SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Stampede will host the Muskegon Lumberjacks this Friday and Saturday as they continue their six-game homestand.

The weekend action begins Friday night with Hockey Moms Night, presented by Real Deals Sioux Falls. The first 500 fans through the doors will receive a Stampede mini tote bag courtesy of Real Deals Sioux Falls, while hockey moms can also enter a FREE raffle at the Stampede sales table outside Section 102. Prior to puck drop, the Stampede will honor several special hockey moms from Stampede Country with a ceremonial puck drop. Fans will also be treated to a special performance by the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club Theatre on Ice during the first intermission. After the game, the celebration continues as select Stampede players will be available for autographs at Culver's Autograph Alley.

The excitement rolls into Saturday with the Stampede's first-ever First Responders Night, presented by Rosenbauer. First responders can stop by the Stampede office this week to claim free tickets for themselves and their families. In honor of the night, the Herd will wear special First Responders jerseys, available through DASH Auctions, with proceeds benefiting local volunteer-based fire departments. Winning bidders will have the opportunity to collect their jersey on the ice following the game and snap a photo with the player who wore it. Before the opening faceoff, the Stampede will recognize nine first responders who have made a meaningful impact in Stampede Country. The night's festivities continue during the second intermission with Chuck-A-Puck, giving fans a chance to win prizes valued at more than $500.

The Stampede enter this weekend with a four-point cushion over the Fargo Force for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Herd are 2-1-1-0 since returning from the USHL holiday break. Last weekend, Sioux Falls went to overtime in both games, earning a win on Friday night and falling on Saturday.

On Friday night in Des Moines, the Stampede trailed by two goals late in the first period before captain Logan Renkowski netted a one-timer from the high slot. The Herd carried the momentum into the second period, taking a 3-2 lead. However, by the end of the third period, the Buccaneers tied the game to force overtime. With an extra man following a late Des Moines power play, the Stampede secured the win just 38 seconds into the five-minute overtime period. Brent Solomon scored the game-winner on a wraparound after Thomas Zocco left the puck behind the net.

Unfortunately, the Stampede were unable to replicate that success on Saturday night. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first period, the Herd surrendered a power-play goal in the second. A scoreless third period forced overtime, where the Lancers earned the extra point after goaltender Waylon Esche attempted a poke check, but the puck landed on an Omaha stick and was buried for the game-winning goal.
Sioux Falls will look to bounce back this weekend and continue extending its lead in the Western Conference standings.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks enter the weekend after losing star center Tyan Lawrence, who has joined the Boston University Terriers. The Lumberjacks are 22-9-0-0 on the season and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 44 points.

Muskegon hosted the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders last weekend and split the series. On Friday night, the Lumberjacks earned a shootout win. Cedar Rapids scored first, but Muskegon responded just 20 seconds later and added another goal a minute after that to take a 2-1 lead. The RoughRiders tied the game 4:08 into the second period with an unassisted goal from Nick Romeo. After a physical but scoreless third period, the game went to overtime, where neither team scored. Muskegon ultimately secured the win in the shootout with a goal from Tyan Lawrence. Cedar Rapids responded on Saturday with a three-goal third period to defeat the Lumberjacks 4-2.

One of the biggest challenges the Stampede will face is former Sioux Falls goaltender Carl Axelsson. Axelsson was traded to the Lumberjacks last offseason after going 1-1-0 with a 4.95 goals-against average in four starts with the Herd last season. This year, Axelsson is 16-4-0-0 with a 2.10 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He currently ranks second in the league in goals-against average and first in save percentage. Axelsson and Stampede goaltender Linards Felbergs are tied for the league lead in wins with 16, while Felbergs has recorded 57 more saves than Axelsson this season.

The Stampede sit one spot behind the Lumberjacks in the overall league standings with a 20-10-2-0 record, compared to Muskegon's 22-9-0-0 mark. The weekend will provide a strong test for the Herd as they aim to maintain their spot atop the Western Conference.

Following this weekend, the Stampede will host the Sioux City Musketeers for a weekend series before welcoming the Lincoln Stars on Sunday for a rescheduled matchup.

Tickets for both this weekend's games can be purchased here.