USHL Conference Semifinals 2026: Full Schedule & Matchups!

The USHL playoffs are heating up as the Conference Semifinals begin, with top seeds facing surging underdogs in a best-of-five format.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:59am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a USHL hockey game, with sharp, overlapping geometric planes in the teams' official colors, capturing the raw energy and competition of the playoff matchups.The USHL Conference Semifinals promise intense, high-stakes battles as the league's top junior talent competes for a chance to reach the Clark Cup Finals.Fargo Today

The United States Hockey League (USHL) has officially kicked off the Conference Semifinals for the 2026 Clark Cup Playoffs. This stage of the postseason features a best-of-five series format, with the top seeds facing off against lower-seeded teams that have gained momentum from earlier upsets. The Eastern and Western Conference matchups promise intense battles as teams vie for a spot in the finals.

Why it matters

The USHL Conference Semifinals are a crucial stage in the development of top junior hockey talent. This league serves as a pipeline to NCAA Division I programs and the NHL, making every game a showcase for the future stars of the sport. The high-stakes, best-of-five format will test the resilience, coaching, and depth of the competing teams as they chase the coveted Clark Cup.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, the #1 Youngstown Phantoms will host the #6 Madison Capitols, while the #2 Dubuque Fighting Saints face the #5 Muskegon Lumberjacks. In the West, the #1 Sioux Falls Stampede take on the #5 Lincoln Stars, and the #2 Fargo Force battle the #3 Sioux City Musketeers. The higher seeds will look to leverage home-ice advantage, while the lower seeds aim to pull off early upsets and ride the momentum.

  • The Conference Semifinals begin on April 12, 2026.

The players

Youngstown Phantoms

The top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, known for their disciplined and skilled play.

Madison Capitols

The #6 seed in the East, looking to capitalize on their earlier playoff success and upset the Phantoms.

Sioux Falls Stampede

The #1 seed in the Western Conference, aiming to maintain their focus against a surging lower-seeded opponent.

Lincoln Stars

The #5 seed in the West, determined to prove they can compete with the conference's elite teams.

Fargo Force

The #2 seed in the West, poised for a potential championship preview against the #3 Sioux City Musketeers.

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What’s next

The Conference Semifinal series will continue over the next two weeks, with the winners advancing to the Conference Finals.

The takeaway

The USHL Conference Semifinals showcase the future of hockey, as top junior talent battles for a chance to reach the Clark Cup Finals and potentially earn opportunities at the NCAA and professional levels. The high-stakes, best-of-five format will test the mettle of these young players and provide a glimpse into the next generation of hockey stars.