USHL United States Hockey League

USHL power poll

by Mike Wallin
Published on November 8, 2004 under United States Hockey League (USHL)


The Western Division of the USHL continues to dominate the Power Poll. Western Division teams are a combined 22-6 versus Eastern Division teams and four of the West's five teams all have better records than Cedar Rapids, the top team in the East. Omaha recaptures the Power Poll's top spot, while Sioux Falls and Sioux City is knocking on the Lancers door.

1) Omaha---The Lancers have the rest of the USHL taking notice after beating Cedar Rapids and Lincoln. This team is proving that they have the depth to compete for a title. Bradford, Smith, Carlson, Miller, LoVecchio and Cook are lighting up the scoreboard with regularity. In net, Jeff Lerg is already 9-2 with an impressive 1.96 GAA and a .922 Save Percentage. Omaha hosts Sioux City before traveling to Waterloo and Sioux Falls.

2) Sioux Falls—3-0-1 in their last four games has helped the Stampede jump from Third to Second in the Power Poll. Sioux Falls regrouped, after a late game meltdown in Des Moines, to polish off Waterloo 6-1. Justin Milo scored a hat-trick in the win. The Stampede has the offense to compete with Omaha and the rest of the West. Can Greg Barrett and the Sioux Falls defense hold up in their own end? The Stampede plays at home versus Green Bay and Omaha this weekend.

3) Sioux City—The Musketeers are red hot, winners of five straight games. Against Des Moines, Sioux City showed character by battling back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Jimmy Spratt is one of the USHL's best in net and will keep the Musketeers in every game. He is 7-1-1 on the year and has not given up more than four goals in a game. Sioux City travels to Omaha and Lincoln this week with a home game against Green Bay sandwiched in between.

4) Lincoln---Losers of three straight one-goal games, the Stars are searching for offense from anyone besides Jarret Boll and Mick Berge. Lincoln will host Sioux City and Des Moines this week, which is good news considering the Stars is 5-1-1 on home ice.

5) Cedar Rapids---The biggest drop in this week's Power Poll comes from Cedar Rapids. After sitting in the penthouse last week, the RoughRiders fall all the way to Fifth. Cedar Rapids lost the big showdown game at Omaha 6-4 and collapsed at Tri-City 5-1. Cedar Rapids managed just 19 shots against Omaha and a paltry 16 versus Tri-City. Still, the Riders hold down first place in the East with a big game at Indiana looming. Cedar Rapids will also play in Des Moines this week before beginning a four game home stand beginning Saturday with Green Bay.

6) Indiana---The Ice continue to reside in the Power Poll's Sixth spot after yet another .500 week. Indiana laid an egg in a 5-2 home loss versus Chicago before dominating Green Bay 3-1. The Ice is 7-3-1 against Eastern Division foes, however they are just 0-1-1 against Cedar Rapids. Indiana can take sole possession of first place in the East with a home win against the RoughRiders on Tuesday. Indiana travels to Tri-City for a pair of games this weekend.

7) Tri-City---Unfortunately for the Storm, they reside in the Western Division. Tri-City is 4-2 versus the East including an impressive 5-1 win over Cedar Rapids last week. The Storm must improve on their 2-5-1 Western Divisional record or they will be relegated to playing spoilers. Tri-City plays a pair of home games against Indiana this weekend.

8) Chicago---The Steel move up from number Ten in the Power Poll after impressive wins at Indiana and against Green Bay. Billy Sauer won both games in net and is now 5-4 on the year. Chicago's power play continues to struggle as the Steel rank last in the USHL, scoring just 8 goals on 87 man-advantages. The Steel will play a home-and-home against Waterloo this week.

9) Green Bay---Patience remains the name of the game in Green Bay. The Gamblers are showing signs of making progress, but it's going to take some time. Yes, Blake Wheeler is for real and Mark Stockdale is a fine player, but there is little offense after these two. Billy Smith has four goals, all on the power play, but he is on the sidelines with an injury. Takeaway Smith's four man-advantage scores and Green Bay would have just three. It's a tough week ahead for the Gamblers with three road games at Sioux City, Sioux Falls and Cedar Rapids.

10) Waterloo—The defending champs are playing like anything but champs. Waterloo has lost four in a row and has scored just six goals in their last five games. With just 24 goals on the year, it's a good thing the Black Hawks play in the Eastern Division. Up next for Waterloo is a home encounter against Omaha before a home-and-home versus Chicago.

11) Des Moines—Another week in the basement for the Buccaneers. Des Moines still hasn't won a road game and they have just two wins overall. The Bucs battled back for a big overtime win against Sioux Falls, but let one slip away the next night in Sioux City. Des Moines hosts Cedar Rapids and travels to Lincoln this weekend.

Check out the United States Hockey League Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2004


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central