New USHL playoff format

It is getting to be that time of year already. There are only eight games left for your Fargo Force and I have had a lot of fans asking me about the playoff format and what the chances of their favorite USHL club making the postseason are. Well, first off, barring a complete collapse the Force should make the playoffs.

There will be 12 playoff teams this year. That is made possible with the addition of Dubuque and Muskegon. Six teams from the East and six teams from the West will go. Brian Werger from the USHL offices sent the following in regards to the playoff format:

1. Playoff format:

The playoffs have expanded this season.

- The top six teams in each conference will qualify for the playoffs.

- The top two teams in each conference will receive a bye in the first round.

- Remaining four teams in each conference will play a best-of-three series (#3 vs. #6 and #4 vs. #5). All three games (third game if necessary) will be played at the rink of the team with the better seed. So the entire series between #6 and #3 will be played at the home arena of #3.

- Following the first round, all subsequent rounds will then be a best-of-five

- Winner of each conference playoff bracket will play in a best-of-five Clark Cup Final

That means the key is for the Force to at least be the No. 4 seed, so they can play at home. I know they are just 11-10-3 in home games, but home ice is important in the playoffs.

Here is a look at the current Western Conference Standings:

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	WPCT	GF	GA	PIM	HOME	AWAY
1. Dubuque	49	30	11	8	68	.694	161	122	808	15-6-4	15-5-4
2. Omaha	51	29	15	7	65	.637	149	127	713	17-6-4	12-9-3
t3. Fargo	52	29	19	4	62	.596	150	129	1081	11-10-3	18-9-1
t3. Sioux Falls	51	28	17	6	62	.608	166	151	778	16-7-1	12-10-5
5. Lincoln	50	25	20	5	55	.550	156	163	1146	14-9-3	11-11-2
6. Des Moines	48	23	20	5	51	.531	140	147	1071	13-9-3	10-11-2
7. Sioux City	49	22	22	5	49	.500	131	143	819	10-11-3	12-11-2
8. Tri-City	50	19	21	10	48	.480	118	162	782	13-7-6	6-14-4