Stage Set For Finals
Published on April 18, 2006 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
What a difference a year makes.
After both teams finished last in their respective divisions last season, Des Moines and Sioux Falls will clash for this year's Clark Cup championship.
Game 1 of the best-of-five finals is set for Saturday night in Des Moines (7:30 p.m.).
The Buccaneers advanced with a three-game sweep of defending Clark Cup champion Cedar Rapids. Des Moines, which swept Green Bay in the first round, holds a perfect 6-0 mark in the postseason.
Mark Magnowski's goal with 50 seconds left in regulation lifted Sioux Falls to a 4-3 victory and a 3-games-to-1 series win over Lincoln on Monday. The Stampede won its opening-round series with Tri-City, 3-2.
Des Moines is led offensively by USHL Player of the Year Trevor Lewis, who has two goals and nine assists in six games. In goal, Troy Davenport has won every game while posting a 1.49 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage.
Magnowski has led Sioux Falls' offensive attack with four goals - three of them game-winners - and six assists. Between the pipes, John Murray and Alex Kangas have combined for a 6-3 record.
Last season, Des Moines, which won its last Clark Cup championship back in 1999, finished the year with only 17 wins. The Stampede, which is making its first-ever appearance in the finals, won 27 times in 2004-05.
Both coaches were recognized for their team's dramatic turnarounds this season. Des Moines' Regg Simon was named General Manager of the Year, while Sioux Falls' Kevin Hartzell, in his first season behind the Stampede's bench, was named Coach of the Year.
The Stampede won the season series with the Buccaneers, 4 games to 1, while outscoring Des Moines 13-4. Three of those Sioux Falls' victories were shutouts.
AROUND AMERICA'S TIER 1 LEAGUE
Matt Koalska (Twin Cities Vulcans, 1999-2000) made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders on Thursday... Seven USHL players eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft have been invited to the league's annual Draft Combine: Des Moines forwards Trevor Lewis and Kyle Okposo and defenseman Jeff Petry; Green Bay defenseman Eric Gryba; Lincoln defenseman Carl Sneep; Omaha forward Ryan Turek; and Sioux Falls forward Andreas Nodl. Miami-Ohio goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (Sioux City, 2004-05) was also invited... Indiana hired Scott McConnell as a full-time assistant coach... Chicago forward Brandon Coccimiglio has committed to Mercyhurst College for the upcoming fall... Indiana named Joe Kantor its vice president of sales and marketing... Former Green Bay coach-GM Mark Osiecki (1997-2004) will serve as the U.S. Men's National Team's video coordinator. The team will compete at the World Championships May 5-21 in Riga, Latvia.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2006
- Stage Set For Finals - USHL
- Stampede Advance to Clark Cup Finals - Sioux Falls Stampede
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