Fargo ND – The Fargo Force came up just short in a close game against Sioux City Friday night, losing 3-2. Fargo have now dropped five in a row, their longest losing streak on the season. Both teams at one point had the lead, with neither being able to convert on the man advantage, as the Force went 0-2 and the Musketeers went 0-3. Matej Marinov stopped 32 of 35 shots for Fargo, while Samuel Urban halted 34 of 36 attempts on net.
Despite the loss, the Force still hold strong to their first place position in the western conference with a record of 36-13-2-4 and 78 points. Sioux City on the other hand, stays solid in fifth place with a record of 25-24-2-3 and 55 points.
The Force started of the scoring from Cole Knuble at 12:07, splitting both Musketeer defensemen before shooting it top corner. Mac Swanson had the only assist which marked his 10th assist in 9 games and 50th point of the season. The Force drove hard to the net all period, resulting in some shoving after the whistles. Sioux City struck back six minutes later, evening the game 1-1 at 18:07. Tomi Leppanen scored high blocker side on Marinov on a feed from Tyler Hotson for the Musketeers.
After a carryover penalty to Fargo expired early in the second period, Hotson gave Sioux City their first lead of the night. Hotson earned his second point with the goal, scored at 1:54. Chippy play continued into the second, as Bret Link dropped the mitts with Easton Zueger at 7:32. Owen Mehlenbacher evened the game up 2-2 at 10:14 after some hard work and a pass from Zam Plante behind the Musketeer net.
Fargo controlled the first half of the third period, but it was Sioux City clawing ahead 3-2 at 8:38. Ty Hanson launched the puck from the point for the Musketeers, while Sam Deckhut screened Marinov. Head Coach Nick Oliver pulled Marinov for the extra attacker at 18:18, but Sioux City held on despite overwhelming pressure late from Fargo.
The Force travel to Sioux City to play these same Musketeers at the Tyson Event Center. Puck drop is at 6:05 pm CST, streaming on Flo Hockey and 101.9 FM Jack FM.
