Men's Ice Hockey | 5/14/2026 7:21:51 AM

And then there were two.

The 2026 Clark Cup Finals are set and will feature the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Herd are back in the Finals for the first time since 2019 and seeking the organization's fourth league title. 
Meanwhile, the 'Jacks are back in the Finals for the second consecutive year after capturing the organization's first Clark Cup last season.

#1 Sioux Falls Stampede vs. #5 Muskegon Lumberjacks

Sioux Falls advanced to the Clark Cup Finals after taking a decisive Game 5 victory over Fargo in the Western Conference Final. Through the playoffs, the Herd have averaged 3.20 goals per game while surrendering an average of 2.40. 

On the other side, Muskegon finds themselves in a familiar spot after taking Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Madison Capitols. The Lumberjacks have been an offensive juggernaut in the postseason thus far, averaging 3.67 goals per game while giving up an average of just 2.33 goals per contest. 

Both teams feature highly lethal power plays, with Muskegon and Sioux Falls converting at a 31.0% and 25.0% clip in the playoffs, respectively. The Lumberjacks are operating at a 90.6% clip on the penalty kill. 

Players to Watch: Muskegon

• Drew Stewart: 7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points, +11
• Melvin Novotny: 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 points
• Viktor Nörringer: 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, +2
• Carl Axelsson: 8-4-0 record, 2.10 GAA, .906 SV%

Players to Watch: Sioux Falls

• J.J. Monteiro: 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points, +5
• Logan Renkowski: 7 goals, 0 assists, 7 points, +1
• Thomas Zocco: 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, +3
• Linards Feldbergs: 6-1-3 record, 2.02 GAA, .932 SV%

Schedule

• Game 1: #5 Muskegon at #1 Sioux Falls – Friday, May 15, 7:05 p.m. CT
• Game 2: #5 Muskegon at #1 Sioux Falls – Saturday, May 16, 6:05 p.m. CT
• Game 3: #1 Sioux Falls at #5 Muskegon – Friday, May 22, 7:10 p.m. ET
• Game 4: #1 Sioux Falls at #5 Muskegon – Saturday, May 23, 6:10 p.m. ET*
• Game 5: #5 Muskegon at #1 Sioux Falls – Tuesday, May 26, 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 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).