Fargo Sails Through Des Moines, Franchise Records Within Sight
Published on April 7, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
Des Moines, IA - The Fargo Force outscored the Des Moines Buccaneers 4-1 despite being outshot 29-16. The Force move to 38-13-2-4 and 82 points. This ties the franchise record for wins in a season. Fargo is also a point behind their season record in points with 82. Both records, 38 wins and 83 points, were established in the 2012-13 season. Fargo can break both records tomorrow night in Waterloo with a win. Anton Castro played impeccably, stopping 28 of 29 shots. Des Moines on the other hand, slides to 20-28-5-3 with 48 points. Max Lundgren stopped 12 of 16 shots for the Buccaneers.
Des Moines started out the first period hot, initially outshooting Fargo 7-0 halfway through the frame. However, Fargo found their footing after killing off a Jacob Napier tripping penalty at 8:02 and turned up the heat in the offensive zone. This pressure resulted in a back door Mac Swanson goal at 11:54, striking first for the Force to give them a 1-0 lead. The primary assist by Bret Link gave him his 30th assist of the season. The goal energized Fargo, as they continued to fly around the Buccaneers, with Zam Plante getting a late opportunity from in front of the blue paint, but couldn't find the target. A late power play for the Force yielded no goals as the ice continued to tilt in their favor.
Fargo didn't wait long to extend their lead in the second period, as Jacob Napier put home a Leo Gruba rebound shot at 1:11, doubling the Fargo lead to 2-0. Almost immediately after the Napier tally, the Force went back to the man advantage. Fargo had a flurry of chances, but none crossed the goal line. The Buccaneers then went on their second power play, but the Force buckled down again to deny another special teams opportunity for Des Moines. The defensive energy for Fargo led to another offensive opportunity with a third power play. The best chance came when JP Turner stormed in, but had his five-hole shot stonewalled by Lundgren. Between the pipes, Castro was busy as Des Moines peppered him shots from a multitude of angles, giving his teammates a springboard onto the forecheck.
Force Captain Kyle Smolen scored at 1:35 in the third period after Lundgren dropped the shot, lengthening the Fargo lead to 3-0. The pressure continued for the Force and paid off as Smolen's 20th assist of the season set up Girts Silkalns from behind the net at 9:03, making it 4-0. However, Des Moines responded with some offense at 11:47. Christian Kocsis got the Buccaneers on the board from a wicked wrist shot, cutting the Fargo lead to 4-1. That was the only goal for Des Moines, as Fargo cruised to victory.
Fargo continues their road trip tomorrow night in Waterloo to meet the Black Hawks for the final time this regular season. The game will be streamed on Flo Hockey and 101.9 Jack FM. Puck drop is at 6:05pm CST.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2023
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- Robbins Backstops Lumberjacks to 6-3 Win in Green Bay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Fargo Sails Through Des Moines, Franchise Records Within Sight - Fargo Force
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