Five-Goal First Period Undoes Herd Early

March 5, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release

FARGO, N.D. - The Sioux Falls Stampede suffered their biggest defeat of the season following an 8-2 loss to the conference-leading Fargo Force at SCHEELS Arena Friday night. The Force scored five goals in seven minutes in the first period, with two coming on a double-minor power play. Noah Grannan made the start in net but was subbed out for Trent Burnham who finished stopping 24 of 28 shots on net.

The Fargo Force were on the board early with a goal from Cody Monds 1:18 into the first period. Tristan Broz followed it up with a goal at 4:42 of the first period to make it 2-0. Stampede forward Daniel Russell responded by beating goaltender Brennan Boynton from an awkward angle. The puck deflected off Boynton and fell into the back of the net. Dante Fantauzzi and Cole Sillinger assisted on the goal.

Defenseman Brent Johnson took a double-minor, high-sticking penalty moments later that allowed the Force to tally two power play goals in quick succession to go up 4-1. Aaron Huglen scored his ninth goal of the season at 12:25 to close out the first period.

Luke Toporowski tallied a short-handed, breakaway goal at 5:21 of the second to make the score 5-2. However, Huglen responded with another Force goal 17 seconds later to extend the lead back to four. Ryan Richardson closed out the period with a goal and Kyle Smolen tallied the lone goal of the third period to seal the 8-2 victory.

The Stampede finished zero for six on the power play and fall to 16-16-3 on the season. The team will matchup again with the Force tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Fans can catch the game streaming live at HockeyTV.com or listen live on KELO Radio 107.9 FM, 1320 AM or Kelo.com.

United States Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2021

• Lancers Top Stars, 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
• Storm Drop Overtime Decision to Black Hawks 3-2 - Tri-City Storm
• Force Dominate Stampede in 8-2 Win - Fargo Force
• Green Bay Wins in Dominating Fashion - Green Bay Gamblers
• Ozar, Overtime, 'Oh My What a Finish' - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Five-Goal First Period Undoes Herd Early - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Parik Steals the Show in Shootout Win over 18s - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Schmid's Shutout Effort, Third Period Goal Barrage Power Musketeers Past Des Moines - Sioux City Musketeers
• Sean Farrell Claims All-Time Steel Points Record as Steel Top Lumberjacks - Chicago Steel
• Aumer Scholarship Boosted by $16.50 Campaign - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Storm Set to Host Black Hawks for First Time this Season - Tri-City Storm

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sioux Falls Stampede Stories

• Stampede Fill 50-Man Protected List with 18 Selections in the 2025 USHL Phase II Draft
• Stampede Select Nine Forwards and Six Defensemen in Phase I of the 2025 USHL Draft
• Stampede Finish Season with Double Overtime Game 4
• Stampede Undone by Penalties in 6-2 Defeat
• Stampede Wipe Out Waterloo For Game Two Win