French Stays Hot in 3-2 Loss to Fargo
March 20, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers vs. the Fargo Force
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Josh French added two more assists and finished with a five-point weekend but it wasn't enough as the visiting Fargo Force escaped with a 3-2 victory at Ralston Arena on Sunday night.
After no scoring in the first period, both teams combined for three goals in the middle frame. Fargo got out to a two-goal lead courtesy of Jack Adams and Jere Astren. Evan Bell sent a shot on net from the point and it bounced right to the stick of Jack Adams who then cut back to the right of Lancers goaltender Zackarias Skog. Adams got open up just enough to slip the puck in for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Adams' eighth of the year and the only assist was credited to defenseman Evan Bell at 3:11 of the period.
Just over five minutes later the Force took their two-goal lead. After Hank Crone fanned on a shot in front of the net, Jere Astren stepped in and lifted the puck over the left shoulder of Zackarias Skog for the 2-0 advantage at 8:25 of the second period. Astren's goal was assisted by Crone and Niko Hildenbrand.
Omaha came back later in the second to pull within a goal. After a face-off win by Josh French, Michael Bigelbach took a shot on net that hit Ryan Wischow, popped behind him, and barely crossed over the goal line. The goal was just Bigelbach's second of the season and came with only 3:04 left in the period. French's assist on the goal was his 27th of the season and team-leading 41st point.
The momentum of that goal carried into the final period of play while on the penalty kill. Jake Gingell stepped up in the neutral zone and forced a turnover that created a two-on-one rush. Gingell centered the puck and it caromed off a skate and into the net. The deflected goal tied the game, 2-2, just 2:44 into the third period. French recorded his second assist of the night and fifth point of the weekend. He factored into every Omaha goal in two games against Fargo.
At 8:42 of the third period Fargo got their lead back on a shot from the left point. Jake McLaughlin let a shot go from a few feet inside the left side of the blue line. The puck sailed through traffic and snuck in the left side of the post for the 3-2 lead. McLaughlin recorded the eventual game-winning goal on his third tally of the year from Tommy Muck and Blake Lizotte.
Omaha thought they scored the game-tying goal late in the game, however, it was waved off by the officials. Fargo then held on for the 3-2 victory.
The Lancers are on the road next Friday and Saturday in Fargo to battle the Force in another two-game set. Puck drops both nights at 7:05 p.m. Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. CT with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.
Images from this story
 Omaha Lancers vs. the Fargo Force |
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