USHL West Final preview: Sioux City on an unstoppable roll

It would be pretty easy to say the Sioux City Musketeers have already done the hard part, because they have. 

Sioux City had to go on the road for all potential three first round games, but they only needed two to dispatch of the hometown Omaha Lancers. Thanks to Fargo upsetting first place Tri-City in three games, the Muskies find themselves in the unexpected position of having home ice advantage in the second round. 

In a year where home ice has meant little in the USHL, this feels different. The league changes formats every round, so this round will be 1-1-1 with the first and last games in Sioux City. In the first round, the Musketeers showed they are built for the playoffs, coming out hitting, engaging in scrums, imposing their will on the Lancers, and doing all the things a good playoff team does. 

In some ways, it is hard to imagine Fargo winning this series. They won just three of their last ten regular season games, falling from first in the division to fourth in the process. After a great start to the season, the Force have been relatively mediocre. Of course, this is a season unlike any other, so anything can happen. 

Of note, of the four remaining teams, Sioux City has the best goals against, is the biggest team, the most physical, and has the most penalty minutes. In the playoffs when things get nasty, as in good hockey, all of those things matter. 

PREDICTION: Sioux City has now won 11 of their last 12 games. They are the league’s hottest team, and anything less than a sweep would be a surprise. Musketeers in two.

* Thanks to Kevin Kasel for the amazing stats, and to Nia Koenck Melonie Zublis-Brown Todd Caster Ronell Hubbell - I was really wrong in round one! See you in the final!