USHL Power Poll

by Mike Wallin
Published on October 18, 2004 under United States Hockey League (USHL)

The United States Hockey League is in full swing as all eleven teams have a month of games under their belts. While the Western Division appears to be the stronger of the two divisions, the East boasts the only team without a regulation loss.

This power-poll takes into consideration overall record, home and away records, last week and strength of most recent opponents.

1. Sioux Falls (5-1, 10pts)---After losing to Waterloo in their opener, the Stampede have won five straight. Tom Gorowski, the top selection in the 2004 USHL Entry Draft, leads Sioux Falls with 9Pts, (5G-4A). Sioux Falls has killed off an amazing 42 of 43 man-advantages. A big week is in store as Lincoln comes to town Thursday, followed by a showdown in Omaha on Friday before the Stampede concludes the week on Saturday versus Tri-City.

2. Cedar Rapids (4-0-1, 9pts)---The lone team in the league without a regulation loss. The Roughriders won a big Eastern Division game versus Indiana, in a shoot-out, last Sunday. Cedar Rapids has a great opportunity to stay at the top of the Eastern Division with a home and home match up against Chicago followed by a visit from Des Moines.

3. Lincoln (5-1-1, 11pts)---Big road wins over Chicago and Green Bay jettisoned the Stars to the top of the Western Division. Jared Boll scored three goals in the two contests and leads Lincoln with five on the season. The week ahead features a trip to Sioux Falls before home games against Tri-City and Sioux City.

4. Omaha (5-2, 10 pts)---The potent offensive arsenal led by Trevor Smith 14Pts, (7G-7A), Brock Bradford 12Pts, (5G-7A), Corey Carlson 11Pts, (3G-8A) and Ted Cook 7Pts, (5G-2A) makes the Lancers dangerous. Omaha leads the USHL with 12 power play goals. Jeff Lerg has already won five games in goal and has looked fantastic with a 1.93 GAA. The Lancers will try to avenge an earlier loss to Sioux Falls at home on Friday before visiting Waterloo on Saturday.

5. Indiana Ice (4-2-1, 9pts)---After starting the season with three road games, the Ice skated on home ice the last four games going 3-0-1. Indiana has been tough against rival Eastern Division foes with a 4-0-1 record. The Ice will try to keep pace with Cedar Rapids this week as they play a home-and-home schedule with Green Bay.

6. Sioux City (3-1-2, 8pts)---The Musketeers played just once this past week, dropping a spirited 3-2 overtime decision against Sioux Falls. Consistent netminding by Jimmy Spratt and Jeff Zatkoff has been the key to a good start for Sioux City. This week, the Musketeers host Tri-City and Waterloo before a big showdown on Saturday night in Lincoln.

7. Waterloo (2-2-1, 5pts)---The defending champs have played the fewest games of any team in the USHL. With first year players Corey Quirk and Drew O'Connell on board, as well as eleven returnees from the championship team, Waterloo will have to be reckoned with. O'Connell is 2-0 in net with a .946 saves percentage. The Black Hawks have a difficult weekend ahead with visits to Sioux City and Des Moines and a home game against Omaha.

8. Chicago (3-6, 6pts)---The Steel avoided a disastrous week by defeating Des Moines on Sunday behind a 47 save performance by Shane Connelly. Chicago is just 1-4 at home, a record that must improve. A big test awaits the Steel as a home-and-home series against Cedar Rapids begins on Friday night.

9. Tri-City (3-4, 6 pts)---Tri-City was shut-out in both contests this past week and has scored just one goal in the past three games. Hey Storm, where's the offense? Things may not get any better with visits to Sioux City, Lincoln and Sioux Falls scheduled for this upcoming weekend.

10. Des Moines (1-4-2, 4pts)---The Buccaneers are a young team and it shows. This team will get better! Pat Watson keeps the Bucs in every game and with Chad Rau, Patrick Borgestad and Matt Greer, the offense should come to life. Des Moines hosts Waterloo on Saturday before traveling to Cedar Rapids on Sunday.

11. Green Bay (1-5, 2pts)---Just 12 goals for and 28 against! Blake Wheeler, the Phoenix Coyotes first-round selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, does have four goals in six games. Problem is, the rest of the Gamblers have just eight. Green Bay's chance of getting back into the Eastern Division race begins this Friday night with a home and home against Indiana.

United States Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2004

• USHL Power Poll - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
• Stampede win streak hits five - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Election Night this Friday at Ice game - Indiana Ice

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.