Des Moines Buccaneers Weekend Preview: Clark Cup Playoffs Round 1

Results: Week of Apr. 3         Record: 2-0-0-0
Des Moines (4) at Lincoln (2) on Apr. 3
Sioux City (2) at Des Moines (6) on Apr. 4

Des Moines Top Scorers:  
Ryan Seelinger (F) - 61GP | 31G | 37A | 68P 
Blake Zielinski (F) - 53GP | 25G | 30A | 55P 
Owen Tylec (F) - 62GP | 20G | 25A | 45P

Des Moines Goaltenders:
Alan Lendak - 34GP | 21-11-1-0 | 2.41 GAA | 0.909 SV%
Andrei Nikolaev - 12GP | 2-9-0-0 | 2.88 GAA | 0.892 SV%

Buccaneers Notes:

• All three USHL players of the week for Mar. 30 - Apr. 5 were Buccaneers. Owen Tylec, Keaton Orrey, and Alan Lendak helped the Bucs to three straight wins to end out the regular season. Read more here.
• Blake Zielinski was honored with the 2026 USHL Gaudreau Award, exhibiting the traits of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on and off the ice. Read more here.
• Ryan Seelinger leads the club in scoring and ranks fifth in the USHL with 68P (31G, 37A) in 61GP. Seelinger's regular season +/- rating (+26) and shooting % (19.7) put him at second among all Buccaneers for single-season statistics.
• Riley Zupfer ranks third in scoring among USHL rookies with 41P (16G, 25A) in 60GP. Zupfer has the most power-play goals by a rookie with 8 on the season. 
• Alan Lendak ranks fourth among USHL goaltenders with a 2.41 GAA and .909 SV%.

LINCOLN

Regular Season Comparison

Previous and Upcoming Meetings 
Lincoln (2) at Des Moines (1) on Nov. 21
Lincoln (3) at Des Moines (4) on Jan. 30 (OT)
Lincoln (1) at Des Moines (4) on Feb. 17
Des Moines (5) at Lincoln (1) on Mar. 12
Des Moines (4) at Lincoln (2) on Apr. 3
Record: 4-1-0-0 Home: 2-1-0 Away: 2-0-0

Lincoln Top Scorers:  
Alex Pelletier (F) - 59GP | 48G | 37A | 85P 
Layne Loomer (F) - 59GP | 30G | 42A | 72P 
Kade Kohanski (F) - 62GP | 21G | 33A | 54P 

Lincoln Goaltenders:
Charles Menard - 21GP | 9-9-2-0 | 2.82 GAA | .910 SV%
William Prowse - 42GP | 19-15-2-1 | 2.90 GAA | .902 SV%  

Stars Notes:

• Lincoln has two of the top three scorers in the USHL in Alex Pelletier with 82P (46G, 36A) and Layne Loomer with 71P (30G, 41A).
• Lincoln's Nikolas Young ranks in the top five highest-scoring defensemen in the USHL with 40P (9G, 31A) in 49GP.
• The Stars are 14-14-0-1 at home and 6-4-0-0 in their last 10GP.

Next Home Games: April 9 - 11
The Buccaneers have clinched home ice for round one of the Clark Cup Playoffs, so we will be BACK at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex to host the Lincoln Stars. Round 1 kicks off Thursday, Apr. 9, at 6:35 p.m. for 2-for-1 beer night and $1 hot dogs. Game 2 is Friday, Apr. 10, at 7:05 p.m., featuring 2-for-1 beer and Fireball Friday and a playoff rally towel giveaway. If the series is tied after Friday night, the teams will return Saturday, Apr. 11, for Game 3 at 7:05 p.m. featuring Tito's Saturday and Coors Mug Club. Don't miss out on the playoff action! Buy your tickets here.

We need YOU to Pack the Plex for our home playoff games this weekend! Get tickets to all three games for one flat rate. Take your pick - defensive zone or center ice. 

Purchase 2026 Playoff merchandise from the Bucs Galley today!

About the Buccaneers   
Founded in 1980, the Des Moines Buccaneers are a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's premier junior hockey league. The Bucs have a history of success in the USHL, including 4 Clark Cup Championships, 4 Anderson Cup Championships, and 54 alumni drafted to the National Hockey League, including Stanley Cup Champions Kyle Okposo, Alex Chiasson, Trevor Lewis, Davis Drewiske, and Erik Cole. The organization is committed to developing young players on and off the ice, preparing them for a future in collegiate and professional careers. Known for their passionate fan base, the Bucs play their home games at The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a multi-sport complex in West Des Moines, Iowa.   
 
To learn more, visit www.bucshockey.com or follow the Bucs on social media: @bucshockey on X and Instagram, @desmoinesbuccaneers on TikTok, and Des Moines Buccaneers on Facebook. For more information about ticket packages, including season and group outings, please contact (515) 278-2827.