Here's what you need to know for Game 1 of the Clark Cup Final against Muskegon, presented by Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital.  Be sure to wear BLUE!

When: Tonight (Friday) at 7:05 PM

Doors: Open at 6 PM

Parking: FREE in lots across from the PREMIER Center, next to the Birdcage. With several other events going on tonight, make sure you give yourself extra time to park and get into the PREMIER Center.

Tickets: On sale through the KELOLAND Box Office or click here to purchase online. The Stampede office is open until 4:30pm today. The office is located at 1111 N. Lake Avenue, right across the street from Dow Rummel.

Fun and entertainment:
Towel Giveaway: The first 3,500 fans will take home a special Clark Cup Final playoff towel, compliments of Kwik Star and Rosenbauer. Towels will be given away at the top of the stairs from the main front entrance. Limited amounts of towels will be available at the side entrances.

Mr. Twister & Face Painting: Get free balloon animals and face painting in the main concourse.
Photo Booth: Remember the memories and fun of Game 1 with a picture from our photo booth outside section 119.

Hockey Shootout: Test your hockey skills at the Stampede Shootout outside section 119.

Sign Making Station: Located outside section 102!

App Games: Be sure to download the Stampede Mobile App, powered by Big Poppa's Pizza, to interact and win prizes at the game! 
Herd First: Choose which Stampede player scores first for a chance to win a prize from Dave and Buster's! 
Over / Under: Win a prize from Buffalo Wild Wings by correctly answering questions! 
Diamond of the Game: Vote for the Fan Voted Player of the Game! 

Series Update:
Series tied 0-0

The Stampede face the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Game 1 of the Clark Cup Final. This marks the second time ever these two teams have met in the Finals. The Stampede won the previous meeting back in 2015, taking the series 3-0. These two teams met twice during the regular season at the PREMIER Center with the Stampede winning the first game of the weekend series 7-4 before falling to Muskegon 5-3 the following night.

The Stampede advanced to the Clark Cup Final after topping Fargo 2-1 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday night. The Lumberjacks advanced after defeating Madison 6-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Monday night. Both teams have won back-to-back series in five games and both have done so after trailing 2-1 in the series.

Players to Watch:
Muskegon:
Drew Stewart: 56GP: 30G, 31A: 61pts
Melvin Novotny: 48GP: 22G, 35A, 57pts
Viktor Norringer: 48GP: 24G, 25A, 49pts
Carl Axelsson: 44GP: 28-14-1/2.48GAAA/.916% (Postseason: 8-4-0/2.10GAA/.906%)

Playoff leaders:
Drew Stewart: 12GP: 7G, 6A, 13pts
Graham Melvin Novotny: 12GP: 3G, 9A, 12pts
Viktor Norringer: 3G, 8A, 11pts  

Sioux Falls:
Thomas Zocco: 60GP: 22G, 48A: 70pts
Logan Renkowski: 60GP: 43G, 20A: 63pts
Tobias Ohman: 57GP: 15G, 40A: 55pts
Linards Feldbergs: 49GP: 35-12-2/2.51GAAA/.910% (Postseason: 3-1-1/2.33GAA/.923%)

Playoff Leaders:
J.J. Monteiro: 10GP: 5G, 5A, 10pts
Logan Renkowski: 9GP: 7G, 0A, 7pts
Thomas Zocco: 10GP: 3G, 4A, 7pts

STAMPEDE (43-12-3) VS Muskegon (36-24-2)
Clark Cup FINAL
 
GAME 1: Tonight 7:05 PM at PREMIER Center  
Game 2: Saturday 6:05 PM at PREMIER Center
GAME 3: May 22 6:10 PM at Trinity Health Arena
GAME 4: May 23 5:10 PM at Trinity Health Arena*
GAME 5: May 26 7:05 PM at PREMIER Center*
*if necessary
 
ABOUT THE SERIES

• This is the second-ever meeting in the Clark Cup Final between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Sioux Falls Stampede. The teams previously met in 2015, with Sioux Falls sweeping Muskegon 3-0 in a best-of-five series.
• The teams split their regular-season series this year:
  • Sioux Falls won 7-4 on Jan. 9
  • Muskegon won 5-3 on Jan. 10
  • Both games were played at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
• Players ranked on NHL Central Scouting's final North American skater rankings:
  • No. 30: Rudolfs Berzkalns (MUS, Boston College)
  • No. 136: Teddy Lechner (MUS, Augustana)
  • No. 140: Cooper Soller (SF, Western Michigan)
• The series features five NHL draft picks:
  • Muskegon: Carter Sanderson (PIT, North Dakota), Melvin Novotny (BUF, University of Massachusetts), Victor Norringer (NSH, Boston University), Carter Amico (PHI, Boston University)
  • Sioux Falls: Brent Solomon (DET, Wisconsin)
• Both goalies, Carl Axelsson (Minnesota Duluth) and Linards Feldbergs (Merrimack), have played every game for their team. Axelsson is 8-4-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. Feldbergs is 6-1-3 with a 2.02 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
• Muskegon goalie Carl Axelsson (Minnesota Duluth) was traded from Sioux Falls after last season. He played four games with the Stampede.
• Brent Solomon (DET, Wisconsin) and Jake Prunty won the World Junior A Challenge alongside Carter Sanderson (PIT, North Dakota) and Danny Klaers (Notre Dame) earlier this season.