Week 27 Preview
March 30, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
Fargo, ND - The Fargo Force are getting set to face the Sioux City Musketeers for the final time in the 2022-23 regular season. The two game set will take place on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 with the first game being at home at Scheels Arena, with the second game being in Sioux City at Tyson Events Center. The season series is 5-3 in favor of the Force, with their last matchup against the Musketeers, a 4-3 win, came on March 10 in Sioux City. Friday's home game is 701 Night, honoring North Dakota, with tickets available for just $7.01 for North Dakota residents. Additionally, many local vendors will be around the concourse of Scheels Arena.
Weekend in Review
The Force dropped all three games three games to the Tri-City Storm, putting them on a four game skid. Owen Mehlenbacher led the offense for Fargo with three assists on the weekend.
Friday night, things were even after the first period, but a five goal second period from the Storm led them to a 7-3 win over the Force, despite two quick goals in the third from Bret Link and Cole Knuble.
Saturday, the Force were shut out 4-0 but had showed heart through the very end. For the final game on Sunday, Fargo played excellent offensively, with Zam Plante and Kevin Scott notching their eleventh and fourth goals on the year, respectively. However, a late game surge resulting in two unanswered goals for Tri-City gave them the lead and win by a 3-2 decision.
Across the Aisle
After a slow start to the season, defending Clark Cup Champion Sioux City has come out swinging. Despite this, the Force hold the season series five game to three. Fargo's last victory over the Musketeers came in dramatic fashion, a four goal third period on March 10, to win 4-3.
Despite the recent successes against the Musketeers, Sioux City's offense is not to be trifled with. Rookie forward Ryan Conmy is averaging over a point per game, with 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists) in 53 games played this season. He also leads the team in goals. Sioux City's assist leader, Tyler Hotson, has seven assists in his last five games and has 52 points (14 goals, 38 assists) in 53 games played.
Between the pipes for Sioux City, neither goalie for the Musketeers averages over a .900 save percentage. However, Swedish netminder Axel Mangbo is on a three game win streak and is nearly at .900 with a save percentage of .895, a career best for him in the USHL.
The Last Stretches
Currently, Fargo has 78 points (36-12-2-4), leading the western conference. If the Force win at least three of their final seven games, they will break the franchise record for points and wins in a season set in 2012-13 (83 points, 38 wins). That season, Fargo went to the Clark Cup Finals, where they lost to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in three games.
Mac Swanson has been on a hot streak as well for the Force, with nine assists in his last eight games.
Broadcast Information
Both Friday and Saturday's games against the Sioux City Musketeers will be streamed on Flo Hockey and 101.9 Jack FM. Friday's game has a special start time of 7:01pm in honor of 701 night, while Saturday's road game in Sioux City begins at 6:05 pm CST.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2023
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