Conference Finals Preview

Ryan Sikes

Men's Ice Hockey | 4/30/2026 9:56:58 AM

And then there were four.
 
After two rounds of postseason hockey, only four teams remain standing in the Clark Cup Playoffs. The Madison Capitols, Muskegon Lumberjacks, Sioux Falls Stampede, and Fargo Force have all punched their tickets to the Conference Finals.
Madison, entering as the No. 6 seed, pulled off an upset by toppling the Anderson Cup-winning Youngstown Phantoms in four games. Muskegon outlasted Dubuque in a five-game tilt, while Sioux Falls survived a five-game series against Lincoln. Fargo moved on after a four-game series win against Sioux City.
 
The Conference Finals will follow a best-of-five series with a 2-2-1 format. Games 1, 2, and 5 will be hosted by the higher seed. Home-ice advantage for the Clark Cup Final will be awarded to the team with the most regular-season points, with regulation and overtime wins serving as the primary tiebreaker.

Eastern Conference Final
#6 Madison Capitols vs. #5 Muskegon Lumberjacks

The Madison Capitols are the "Cinderella" of the bracket. They secured their spot in the finals with a gritty 2–1 victory over Youngstown in the clincher. Despite being heavily outshot, Madison relied on timely power-play scoring and outstanding goaltending in the final frame to shut down the league's top regular-season team.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks advanced via a dominant 6–1 performance against the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a decisive Game 5. After falling behind early, the Lumberjacks exploded for six unanswered goals, showing how lethal their offense can be.

Players to Watch on Madison Players to Watch on Muskegon Schedule
  • Game 1: Madison at Muskegon – Friday, May 1, 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Game 2: Madison at Muskegon – Saturday, May 2, 6:10 p.m. ET
  • Game 3: Muskegon at Madison – Friday, May 8, 7:05 p.m. CT
  • Game 4: Muskegon at Madison – Saturday, May 9, 7:05 p.m. CT*
  • Game 5:* Madison at Muskegon – Monday, May 11, 7:10 p.m. ET*
*if necessary

Western Conference Final
#2 Fargo Force vs. #1 Sioux Falls Stampede

The Sioux Falls Stampede advanced following a masterful 2–0 shutout win over the Lincoln Stars. After a scoreless first period, the Herd used a shorthanded tally to break the ice and a clinical defensive performance to keep Lincoln off the board entirely.
The Fargo Force punched their ticket in dramatic fashion, winning their clincher 3–2 in double overtime against Sioux City. Fargo showcased its resilience, coming back from an early deficit and relying on a clutch shorthanded goal in regulation before ending the marathon in Game 4. 

Players to Watch on Sioux Falls Players to Watch on Fargo Schedule
  • Game 1: Fargo at Sioux Falls – Friday, May 1, 7:05 p.m. CT
  • Game 2: Fargo at Sioux Falls – Saturday, May 2, 6:05 p.m. CT
  • Game 3: Sioux Falls at Fargo – Friday, May 8, 7:05 p.m. CT
  • Game 4:* Sioux Falls at Fargo – Saturday, May 9, 6:05 p.m. CT
  • Game 5:* Fargo at Sioux Falls – Tuesday, May 12, 7:05 p.m. CT
*if necessary
 

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).