Then there were four.

The 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals wrapped up on Friday evening, with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Green Bay Gamblers playing in a decisive Game 5. The contest ended in dramatic fashion with Muskegon grabbing the win in double overtime to advance.

In the West, both Fargo and Sioux City won their respective series fairly quickly. The No. 1-seed Fargo Force swept the Tri-City Storm in three games and won every game by two goals. The Force return to the Conference Finals for the second consecutive season. 

Meanwhile, the Musketeers, who dropped Game 1 in the semifinal matchup against Lincoln and won the next three, are back in the Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons.

Out East, the Dubuque Fighting Saints knocked off the defending Clark Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms in four games. Like Sioux City, the Saints dropped Game 1 before roaring back with three straight wins, including two shutouts by goaltender Kevin Reidler (OTT).

The Muskegon Lumberjacks took the series win in double overtime against the Green Bay Gamblers. The Jacks erased a two-goal deficit in the third period before winning in the extra session.

Where To Watch The 2024 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs

All games during the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs will stream exclusively on FloHockey. Sign up today to get access to every game live and on demand. Sign up here.

What Teams Made The USHL Clark Cup Conference Finals?

• Fargo Force
• Sioux City Musketeers
• Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Muskegon Lumberjacks

Western Conference Final

No. 2 Sioux City Musketeers Vs. No. 1 Fargo Force

The top two seeds in the Western Conference clash for a right to play in the Clark Cup championship game. 

Sioux City punched its ticket to the Conference Finals in dramatic fashion, with defenseman Ty Hanson potting the overtime-winner to end the series. What stood out to me in the Musketeers’ series with Lincoln was their balanced scoring attack.

Fargo also has plenty of depth, and the Force made quick work of Tri-City in the conference semifinals. The Anderson Cup Trophy winners received contributions from all over the lineup, including five different skaters finding the back of the net in the series-clincher.

Added, the Force won seven of the eight meetings between the two teams in the regular season.

Players To Watch

Sioux City: Ty Hanson

Hanson has turned it up a notch in the postseason, recording two goals in Sioux City’s series with Lincoln. The Minnesota Duluth commit recorded two goals and four points while registering eight shots on goal from the blueline.

Fargo: Mac Swanson (2024)

Swanson’s abilities were on full display against the Storm, racking up seven points en route to a clean sweep. The North Dakota commit tallied multi-point efforts in all three games and accumulated eight points in eight games against Sioux City during the regular season.

Sioux City Musketeers Vs. Fargo Force Playoffs Schedule

• Game 1: Sunday, April 28, Sioux City at Fargo, 5:05 p.m. CST                      
• Game 2: Monday, April 29, Sioux City at Fargo, 7:05 p.m. CST                    
• Game 3: Thursday, May 2, Fargo at Sioux City, 7:05 p.m. CST                     
• Game 4 (if necessary): Friday, May 3, Fargo at Sioux City, 7:05 p.m. CST            
• Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, May 5, Sioux City at Fargo, 5:05 p.m. CST

Sioux City Vs. Fargo Series Predictions

Fargo in 4.

Eastern Conference Final

No. 2 Muskegon Lumberjacks Vs. No. 1 Dubuque Fighting Saints

The Lumberjacks advanced to the Eastern Conference Final in thrilling fashion. Trailing 3-1 entering the third period in Game 5, Joe Connor tallied the equalizer with just 66 seconds left in regulation. Muskegon will have their hands full against a Dubuque squad that won four of the five regular-season meetings.

The Fighting Saints had the benefit of some extra rest after wrapping up their series with the defending Clark Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms. Dubuque outscored the Jacks 27-12 in the regular season, tallying five goals in three of the five matchups.

Players To Watch

Muskegon: Joe Connor

Connor’s draft stock has continued to rise as the season has progressed. The Northeastern commit was recently ranked as a fourth-round projection in Central Scouting’s final rankings. He was held to just one point (an assist) against the Saints in the regular season. Look for him to make some noise.

Dubuque: Kevin Reidler (OTT)

Every championship run is led by a hot goaltender, and Reidler is heating up for Dubuque. The Ottawa Senators draft pick earned shutouts in two of the three wins in the Conference Semifinals. Added, Reidler played well in his only meeting against the Jacks during the regular season, stopping 37 of 38 shots on goal.

Muskegon Lumberjacks vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints Playoffs Schedule

• Game 1: Sunday, April 28, Muskegon at Dubuque, 5:05 p.m. CST               
• Game 2: Monday, April 29, Muskegon at Dubuque, 7:05 p.m CST              
• Game 3: Thursday, May 2, Dubuque at Muskegon, 7:10 p.m. EST                           
• Game 4 (if necessary): Friday, May 3, Dubuque at Muskegon, 7:10 p.m. EST
• Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, May 5, Muskegon at Dubuque, 5:05 p.m. CST

Muskegon vs. Dubuque Series Predictions

Dubuque in 4.

What Is The Format Of The USHL Clark Cup Playoffs?

The Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and Clark Cup Final will consist of best-of-five series, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2, and 5.

What NHL Draft Prospects Will Be Playing In The Clark Cup Conference Finals?

Based on NHL Central Scouting's most recent 2024 NHL Draft rankings, these are some of the top players expected to be participating in the 2024 Clark Cup Conference Finals.

• Mac Swanson, Fargo Force
• Jake Fisher, Fargo Force
• Hagen Burrows, Sioux City Musketeers
• Kaden Shahan, Sioux City Musketeers
• Sacha Boisvert, Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Matvei Gridin, Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Xavier Veilleux, Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Joe Connor, Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Jake Sondreal, Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Joona Vaisanen, Dubuque Fighting Saints

What NHL Prospects Will be Playing In The USHL Clark Cup Conference Finals?

Many players already drafted by NHL teams will be participating in the USHL's Clark Cup Playoffs this season. Here's a brief list of some of the more notable prospects set to appear in the finals.

• Juraj Pekarcik, Dubuque Fighting Saints (St. Louis Blues)
• Zam Plante, Fargo Force (Pittsburgh Penguins)
• Beckett Hendrickson, Dubuque Fighting Saints (Boston Bruins)
• Hampton Slukynsky, Fargo Force (Los Angeles Kings)
• Kevin Reidler, Dubuque Fighting Saints (Ottawa Senators)

NHL Draft 2024 Coverage On FloHockey 

Don’t miss the latest NHL Draft coverage on FloHockey.

• 2024 NHL Draft Rankings From Chris Peters
• Trevor Connelly Under Microscope In 2024 NHL Draft Season
• Talking Hockey Sense: 2024 NHL Draft Prospects Rising And Falling; Listener Q&A

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