SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — It's time to raise a banner in Sioux Falls! Of course, there's some business to attend to first. Friday night, the Stampede head to Sioux City to take on the Musketeers at the Tyson Events Center before returning home to hold a Championship Celebration at the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Saturday night.
At this point in the short season, a point of struggle for the Herd seems to come on the power play, with two goals on 28 opportunities, with the next closest teams in terms of power-play opportunities being the Des Moines Buccaneers and Lincoln Stars trailing behind at 18 each. The calls are coming, and the goals will follow, but for now we wait and watch the chemistry build. It's important to remember that we are only four games into a 62 game season.
Each of the Stampede's three wins have come from a different goaltender, with 17-year-old Ilya Nikitins leading the trio, with a .941SV% and 2.00GAA in his USHL debut. Edmonton Oilers prospect Ryan Cameron leads the Herd's netminders with two games played while Ivans Kufterins picked up a 6-3 win in his USHL debut last weekend.
The Stampede saw the Musketeers twice in the preseason, splitting the weekend with a 2-1 loss and a 7-0 win. To begin the regular season, Sioux Falls holds a 3-1-0-0 record, while Sioux City sports a 1-3-0-0 record.
Stampede Players To Watch
Ryder Betzold has four goals in four games, scoring twice against both the USNTDP U18s and in last Saturday's win against the Tri-City Storm. The returning forward found the back of the net 15 times in the 2025-26 season and has come back with a new determination in his second year.
Ryland Rooney leads the USHL in shots, with 25, seven more than the next player on the list. While he's picked up two goals and three assists through the first four games of the season, look for Rooney to get his name on the scoresheet even more often as he fine-tunes his game with the Herd.
Anthony Bongo was named to the Herd's leadership group and has been proving why he's earned it in his third year. With three assists to start the year, Bongo has been shining in his role as a defenseman, with blocked shots being where he's stood out most. He's been a key performer in every game, being rewarded with his name on the scoresheet, but standing out even more in his non-scoring plays.
Musketeers Players To Watch
Rookie forward Dominik Bednar made a massive impact in the Musketeers' season opener at the Fall Classic, netting a hat trick in his USHL debut. Bednar signed a tender agreement with Sioux City in January and, with two of Sioux City's three power-play goals, is a player to keep an eye on during man-advantage opportunities for the Musketeers.
Hugo Svergardh has been in the net for every one of Sioux City's four games so far this season, drawing a 1-3-0-0 record, allowing 12 goals. The Swedish goaltender has some expectations on him this season, and there's a decent chance he sees both games against the Herd this weekend.
A familiar name to Stampede fans, Jack Brauti is donning the green, gold and white this season. Brauti spent most of the 2025-26 season as a member of the Herd after departing the QMJHL's Cape Breton Eagles. This season, for Sioux City, Brauti has three assists through four games. He's still looking for his first goal in the USHL and it's something to keep an eye out for with the home-and-home series this weekend.
The Sioux Falls Stampede drop the puck at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for the first time this season on Saturday, October 3. Doors open at 5 PM CT and you will want to be in your seat early to catch the Clark Cup championship banner raising and presentation before the game. Get your tickets now!
