Sioux City Muskies and Fargo Force to Face Off in USHL Clark Cup Playoffs

The Western Conference semifinal matchup features two teams that have won 4 of the last 8 USHL championships.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:48pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of a USHL hockey game, with players' bodies and equipment broken down into sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant team colors.Two of the USHL's most successful franchises in recent years, the Sioux City Muskies and Fargo Force, prepare to clash in an epic Western Conference semifinal playoff series.Fargo Today

The Western Conference semifinal series in the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs will feature a matchup between the Sioux City Muskies and the Fargo Force, two teams that have combined to win 4 of the last 8 USHL championships. This highly anticipated series will showcase some of the top young talent in junior hockey as these two powerhouse programs battle for a spot in the conference finals.

Why it matters

The USHL is considered one of the premier junior hockey leagues in North America, with many players going on to successful NCAA and professional careers. This playoff matchup between two of the league's most successful franchises in recent years will draw significant interest from hockey fans across the region.

The details

The Sioux City Muskies and Fargo Force have been two of the dominant teams in the USHL over the past decade, combining to win 4 of the last 8 Clark Cup championships. The Muskies won titles in 2019 and 2022, while the Force claimed championships in 2018 and 2021. Both teams are stacked with top NHL prospects, setting the stage for an epic playoff clash between these Midwest hockey rivals.

  • The Western Conference semifinal series between the Sioux City Muskies and Fargo Force will begin on April 21, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for April 23, 2026.
  • If necessary, Game 3 will take place on April 25, 2026.

The players

Sioux City Muskies

The Sioux City Muskies are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior hockey league in the United States. They have won 2 USHL championships in the last 8 seasons.

Fargo Force

The Fargo Force are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the USHL. They have won 2 USHL championships in the last 8 seasons, making them one of the most successful franchises in the league during that span.

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What’s next

The winner of the Sioux City Muskies vs. Fargo Force series will advance to the USHL Clark Cup Finals to face the winner of the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.

The takeaway

This playoff series between the Sioux City Muskies and Fargo Force features two of the USHL's most dominant franchises in recent years, setting the stage for an exciting and highly competitive matchup between two teams loaded with top NHL prospects.