Men's Ice Hockey | 5/9/2026 9:43:34 PM

Sioux Falls Stampede 2, Fargo Force 1 (OT) | VIDEO RECAP
(Series tied 2–2)

The Sioux Falls Stampede kept its season alive in Fargo on Saturday night, defeating the Force 2–1 in overtime to even the series. The victory forced a winner-take-all Game 5 in the Western Conference Final on Tuesday. it was the second straight overtime game between the teams after the Force won in triple overtime on Friday night. 

Fargo jumped out to an early lead at 6:38 of the first period when Arseni Marchenko found the back of the net off a wrist shot from above the right-wing circle. Despite being outshot 20–12, the Force took a 1–0 lead into the locker room after the opening 20 minutes.

The Stampede broke through late in the second period. Noah Mannausau netted his first of the postseason at 16:09, burying a second-chance opportunity after his initial shot was turned aside. After a scoreless third period, Fargo and Sioux Falls headed to overtime for the second consecutive night.

In the extra session, Thomas Zocco delivered the game-winning goal at 12:04, burying a wrister from the high slot to tie the series.

Linards Feldbergs was spectacular for the Stampede, turning aside 48 shots on goal to help keep the Herd’s season alive.

Muskegon Lumberjacks 4, Madison Capitols 1 | VIDEO RECAP
(Series tied 2–2)

The Muskegon Lumberjacks dominated the second period on Saturday night to defeat the Madison Capitols 4–1, evening the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece. The series will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Monday.

After a scoreless first period, Muskegon’s offense exploded in the second. Drew Stewart opened the scoring off a centering feed at 7:51, followed quickly by a Carter Amico slap shot at 11:47 to double the lead. The Lumberjacks extended the lead to 3–0 before the intermission when Carter Sanderson capitalized on a power play at 14:59.

Madison broke the shutout late in the third period when Jackson Nevers scored at 17:36 to cut the lead to two. However, the Capitols' comeback bid fell short just moments later. Nathan Larioza iced the game for the ‘Jacks with an empty-netter at 18:29, ensuring the series would head back to Muskegon for the finale.

Carl Axelsson picked up the win in net for Muskegon, turning aside 19 of 20 shots.

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 nine 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).