May 1, 2008
The final of the 2008 Clark Cup Playoffs are set and it will be the Omaha Lancers and the Waterloo Black Hawks doing battle for the right to call themselves Tier I National Champions. Waterloo claimed the title in 2004, while Omaha is still looking for their first Tier I crown.
"Omaha has been near the top of the standings from the beginning of the season until the end. Waterloo, although they didn't win their division, made a strong push late in the season and it has carried over into the playoffs. It should make for an outstanding final series to the 2008 playoffs," said USHL president Gino Gasparini. "The schedule that we have for this round isn't optimal because of building issues, but the two teams settled on five dates they could both live with.
"On behalf of the rest of the league, I wish each of them luck as they battle each other for the right to be called national champions."
A breakdown of the series is below.
Omaha Lancers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Coaches
Omaha: Mike Hastings ? 14th season with Omaha
All-time record: 529-210-56
All-time playoff record: 72-53
Waterloo: P.K. O'Handley ? 6th season with Waterloo
All-time record: 337-320-51
All-time playoff record: 41-31
All-Time Playoff Records
Omaha: 100-64 (.610)
Waterloo: 32-34 (.485)
Head-to-Head Playoff Record: Omaha leads 3-0
Previous Playoff Meetings: 2003 (Omaha 3-0)
Clark Cup Championships
Omaha: 6 (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2001)
Waterloo: 1 (2004)
National Championships
Omaha: 1 (2001)
Waterloo: 1 (2004)
Regular season meetings (Season series tied 2-2-0)
November 3 at Waterloo: Waterloo 2-1
January 25 at Omaha: Omaha 3-1
February 9 at Waterloo: Omaha 6-5
March 14 at Omaha: Waterloo 5-2
Playoff Scoring Leaders
Omaha
Goals: Andrew Conboy (7)
Assists: Travis Novak (8)
Points: Travis Novak (11)
Power Play Goals: Andrew Conboy (4)
Shorthanded Goals: none scored
Game-Winning Goals: Andrew Conboy (2)
Defenseman: Patrick Wiercioch (1-7-8)
PIM: Chris Hepp (38)
Waterloo
Goals: Billy Maday, Siim Liivik, Nick Larson, Jan-Mikael Juutilainen (3)
Assists: Blake Kessel (6)
Points: Blake Kessel (7)
Power Play Goals: Nick Larson (3)
Shorthanded Goals: none scored
Game-Winning Goals: six players tied with 1
Defenseman: Blake Kessel (1-6-7)
PIM: Nick Larson (23)
Goaltenders
Omaha
Drew Palmisano: 9 GP, 6-3, 2.88 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO
Shane Madolora: 1 GP, 0-0, 6.60 GAA, .800 SV%, 0 SO
Waterloo
Matthew DiGirolamo: 6 GP, 6-0, 1.34 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO
Special Teams (percentage, league rank)
Omaha
Power Play: 23.21% (2)
Penalty Kill: 84.78% (4)
Waterloo
Power Play: 25.71% (1)
Penalty Kill: 91.18% (2)
Notes
