The 2026 Clark Cup Finals will pit the Sioux Falls Stampede against the Muskegon Lumberjacks in a clash of the United States Hockey League’s top two teams. Both clubs have fought through grueling conference finals to earn the right to battle for the championship, setting the stage for a series that could extend to a decisive fifth game.
Series Overview
Game 1 is slated for Friday, May 15, at 7:05 p.m. Central Time in Sioux Falls, followed by Game 2 on Saturday, May 16, at 6:05 p.m. CT. The action then shifts to Muskegon, where Game 3 will be played on Friday, May 22, at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time and Game 4 on Saturday, May 23, at 6:10 p.m. ET. If the series reaches a Game 5, it will return to Sioux Falls on Tuesday, May 26, at 7:05 p.m. CT.
Both teams have demonstrated balanced offensive and defensive capabilities throughout the playoffs. Sioux Falls has averaged 3.20 goals per game while allowing 2.40, whereas Muskegon boasts a slightly higher scoring average of 3.67 goals per game and a stingier 2.33 goals against. Special teams also play a pivotal role, with Muskegon converting 31.0 percent of its power‑play opportunities and maintaining a 90.6 percent penalty‑kill success rate.
Key contributors for Muskegon include forwards Drew Stewart, Melvin Novotny, Viktor Nörringer, and Carl Axelsson, each of whom has been instrumental in the team’s offensive output. The Stampede rely on a different set of standouts: J.J. Monteiro, Logan Renkowski, Thomas Zocco, and Linards Feldbergs, who have combined to drive the team’s momentum in the postseason.
The upcoming finals promise a high‑stakes narrative, as Sioux Falls returns to the championship round for the first time since 2019, while Muskegon looks to defend its recent success after reaching the finals a year ago. Fans on both sides will be watching closely as the series unfolds, with every power play, penalty kill, and goaltending performance potentially shaping the ultimate outcome.