MUSKEGON, MI – After an exciting Conference Finals round in the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs, the stage is set for the Eastern Conference Champion Muskegon Lumberjacks and Western Conference Champion Sioux Falls Stampede to battle for the Clark Cup in a best-of-five championship series.
The Lumberjacks and Stampede last met in the Clark Cup Final in 2015, when the Herd captured the second championship in franchise history. Sioux Falls enters the series chasing their fourth Clark Cup title, while Muskegon looks to repeat as champions after winning the Clark Cup for the first time last season.
Series Preview: This Ones for All the Marbles
The 2026 Clark Cup Final brings together two teams with plenty of history as the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Sioux Falls Stampede battle for the USHL's top prize. While both clubs reached the championship series, they took very different paths to get there.
Muskegon entered the holiday break in first place before sliding down the standings late in the season, ultimately beginning the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Sioux Falls, meanwhile, controlled the Western Conference throughout the regular season and secured the top seed with a comfortable lead.
The playoff journeys, however, were remarkably similar. After sweeping Cedar Rapids in the opening round, the Lumberjacks were pushed to the limit in back-to-back five-game series against Dubuque and Madison. Sioux Falls earned a first-round bye as the top seed but also survived a pair of five-game battles, defeating Lincoln and Fargo in rounds two and three.
The interconference matchup featured only two regular-season meetings between Muskegon and Sioux Falls, both played during a weekend series in Sioux Falls, with each team earning a victory.
The Stampede claimed the opener on Friday, January 9, by a 7-4 score. Cooper Soller and Brock Schultz each scored twice, while Joey Macrina added a goal and two assists as part of a balanced Sioux Falls attack. For Muskegon,
Chuck Blanchard (West Hartford, CT) scored two goals in the loss.
The following night, the Lumberjacks responded with a 5-3 victory. Blanchard again scored twice, while
Drew Stewart (Minnetonka, MN) posted a three-point performance with two goals and an assist. Goaltender
Carl Axelsson (Danderyd, SWE) was outstanding, stopping 54 of 57 shots to earn the win.
With only two meetings between the teams, both coming months ago, preparation and pre-scouting will play a major role heading into the series. Establishing a strong start and quickly adapting to each opponent's systems could prove to be the difference in deciding the 2026 Clark Cup champion.
Keys to the Series
- Act like you've been there, because you have
The memory of the 2025 Clark Cup Championship is still fresh throughout the Lumberjacks organization. While the focus remains on the task at hand, that experience provides a valuable advantage, understanding the pressure, the atmosphere, and what it takes to win on this stage.
- Protect Your Goalie
Both Muskegon and Sioux Falls made life difficult on opposing goaltenders during the Conference Finals by creating heavy traffic and constant pressure around the net. Limiting second chances, clearing rebounds, and reducing shot volume will be key to giving your goalie the best opportunity to succeed.
- Enjoy the Moment
Playing for the Clark Cup is an experience few players ever get the chance to have. Enjoy the atmosphere, feed off the crowd's energy, and use the excitement of the moment as motivation in the pursuit of a championship.
Over the Airwaves
FloHockey is the official live stream partner of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Follow along all season long on FloHockey, or with a free internet radio feed available on Mixlr and the Lumberjacks Hockey Network presented by Gray Supply Corp, with Voice of the Jacks,
Ezra Gennello.
Thirty minutes to puck drop every game day, tune into the Pregame Show on Facebook Live. New for this season, the whole pregame show will be available on FloHockey before all Lumberjacks home games.
Eastern Conference Finals Schedule
Game One | Fri. May 15 | 8:05 pm ET | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center | Sioux falls, SD
Game Two | Sat. May 16 | 7:05 pm ET | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center | Sioux falls, SD
Game Three | Fri. May 22 | 7:00 pm ET | Trinity Health Arena | Muskegon, MI
Game Four | Sat. May 23 | 6:00 pm ET | Trinity Health Arena | Muskegon, MI*
Game Five | Tue. May 26 | 8:05 pm ET | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center | Sioux falls, SD*
*If Necessary
Follow the Jacks
Be sure to follow the Muskegon Lumberjacks on social media!
Facebook - Muskegon Lumberjacks
Twitter - @MuskegonJacks
Instagram - @muskegonjacks
TikTok – @muskegonlumberjacks
About the Muskegon Lumberjacks
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The club's goal is to create an environment where student-athletes develop into successful young men, both on and off the ice, including playing the game the right way, maintaining their academic focus in the classroom, and staying actively involved in the West Michigan community. The organization is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and top-notch family entertainment while serving as positive role models for the youth and local community.
