Stampede Can'T Hold Onto Lead at Fargo
March 12, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Fargo, ND-The Sioux Falls Stampede couldn't hold on to a 2-0 lead as they watched the Fargo Force rally for five unanswered goals in a 5-2 loss Sunday evening in Fargo. It marked the second time in the last three games the Herd built a 2-0 lead, but couldn't hold on. Paul DeNaples and Jaxon Nelson tallied goals for the Herd while Jeremey Swayman stopped 41 of 45 shots in goal. The loss ended a rough three games in three day weekend for the Stampede who are now 17-27-7 on the year.
Playing their third game in three days one would think the Stampede might come out a little sluggish, but just the opposite took place in the first period as the Stampede grabbed the first goal of the game just 4:23 into the period when Paul DeNaples picked up a loose puck at center ice and skated in on a breakaway where he beat Fargo goaltender Matt Murray on the stick side for his seventh of the season and to give the Herd a 1-0 lead. The Herd added to their lead at 8:57 when Khristian Acosta took the puck behind the Fargo net and found Jaxon Nelson open in front and Nelson one-timed a shot through the five-hole of Murray to give Sioux Falls a 2-0 lead. Fargo finished the period outshooting the Herd 9-7, but Sioux Falls had the two goal advantage heading into the second.
The Force awoke early in the second period and quickly got back into the game. Hank Crone got the Force on the board just 1:44 into the period when he picked up a loose rebound off the pad of Swayman and jammed it in. Twenty seconds later the Force tied the game when Mark Senden wristed a shot past Swayman to make it a 2-2 game. Things settled down after that and the game remained tied until the 17:38 mark when Mitchell Chaffee sent a pass into the slot for Stampede killer, Shane McMahan, who one-timed the shot past Swayman to make it 3-2 at the end of two periods. McMahan finished the year with seven goals against the Stampede in nine games. Fargo outshot the Herd 23-7 in the period.
The Stampede battled hard in the third period trying to get the tying goal, but couldn't generate a ton of quality scoring chances, even on a couple of power plays. The Force added some cushion to their lead at 16:04 when Blake Lizotte wristed a shot from the right circle past the stick side of Swayman and into the net for a 4-2 advantage. The Herd pulled Swayman late for an extra attacker, but the Force put the game away for good with an empty net goal from Hank Crone.
Fargo outshot the Herd 14-4 in the period and 46-18 in the game. Both teams finished the night 0-for-4 on the power play.
The Stampede return to action this Friday when they travel to Chicago to face the Steel at 7:05 PM. Fans can catch all the action live on KELO News Talk 1320-AM, 107.9-FM and online at KELO.com. The game can also be viewed on HockeyTV.
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United States Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2017
- Stampede Can'T Hold Onto Lead at Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stampede Can't Hold Onto Lead at Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Postgame Recap: Hawks Overrun Sioux City - Waterloo Black Hawks
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