Clark Cup Final: On paper, Sioux City has the edge, but Madison is no pushover

With the USHL playing limited, if any, interconference play the past two seasons, it can be tough to know how teams line up heading into the Clark Cup Final.

This year, Sioux City comes in as the favorite in the minds of many, having swept regular season champion Tri-City 3 games to 0 in the Western Conference Final. Meanwhile, Madison, who made the playoffs by just three points, defeated Youngstown 2 games to 0 (both on the road), Chicago 2 games to 1, and Muskegon 3 games to 2 en route to the final.

Madison have been the road warriors, with just 3 of their 10 games being played on home ice.

It will be a clash of styles, as the Muskies - like the Western Conference as a whole - play best when playing physical, forechecking, and controlling the play. The Eastern Conference tends towards a run and gun, skating, high scoring style of play.

The team that adapts usually wins in this situation. Sioux City comes in on a strong roll, as they finished the season strong and have been dominant in the playoffs. 

WHY SIOUX CITY WILL WIN: They just beat the regular season champions. They have physicality, goal scoring, goaltending, and just about everything else you can think of. Three of five games are in Sioux City, but that is tempered somewhat by none of those games being on a Friday or Saturday night, while Madison’s two home games are on a Friday and Saturday.

WHY MADISON WILL WIN: The Capitols have shown an ability to play up to the opponent’s level this year - it was not a big surprise to see them beat Chicago, a team they played tough all season, winning 4 of 10 matchups. On paper, Madison doesn’t seem to have the edge in many categories, but they’ve had an intangible all season that seems to serve them well come playoff time.

PREDICTION: Early in the season, this looked like the possible Clark Cup Final. Along the way, it wasn’t as clear, but by the end, this is where we are. Madison’s speed and ability to score in bunches will give Sioux City some trouble, but the Muskies are too big, too physical, and too good not to win. Sioux City in four.