, with goals from Drew Stewart, Melvin Novotny, and Rudolfs Berkalns.
Omaha 10, NTDP U17s 0
The host Omaha Lancers exploded out of the gate, scoring four goals in the opening frame, and never looked back in a 10–0 win over the NTDP U17s. Ryan Aaronson recorded a hat trick, while Kole Hyles and Yegor Kim each added two goals. Lancers netminder Nils Robert Maurins earned the shutout, stopping all 22 shots he faced.
Des Moines 5, Fargo 1
Cullen McCrate opened the scoring for the Fargo Force, but it was all Des Moines from there, as the Buccaneers skated to a 5–1 win. Des Moines scored twice in the second period and added three more in the third. Adam Zidlicky and Riley Zupfer each recorded two assists, while five different Buccaneers found the back of the net.
NTDP U18s 8, Waterloo 4
The NTDP U18s avenged their loss to the Waterloo Black Hawks from the night prior with an 8–4 win. After a 3–3 tie following the first period, NTDP pulled away with five additional goals. Wyatt Cullen and Brayden Willis each scored twice, while Carter Meyer led all skaters with three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Youngstown 4, Chicago 3
After jumping out to an early lead, the Youngstown Phantoms held off a late surge from the Chicago Steel to secure a 4–3 win. Jack Willson and Evan Jardine each scored twice for the Phantoms, while Adyn Merrick added two goals for the Steel.
Cedar Rapids 3, Tri-City 2
It took just 20 seconds for Braiden Scuderi to give the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders the lead. Jason Musa added two goals, as the Riders edged the Tri-City Storm 3–2 at the Viaero Center.
Sioux Falls 5, Sioux City 1
The Sioux Falls Stampede fired 52 shots and capitalized on three power-play opportunities in a 5–1 win over the Sioux City Musketeers. Thomas Zocco scored twice, while Brent Solomon added a goal and an assist for the Stampede. Gavin Garry scored the lone goal for the Musketeers.
Dubuque 4, Green Bay 2
The Dubuque Fighting Saints built an early 3–1 lead but had to dig in late to hold off the Green Bay Gamblers in a 4–2 win. Seven different skaters recorded a point for the Saints.
Three Stars
1st Star: Carl Axelsson, G, Muskegon LumberJacks
W, 22 Saves, Shutout
2nd Star: Carter Meyer, F, NTDP U18s
1G, 2A, + 2
3rd Star: Ryan Aaronson, F, Omaha Lancers
3G, + 3
About the USHL
The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).
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 90% 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 Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).