There are myriad scenarios in play this weekend as the Lincoln Stars seek their third consecutive USHL Clark Cup Playoff bid.
Lincoln could move to as high as fifth in the USHL Western Conference standings, or it could miss the postseason altogether.
The Stars play Sioux City on Friday in Lincoln and then head to play the Musketeers on their home ice Saturday night.
With up to 10 different scenarios in play, third-year Stars coach Rocky Russo is only thinking about one of them.
"It's up to (Stars director of communications) Joel (Norman) to figure out the scenarios," Russo said. "They're meaningless to me. There's only one thing that matters, and that's our ability to try to win games. We're focused on winning the game Friday at home, and I don't care how we do it. I want two points. I know that can be a challenge."
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This much is clear: If Lincoln wins Friday and Des Moines loses, the Stars are in the playoffs.
"We will reevaluate those scenarios after the game on Friday and see where we are at," Russo said. "There will potentially come a time where I need to manage the bench differently if that's the case. If it becomes overtime scenarios and regulation/overtime wins, etc., etc. But until that situation arises, we are going to focus on what we can do to take care of things on are own."
Sioux City is currently clinging to a one-point lead over the Waterloo Black Hawks for a first-round bye, there is a chance the Musketeers could fall to third place in the Western Conference and set a potential Lincoln and Sioux City matchup in the first round if things align.
Sioux City is playing for postseason positioning. If the Musketeers fall to the No. 3 seed, they will host Game 1 of their playoff series and then hit the road. Typically, the higher seed hosts the series, but the Shrine Circus is in town at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
"(Sioux City) are well talented, they are well coached and we need to make sure we are focused on the special teams battle," Russo said. "We don't want to take unnecessary penalties. You want to limit their odd-man rushes and transition and they can make you pay. If we can keep it in front of us and defend in transition we should be alright."
Barring a playoff berth, Lincoln could play one of three different teams in the first round with Waterloo and Tri-City as other likely candidates pending this weekend's outcomes.
Friday's contest against Sioux City is at 7 p.m. at the Ice Box.
Other likely Lincoln scenarios of clinching a playoff berth include: 1. Win both regular-season games. 2. A win and overtime/shootout loss. 3. A win and two Des Moines losses in any fashion. 4. A loss Friday and a Des Moines win, followed by a win and Des Moines loss.