SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— The Sioux Falls Stampede prepares to host the Sioux City Musketeers and Waterloo Black Hawks this weekend at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Friday’s game against the Musketeers is one of the biggest games of the season for Stampede fans- Pink in the Rink. Friday’s game begins at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday’s at 4:05 p.m. The doors for both games open one hour prior to puck drop.
Opening up the weekend on Friday at 7:05 p.m., the Stampede will look to close the gap between the Herd and Musketeers in USHL Western Conference standings. The Stampede currently sits in fourth place with 19 points, just behind the Tri-City Storm which also has 19 points but one more regulation and overtime win. Sioux City holds the second-place spot with 22 points. Beating the Musketeers would bring the Stampede within one point of second place. Waterloo currently holds the sixth position in the West with 12 points.
During the two teams’ last meeting, the Herd defeated the Musketeers, 4-3. The game came down to the wire with the teams tied at three goals each. Stampede forward John McNelis sealed the win for the Stampede with two seconds remaining in the game. The Musketeers are 9-5-4 this season, recording the most overtime losses in the USHL.
Friday’s Pink in the Rink night celebrates those who have or continue to fight battles with cancer. Dropping ceremonial pucks to kick off the game will be members of Stampede Country that have either won their battles with cancer or are currently battling. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive Pink in the Rink shirts with a special edition of the 25th Anniversary Stampede logo, courtesy of Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. Also on the lineup, the players will be wearing specialty themed jerseys that are to be auctioned off during the game. Funds from the auction will be given to the American Cancer Society to promote cancer research and those battling the disease. Fans can bid on these special jerseys via the DASH Auctions app or the direct auction link. Intermission entertainment from South Dakota Aerial and Arts, as well as chuck-a-puck benefitting the American Cancer Society, are also scheduled. The PREMIER Center will have $1 off specials on Totchos at the SF Taco Stand and Boneless Buffalo Wings at the 1201 Eat St. Stand.
The last time the Stampede and Waterloo met, the Herd earned a 7-4 win for the team’s Home Opener. Defenseman Matthew Grimes was the first to score a goal on the Stampede’s 2023-24 home ice and the first of his USHL career. Tyler Borgula, Chris Pelosi, John McNelis, JJ Wiebusch and Alex Rybakov all also tallied goals for the Herd. The Herd will also host a post-game skating party with fans on the ice. Fans are required to be wearing skates to be on the ice and there is a time limit of 30 minutes following the game.
The Black Hawks hold a 6-7-0 record this season. This Sunday’s game will be the team’s third game of the weekend after they host the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday and Saturday before making the trek to Sioux Falls. Currently, the Black Hawks are on a two-game losing streak after spending a weekend in Kearney, Neb. against the Tri-City Storm.
Next week, the Stampede will host the Des Moines Buccaneers on Wednesday for Wizard’s Night and the Lincoln Stars on Friday. Kicking off the holiday season and in the spirit of giving, there will be a book drive on Wednesday where fans can donate new or gently used books in exchange for tickets to a future game. On Friday afternoon, fans are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to our Toys for Tots Toy Drive. More info on both games will be released next week. Tickets for both games, plus all of the rest of the Stampede’s home season, are available through the Stampede office, KELOLAND Box Office, and Ticketmaster outlets.
