With nearly a month into the USHL and a month and a half in the NAHL Seasons.
The USHL season as the top 3 teams in both divisions are starting to get some separation. In the East, Chicago, Cedar Rapids, and Green Bay are all battling for the top spot in the East as all 3 teams are just 2 points separate in the East. In addition to the Steel leading, they scoring nearly 5 goals a game and their turnaround has been strong after finishing 13 points out of the playoffs and probably would been last if it weren't for Des Moines who won just 12 games last season.
Down in the east is defending champion Indiana where most of their top players are gone from last year like Stanislav Galiev and Brandon Richardson that helped them win the Clark Cup last year. Bringing the rear in the East are the Youngstown Phantoms, Waterloo Blackhawks and and the USNTDP.
Out west, League powerhouse Omaha is back on top of the division with a slim lead over the Tri-City Storm and the Sioux Falls Stampede. Tri-City has had even a bigger turnaround then Chicago after finishing dead last out west while the Lincoln Stars have been struggling with a 4-5-0 record and currently being in 5th after losing in the West Division Final to Fargo after finishing on top on the West Division during the regular season.
From top to bottom though, the West Division is looking stronger this year then the East.
In the NAHL, The top of the South and North Divisions are going to be very strong as the Traverse City North Stars and Marquette Rangers will be fighting it out for the top of the North Division title as a balance scoring attack with 7 players already being in double digits already as Andy Huff already has a dozen goals this season while Eric Mclintock is looking strong all over the ice as he has 17 points (8G 9A) so far this season.
For Marquette, they may not have a big offense, but their defense is among the best in the league so far as they have the best team defense by only giving up 32 goals in 14 games so far and a very strong PK nearing 86%.
In the South Division, Topeka and St. Louis are going to be battling as the Roadrunners will look for revenge after the Bandits just killed the Roadrunners in the Division Final last season. Ryan White, has looked very strong after being the South Division Player of the week with a big week, other players include Edgars Lipsbergs and Erik Higby have been great on offense.
For the defending champion Bandits, it's the great goaltender that's been the story for them as Garrett Bartus has an impressive 6-1-1 record with a strong looking 2.14 GAA and a .911 SV% that's frustrating opposing teams. However they offense may not be that great though, they leading scorer Daniel Olszewski is leading with just 14 points (7G 7A).
As for the Tornado, they looking to find some consistently as the Tornado sit 4th in the South Division with a 6-6-2 record. So far, only one player is in double digits in points with Jack Prince leading with 12 Points (5G 7A).
United States Hockey League (USHL)
October 29
Omaha Lancers VS. USNTDP
October 30
Omaha Lancers VS. USNTDP
Waterloo Blackahawks VS. Indiana Ice
Green Bay Gamblers VS. Sioux City Musketeers
Lincoln Stars VS. Sioux Falls Stampede
Cedar Rapids Roughriders VS. Chicago Steel
Youngstown Phantoms VS. Fargo Force
October 31
Waterloo Blackhawks VS. Indiana Ice
Sioux City Musketeers VS. Sioux Falls Stampede
Green Bay Gamblers VS. Des Moines Buccaneers
Youngstown Phantoms VS. Fargo Force
Tri-City Storm VS. Lincoln Stars
Chicago Steel VS. Cedar Rapids Roughriders
League Standings
East Division: 1. Chicago 8 GP 12 PTS, 2. Cedar Rapids 8 GP 12 PTS, 3. Green Bay 10 PTS, 4. Indiana 6 GP 7 PTS, 5. Youngstown 7 GP 5 PTS, 6. Waterloo 6 GP 4 PTS, 7. USNTDP 9 GP 1 PTS
West Division: 1. Omaha 7 GP 12 PTS, 2. Tri-City 11 PTS, 3. Sioux Falls 7 GP 10 PTS, 4. Fargo 7 GP 8 PTS, 5. Lincoln 9 GP 8 PTS, 6. Sioux City 7 GP 6 PTS, 7. Des Moines 8 GP 6 PTS
North American Hockey League
October 29
Springfield Jr. Blues VS. Texas Tornado
October 30
Motor City Metal Jackets VS. Alpena Ice Diggers
Marquette Rangers VS. Janesville Jets
North Iowa Outlaws VS. Owatonna Express
Topeka Roadrunners VS. St. Louis Bandits
Albert Lea Thunder VS. Bismarck Bobcats
Springfield Jr. Blues VS. Texas Tornado
Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Wenatchee Wild
Fairbanks Ice Dogs VS. Alaska Avalanche
October 31
Topeka Roadrunners VS. St. Louis Bandits
Motor City Metal Jackets VS. Alpena Ice Diggers
Marquette Rangers VS. Janesville Jets
Albert Lea Thunder VS. Bismarck Bobcats
Wichita Falls Wildcats VS. Wenatchee Wild
Fairbanks Ice Dogs VS. Alaska Avalanche
November 1
Topeka Roadrunners VS. St. Louis Banidts
NAHL Standings
North Division: 1. Traverse City 15 GP 21 PTS, 2. Marquette 14 GP 20 PTS, 3. Janesville 15 GP 14 PTS, 4. Motor City 13 GP 13 PTS, 5. Alpena 15 GP 8 PTS
Central Division: 1. Owatonna 13 GP 19 PTS, 2. North Iowa 13 GP 15 PTS, 3. Bismarck 16 GP 15 PTS, 4. Alexandria 12 GP 11 PTS, 5. Albert Lea 14 GP 4 PTS
South Division: 1. Topeka 15 GP 24 PTS, 2. St. Louis 13 GP 23 PTS, 3. Springfield 16 GP 16 PTS, 4. Texas 14 GP 14 PTS, 5. Wichita Falls 14 GP 10 PTS
South Division: 1. Wenatchee 21 GP 34 PTS, 2. Alaska 16 GP 23 PTS, 3. Fairbanks 17 GP 19 PTS, 4. Kenai River 20 GP 11 PTS
