The 2026 Clark Cup Final pits the Muskegon Lumberjacks against the Sioux Falls Stampede, with the series shifting to Muskegon for Game 3 on Friday, May 22. The contest will be played at Trinity Health Arena, a venue that has become a focal point for fans of both programs as they await the next chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 2015.
Between the pipes, the Lumberjacks rely on Carl Axelsson, whose 2.10 goals‑against average and .911 save percentage reflect a solid, if not spectacular, performance, while the Stampede’s Linards Feldbergs boasts a sharper 1.79 goals‑against average and a .941 save percentage that has helped him keep the Sioux Falls attack at bay.
Offensively, Muskegon’s depth shines through players such as Drew Stewart, Rudolfs Berzkalns and Carter Sanderson, who together account for three of the top five scorers in the playoff run, giving the Lumberjacks a balanced attack.
The Stampede, meanwhile, have been firing on all cylinders, averaging 43.3 shots per game in the postseason, a testament to their relentless pressure and ability to generate chances from multiple angles.
Goalie Duel
The contrasting styles of the two net‑minders add an extra layer of intrigue. Axelsson’s experience and steady presence contrast with Feldbergs’ youthful vigor and high save rate, setting up a classic duel that could swing momentum in either direction.
Historically, the two clubs have met only once in a Clark Cup Final, when Sioux Falls swept Muskegon 3‑0 in 2015. That memory fuels the Stampede’s confidence, while the Lumberjacks hope to rewrite the narrative with a comeback that leverages their offensive firepower.
With both teams carrying distinct strengths — Muskegon’s offensive firepower and Sioux Falls’s disciplined defense and shot volume — the outcome of Game 3 could hinge on which side can impose its style on the contest and force a return to Sioux Falls for a potential Game 4.