The stage is set as the 2025 Clark Cup Final gets underway on Friday featuring the Eastern Conference champion Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Western Conference champion Waterloo Black Hawks in a battle of two of the leagues deepest teams.

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Muskegon is vying for its first ever Clark Cup. Meanwhile, Waterloo last hoisted the coveted trophy in 2004, led by a young Joe Pavelski who would go on to a storied NHL career. 

Games 1 and 2 take place this weekend in Waterloo before the best-of-five series shifts to Muskegon. Every game will be streamed right here on FloHockey.

Jordan McAlpine takes a look at both teams, the top prospects to watch and everything you need to know before the puck drops.

The Schedule

• Game 1: Friday, May 9, 6:35 p.m. CDT at Waterloo
• Game 2: Saturday, May 10, 6:35 p.m. CDT at Waterloo
• Game 3: Friday, May 16, 7:10 p.m. EDT at Muskegon
• Game 4: Saturday, May 17, 6:10 p.m. EDT at Muskegon *If necessary*
• Game 5: Tuesday, May 20, 6:35 p.m. CDT at Waterloo *If necessary*

Prospect Watch

• Tynan Lawrence, F, Muskegon (2026 draft-eligible)
• Brendan McMorrow, F, Waterloo (2025 draft-eligible, No. 144)
• Brady Peddle, D, Waterloo (2025 draft-eligible, No. 86)
• Ivan Ryabkin, F, Muskegon (2025 draft-eligible, No. 35)
• Xavier Veilleux, D, Muskegon (New York Islanders, 2024, 6th round)

*Numbers according to NHL Central Scouting’s Final 2025 Draft Rankings.

Road to the Final

Muskegon has won eight of its first nine playoff games, the lone blip coming in its second contest. The Jacks finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with 84 points and defeated Cedar Rapids in three games to open the playoffs.

The Lumberjacks followed that up with sweeps of Youngstown and Dubuque in the semifinals and conference finals, eliminating the east's top two teams. Muskegon is a perfect 4-0-0 on the road in the postseason and has out-scored its opponents 37-20 over the nine games. Rookie forward Tynan Lawrence leads all USHL skaters with 13 playoff points as well.

The Black Hawks have played 10 playoff games, going 8-2-0 in the stretch. Waterloo finished third in the Western Conference with 78 points and made quick work of Tri-City in the first round, as Waterloo scored nine goals over its two-game sweep. Waterloo also defeated the top two teams in its conference – Sioux Falls in the semifinals and Lincoln in the conference finals. Both series required four games.

Waterloo has scored a USHL-best 44 playoff goals and touts five of the USHL’s top 10 point producers. However, what’s perhaps more impressive is the lack of goals against, especially against the Stars. Lincoln scored a USHL-leading 272 goals during the regular season but was shutout in back-to-back games by Waterloo goaltender Carter Casey.

Waterloo is a perfect 6-0-0 in home playoff games and has won eight straight games at Young Arena overall. However, that'll be put to the test as the series opens in Northeast Iowa. Muskegon owned the USHL's third-best road win percentage (.645) during the regular season and as mentioned above, the Lumberjacks are unbeaten through their first four road playoff games.

Previous History

The Black Hawks and Lumberjacks met twice during the regular season and Waterloo took both – a 6-2 win on Oct. 11 and 4-3 on April 6.

Muskegon has previously reached the Clark Cup Final once, 2015, but fell to Sioux Falls in three games. Waterloo last reached the final in 2014 and last won it in 2004, which remains the only title in franchise history. This will be Waterloo's seventh trip to the finals.

Matchup Preview

Muskegon Lumberjacks

• Regular-season record: 38-16-4-4
• Head coach: Parker Burgess, 3rd season
• Playoff point leader: Tynan Lawrence, 13
• Playoff goal leader: David Deputy, 8
• Between the pipes: Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (5-0-0, 1.74 GAA, .948 save percentage)
• Number to know: 2.22. Muskegon is allowing a USHL-best 2.22 goals per game through its first nine playoff contests.

Waterloo Black Hawks

• Regular-season record: 34-18-6-4
• Head coach: Matt Smaby, 4th season
• Playoff point leader: Brendan McMorrow, 12
• Playoff goal leader: Kaeden Hawkins, 8
• Between the pipes: Carter Casey (8-2-0, 2.34 GAA, .925 save percentage)
• Number to know: 4. Hawkins has scored a USHL-leading four power-play goals through 10 playoff games. Waterloo has a USHL-leading 11 power-play goals as a team.

Last 10 Clark Cup Champions

• 2024: Fargo Force
• 2023: Youngstown Phantoms
• 2022: Sioux City Musketeers
• 2021: Chicago Steel
• 2020: Not Awarded During COVID-19 Pandemic
• 2019: Sioux Falls Stampede
• 2018: Fargo Force
• 2017: Chicago Steel
• 2016: Tri-City Storm
• 2015: Sioux Falls Stampede
• 2014: Indiana ice

How To Stream The 2025 USHL Playoffs

The 2025 Clark Cup Playoffs will stream exclusively live and on demand on FloHockey, official streaming partner of the USHL. Games can be viewed on FloHockey.tv or via the FloSports connected TV app. Sign up today so you never miss a moment of the action.

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