As the holiday season winds down, the United States Hockey League (USHL) returns to action this weekend. All 16 teams will compete, promising an exciting slate of games to kick off the second half of the season.
Key Matchups in the USHL
Fargo Force at Sioux Falls Stampede
The most anticipated match occurs on Saturday, December 27th, at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Arena. This matchup features the top two teams in the Western Conference: Sioux Falls, currently leading with an 18-9-1 record, against second-place Fargo, holding a record of 15-10-2.
- Fargo aims to extend its 3-1 series lead against Sioux Falls this season.
- Fargo’s last game against the Stampede was a 4-0 victory a fortnight ago.
- Star forward Thomas Zocco leads Sioux Falls with 8 goals and 24 assists.
Green Bay Gamblers at Dubuque Fighting Saints
Another gripping encounter on December 27th features the Green Bay Gamblers, who are riding an impressive 11-game winning streak, facing off against the Dubuque Fighting Saints with a record of 18-8-1.
- Green Bay leads the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-7-3.
- Dubuque boasts the highest scoring record in the league with 126 goals.
- Top scorers for Green Bay include Zach Wooten (19 goals, 12 assists) and Elliott Gulley (14 goals, 17 assists).
Youngstown Phantoms at Chicago Steel
On December 27th and 28th, ninth-place Chicago (12-12-3) will host the Youngstown Phantoms (19-7-2) at the Fox Valley Ice Arena. Youngstown looks to build on its recent form, having gone 8-1-1 in its last ten games.
- Youngstown recently added defenseman Matej Teply, who recorded 2 goals and 10 assists in 27 games.
- These teams have each taken one of their previous pair of matchups earlier in the season.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at Madison Capitols
On December 28th, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (15-7-3) face off against the Madison Capitols (13-10-2) in a pivotal matchup. These teams have evenly split their four encounters so far this season.
- Cedar Rapids is currently performing well, with a 6-2-2 record in their last ten games.
- Madison will be missing goaltender Caleb Heil, who is participating in the World Junior Championship.
Lincoln Stars at Sioux Falls Stampede
Also scheduled for December 28th, the Lincoln Stars (15-12-0) will take on Sioux Falls. This game is significant for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.
- Sioux Falls ranks third in the league for penalty minutes, with Lincoln in fifth place.
- Lincoln’s Alex Pelletier is currently the league’s top scorer.
This weekend promises to ignite the USHL action as teams vie for crucial points heading into the second half of the season. Stay tuned to El-Balad for coverage of these matchups and more updates from the world of hockey.
