USHL Power Rankings: Mid-November Men's Ice Hockey Team Standings

The Madison Capitols jumped four spots in the USHL power rankings this week after a decisive road sweep of the Youngstown Phantoms.

Madison climbed to No. in one of the largest changes to the mid-November standings. 6 following a 7-2-1-0 record in their last 10 games.

While the Capitols’ penalty kill remains a concern at 72.1%, their offensive output has surged, ranking second in the league with 4.42 goals per game despite having played only 12 contests. This aggressive scoring profile suggests a team capable of overwhelming opponents, even if they struggle to contain man-advantage situations.

The USHL reported that the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders maintained their hold on the top position, riding a four-game winning streak that includes a weekend sweep of Green Bay.

Cedar Rapids currently leads the East by seven points and holds an 8-1-0-0 record when they successfully score the opening goal. Their depth is anchored by Henry Lechner, who leads the league with 25 points, and Carter Ernst, who is tied for the league lead in assists.

In the goaltending department, the league is seeing elite performances that define the current hierarchy. Joseph Skidmore earned USHL Goalie of the Week honors after making 36 saves against Green Bay, and his eight wins place him second in the league. Meanwhile, Fargo’s Sam Hrenak is dominating the statistical categories, leading the USHL in wins (10), goals-against average (2.10), and save percentage (.934).

The battle for the top tier remains tightly contested among three programs.

Team	Rank	Record	Points	Goals Against Avg
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders	1	12-4-0-0	24	2.81
Fargo Force	2	12-5-0-0	24	2.47
Waterloo Black Hawks	3	11-2-2-0	24	2.33

Waterloo holds the league’s highest points percentage at .800 and has proven nearly impossible to beat in regulation, suffering only two such losses. Their special teams are a primary driver of this success, with a power play that leads the USHL at 33.9%. The Black Hawks have also established dominance within their conference, posting a perfect 7-0 record against Western Conference opponents.

While the top of the table is settled among giants, the Omaha Lancers provided the week’s most dramatic ascent. Omaha climbed five spots to No. 10 after a weekend split that featured an 8-5 victory over Tri-City.

The Lancers’ resurgence is fueled by a highly effective penalty kill, which currently ranks second in the league at 86.0%. Yegor Kim has been a central figure in this climb, recording a five-point performance including four assists during Friday’s contest.

The statistical outliers in the league highlight the varying styles of play currently on display. Tri-City Storm remains the most dangerous offensive unit, leading the USHL in scoring with 4.57 goals per game, yet they struggle defensively, allowing 31.6 shots per game. Conversely, the Dubuque Fighting Saints are focusing on defensive suppression, allowing a league-low 25.9 shots per game.

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At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Green Bay Gamblers remain in the final position. The Gamblers have struggled to find any offensive rhythm, ranking last in both scoring (1.93 goals per game) and power play efficiency (9.1%). They have gone 0-11-0-0 in games where they trail after two periods.

The stakes for these junior players extend far beyond the current standings. The USHL serves as a primary pipeline for professional hockey, with 25% of current NHL players having gained experience in this league. As the season progresses into the winter months, the gap between the elite contenders and the struggling programs will likely widen as schedules intensify.

Madison opens Wings Arena on Friday against Green Bay.