Top-seeded Stampede embrace underdog edge for playoffs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The top-seeded Stampede are set to face number five Lincoln in the Western Conference semifinals. The Herd may sit in the top spot, but they’re focused on embracing an underdog mentality.

“Our DNA as a team is we all feel like we’re underdogs,” head coach Ryan Cruthers said. “We’ve all either been cut or worked in lower leagues or whatever it is from the staff down so we’re taking an underdog mentality into a first place seed. We’re excited about that. We’re excited to prove people wrong.”

The Stampede are viewed as rather explosive by the rest of the league, comprised of a U-S-H-L high eight skaters with 40 plus points on the season.

“We’re a super fast team, we like to play fast,” captain Logan Renkowski said. “We call the neutral zone our speed zone so I think honing in on those little details in the neutral zone throughout the rest of this week is going to be harped on and it’s going to be a big piece of this series.”

Another big piece of the Herd’s success: goaltender Linards Feldbergs. The Latvia native posted a .910 regular season save percentage and ranks atop the league with 35 wins.

“I would say I have good puck play, whenever I’m catching pucks, I just like to read the game,” Feldbergs said. “That’s a big part of being a goalie, you have to be able to read and make a play.”

“We do want to lessen his workload,” Cruthers said. “But when you have the best goalie in the USHL back there you have to use him to your strengths and his strength has given our guys confidence to play their game and that’s really what they’ve done all year.”

The Stampede now look to harness that confidence and skill they’ve displayed all season into a semifinal series win over the Stars.

“Don’t forget what we did to get here and earn the first round bye,” Herd forward Thomas Zocco said. “Don’t forget our swagger that we have and how good we are as a group. During playoffs, if something doesn’t go your way, just be like a goldfish and let it go.”

Puck drop is set for 7:05pm on Friday and 4:05pm on Sunday at the PREMIER Center.

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