Force Suffer 4-3 Overtime Loss to Lancers at Home
Former Force forward Jimmy Murray showed why he is one of the top scoring leaders in the USHL with a multi-point game for the Lancers in front of 3,776 fans at Scheels Arena. Murray had two goals and an assist, including the game winning goal in overtime. He netted his first goal of the night 12:59 into the first period to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.
Fargo responded with under a minute left in the first on a powerplay goal by Jordan Nelson, who ripped a shot from the left point past goaltender Alex Lyon for just his third goal of the season and his first of two in the game.
“I was glad to see Nelly break out and score a couple of goals”, said Head Coach John Marks following the 4-3 overtime loss. “We out-chanced them and that but obviously we didn’t outscore them.”
The Force were stricken by penalties all night going shorthanded seven times throughout the contest, with five of those penalties coming in the first period alone. Fargo had a solid penalty kill in the first, along with Zane Gothberg holding strong in the net, not allowing any goals during that time.
“For two periods our fourth line couldn’t get on the ice because we only played about 14 or 15 minutes of five on five hockey”, added Marks. “We were either on the power play or the penalty kill. It was tough to get a flow going.”
Omaha took the lead 2-1 just 2:23 into the second period finally capitalizing on a power play chance with a goal by Greg Gozzo, assisted by Jimmy Murray. Fargo answered back with their first power play tally just three minutes later when Taylor Richart found the back of the net through traffic on a one timer for his fifth goal of the season.
Fargo took their only lead of the game under four minutes later when Jordan Nelson broke away shorthanded and was able to get a wraparound goal, good for his second of the night.
“I felt I played with a lot more confidence tonight and was lucky enough to find the back of the net twice”, said Nelson post-game.
The play finally returned to 5 on 5 hockey in the third with no penalties called during the period. The Lancers were able to tie up the game with a little over ten minutes remaining to play on a goal from Nolan Zajac. Play remained even and after three periods the game was tied up at 3 a piece.
Jimmy Murray and the Lancers finished their comeback win with a goal 2:17 into the extra period for his 12th of the season.
The Force are now 19-15-4 on the season and still sit in fourth place in the Western Conference just two points behind the Waterloo Blackhawks.
Fargo heads out on the road tomorrow to Sioux Falls to take on the Stampede at 7:05. Fans can listen to the game on 740 The FAN or watch via FastHockey.com.
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By, Whitney Baumgartner
