Musketeers in search of securing home ice advantage in Clark Cup Playoffs
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – 'Most importantly, just to be able to guarantee some playoff games in front of our home crowd, use that momentum and energy to try to get through that first best of three would be significant,' Sioux City head coach Jason Kersner said.
The Musketeers returned home from a successful four-game road stand that helped the Green and Gold not only climb the standings, but lock up a playoff spot in the process.
Sioux City was the fourth team to lock up a Clark Cup Playoff spot and after Tri-City and Fargo were able to secure the last two slots, the Western Conference playoff bunch is already spoken for.
With Lincoln and Sioux Falls holding a wide margin in the top two spots, which come with first round byes, Sioux City sits in fourth – the last spot that comes with home ice advanctange in the first round of the playoffs.
The Muskies put together five wins in a row, with four of those coming on the road in victories against Omaha, Fargo, and Chicago. The win streak was sparked by Sioux City's home victory against the Omaha Lancers back on March 15th.
During the stretch, Sioux City has scored five or more goals in each of its wins, boosting its season total to 210. The Muskies' goal total is tied for fifth-best in the USHL.
A big part of the recent success is courtesy of Giacomo Martino. The Northeastern commit tallied 13 points in his last five games, including a hat trick on Sunday at Chicago.
Even with plenty of momentum and a playoff spot locked upm the team remains in search for more.
'It's just pretty much win every game, we really want that home ice. We love the fans here in Sioux City and it's definitely a big advantage if we get that home ice,' Sioux City defenseman Liam Hupka said.
'It's that time of year, right? So obviously in that stretch, we're able to clinch a playoff spot and now we're still fighting to try to get home ice. So five regular season games left and the final three here at the Tyson. So, we're looking forward to them and we need a few more points in we want ot be able to host in the first round of the playoffs, which is kind of our next goal,' Kersner added.
'Home ice advantage in the playoffs means a lot. The fans over here get crazy. I remember from last year and just that travel is really brutal. So, hopefully we could finish strong these last couple of games and then get home ice for the playoffs,' Martino mentioned.
'Play every one like its our last and get some more wins and make sure we get that home ice and bring the energy in the playoffs,' Sioux City forward Gavin Garry highlighted.
Sioux Ciy will take on three different opponents in three days, kicking off the slate on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against a Dubuque team that sits in second place in the Eastern Conference.
The Musketeers follow that game up on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. with another Eastern Conference opponent in Cedar Rapids. Sioux City scored a season-high eight goals in its road win against the Roughriders in January.
Sioux City's final regular season home game falls on Sunday against a Tri-City Storm team that is chasing the Musketeers in the standings, sitting just seven pounts behind Sioux City. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
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