Stage Set for All-Nebraska Final
With three of the four remaining teams in the Clark Cup Playoffs hailing from Nebraska, the stage could be set for the first all-Nebraska Clark Cup Final.
#1 LINCOLN STARS VS. #7 TRI-CITY STORM
One year ago, the surprising Twin Cities Vulcans, a sixth place finisher during the regular season, found themselves down two games to none in their best-of-five United States Hockey League semi-final series against the Anderson Cup champion Lincoln Stars.
A week later, the Vulcans were off to the Clark Cup after winning the final three games of the series.
To the Stars, it does not matter the Vulcans have moved 550 miles to Kearney, Neb., where they are now known as the Tri-City Storm. Regardless of the team name, Lincoln knows they are facing the franchise that ended their 2000 playoff drive prematurely, and the chance to avenge last year's loss has finally arrived.
In the Stars' program, virtually every veteran said losing to Twin Cities in the playoffs was their most embarrassing moment. Those veterans will get their chance to help erase that memory in the second round, and on paper, they should be successful.
There is little question each team has had ample opportunity to scout the opponent. Because of a quirk in scheduling, as well as a makeup game originally scheduled for early November, the Nebraska rivals faced each other five times between Feb. 20 and Mar. 17. If the series goes the full five games, the two squads will have faced off ten times in less than two months, which could create a very interesting series.
For Tri-City to pull off yet another upset, they will need stellar goaltending from starter Bernd Bruckler. The native of Graz, Austria, posted a 2.09 goals against average and an impressive 93.9 save percentage in the first-round victory over Green Bay. Since joining the Storm in mid-season, Bruckler has been one of the league's top goaltenders.
Bruckler's job won't be easy in this round, however, as the Stars feature one of the league's most potent offensive attacks. The Stars outscored Sioux City 16-6 in a first-round sweep, and Lincoln's 246 regular season goals was the league's second-highest total. While Brandon Bochenski (47 goals, 33 assists, 80 points in the regular season) and Chris Fournier (26-57-83) get most of the attention, the Stars' balanced attack goes four lines deep. In the first round, defenseman Andy Schneider led the Stars with six points in three games.
Leading the way for the Storm will be Konrad Reeder (34-24-58) and Brad Thompson (19-28-47). Although Tri-City may be unable to match Lincoln's offensive numbers, they will have the help of an enthusiastic first-year crowd for their two home games. Tickets for the games in Kearney sold out minutes after going on sale Monday morning, leaving many frustrated fans standing in line outside the arena as well as many more who were unable to obtain a phone line. Regardless, the atmosphere in Tri-City Friday night could actually match the atmosphere at Lincoln's Ice Box, generally considered the loudest building in the league.
What Lincoln must do to win:
-- Maintain a killer instinct. The Stars rolled over the Vulcans in games one and two last year, only to let the Vulcans back in the series. Losing momentum should not be a problem this time, however, as the Stars appear very focused on their goal of winning the Triple Crown.
-- Continue getting production from all four lines. If all four lines contribute, the Storm will not be able to match Lincoln's depth.
What Tri-City must do to win:
-- Play with the same passion as they did a year ago. Last year, the Vulcans seemed to be on a mission to leave Minnesota as winners. Coach Jim Hillman is one of the best motivators in the league, and that cannot be discounted in the playoffs.
-- Get spectacular goaltending from Bruckler. No goaltender has been able to shut down the Stars night in and night out. However, if Bruckler can do just that, Tri-City has a chance.
PREDICTION: This year, it is the Stars that are on a mission, as they hope to avenge last year's surprising second-round loss. While the excitement in the Tri-City area will certainly help the Storm on home ice, do not forget that the atmosphere in Lincoln is just as intimidating. Tri-City has a great shot at winning game two, the first game in Kearney, but look for Lincoln to win the next two. Stars in four.
#3 SIOUX FALLS STAMPEDE VS. #4 OMAHA LANCERS
It has taken the Sioux Falls Stampede just two seasons to establish themselves as perennial contenders in the USHL.
After an expansion season that saw the Stampede finish second behind the Lincoln Stars during the regular season, Sioux Falls again finished second behind the same Lincoln Stars in their second season.
However, there's one key difference for the Stampede. Instead of being swept in the first round, as they were in the spring of 2000, Sioux Falls looked impressive in round one, defeating the Cedar Rapids Roughriders three games to one.
The tougher test will come in the second round. Sioux Falls will face the red-hot Omaha Lancers, who cruised past the Des Moines Buccaneers in a first round sweep, outscoring Des Moines 16-3 in the process.
As with any successful playoff team, goaltending has been a key for the Lancers. Starter Ray Fraser posted a 1.00 goals against average and an astonishing 96.4 save percentage in the first round.
Against the high-flying Stampede, good goaltending is a must. The Stampede posted a league-high 267 goals in the regular season before outscoring Cedar Rapids 24-11 in four first round games. In the first round, Mike Doyle (2-7-9), Tyler Scott (1-7-8), Dave Iannazzo (4-3-7), Thomas Vanek (3-4-7), and James Massen (4-1-5) all posted more than a point per game. Add that production to the blueline play of USHL Defenseman of the Year Jamie Mattie, and the Stampede are a formidable opponent.
However, the Lancers bring just as much to the table. Omaha was very impressive in the first round, and several players posted impressive three game totals, including Dan Welch (2-7-9), Riley Riddell (2-3-5), and Keith Ballard (1-4-5).
Adding to the Lancers' incentive is the assurance of an all-Nebraska Clark Cup if Omaha wins this series. With Nebraska rivals Lincoln and Tri-City battling in the other semi-final, a Lancer win would set up the first all-Nebraska Clark Cup in USHL history.
What Sioux Falls must do to win:
-- Continue their torrid offensive pace. If the game turns into a defensive battle, the Lancers appear to have the edge, as Omaha allowed the second-fewest goals of any team during the regular season.
-- Capitalize on the power play. With a potent offense, the Stampede get many of their goals with the man advantage. Since the playoffs tend to bring fewer power plays than the regular season, Sioux Falls needs to make the most of every chance.
What Omaha must do to win:
-- Continue to get solid goaltending from Fraser. Fraser has established himself as one of the league's elite goaltenders, and if he keeps up the pace, he could frustrate Sioux Falls' potent attack.
-- Keep the game defensive. Sioux Falls has the advantage in a high-scoring series, but if the scores stay low, look for the Lancers' defense and goaltending to give them the advantage.
PREDICTION: The Lancers are peaking at the right time, and their defense-first style tends to work well in the post-season. Sioux Falls has more than enough horsepower up front to make the series interesting, but look for Omaha to take games three and four after splitting the opening pair. You heard it here first - the Clark Cup will be an all-Nebraska affair for the first time. Lancers in four.
By Trevor Grimm
published 4-10-2001