Fargo, ND – The Fargo Force broke their single season point record and locked up the No. 1 seed in the western conference despite losing the Lincoln Stars in overtime 4-3. The Stars scored scored two unanswered goals in the final minute of regulation to tie the game, and won it 27 seconds into overtime. With the overtime loss, the Force moved to 38-13-4-4 and 84 points, breaking their record for points in a season set back in the 2012-13 season. Fargo also clinched the No.1 seed in the western conference, giving them home a first round bye in the playoffs and home ice advantage against all western conference teams. Force goaltender Anton Castro stopped 32 of 36 shots on goal. On the flip side, the Stars jump to 36-19-3-1 and 76 points while currently sitting in 3rd place in the western conference. Cameron Whitehead turned aside 34 of 36 shots on goal.
The hostilities between these two western conference teams started out early in the first period. Former Fargo forward German Yavash and Bret Link were assessed offsetting minor penalties resulting in a 4 on 4 at 4:04. Jack Larrigan tripped up Charlie Russell driving hard to the net resulting in a Force power play at 9:15. Fargo cycled well, but couldn't put the puck past Whitehead. Fargo got another chance on the man advantage at 13:28, but couldn't convert despite a plethora of chances. Despite being heavily outshot by the Force, Lincoln made a push late in the period but Castro stonewalled all that was thrown at him in the first.
Fargo wasted no time starting their offensive gears in the second period, as Owen Mehlenbacher had a breakaway but fanned on the shot. Kyle Smolen then hit the far side post on a turnaround shot minutes later. The Force was given their third power play of the night at 3:48 but aggressive penalty killing by the Stars prevented any scoring for Fargo. Harper Bentz drove to the blue paint on a rush, but Whitehead covered up any potential rebound. Cole Knuble had one of many chances for the Force but Whitehead again came up with a big save.
Lincoln had their first power play at 8:20 off a Jacob Napier cross checking call. Jakob Stender received a 10 minute misconduct at 9:13 but it did not impact the successful penalty kill. The Stars went back to the man advantage after a Charlie Russell charging penalty, but kept Lincoln almost completely out of the offensive zone. Unfortunately, Lincoln grabbed the 1-0 lead late in the period from Doug Grimes at 15:15 on a two on one play. Mehlenbacher was called for high sticking at 17:51, but Knuble drew a slashing penalty on Antonio Fernandez during a shorthanded opportunity at 18:22.
The Force had 22 seconds of carryover power play time into the third period, but were unable to establish pressure with limited time. Lincoln controlled the early momentum, preventing Fargo from getting a shot on goal until 4:51. The Force gained another man advantage off a fifth Stars penalty at 8:49 for checking from behind but they couldn't slip a shot past Whitehead. Despite the early troubles in the third, Leo Gruba scored in tight at 15:13, assisted by Mehlenbacher and Zam Plante. The assist by Mehlenbacher gives him a six game point streak. Bret Link quickly gave Fargo a 2-1 lead on a penalty shot at 16:39 on a stutter step backhand move.
Whitehead was pulled for the extra attacker at 18:31, and Smolen took a slashing penalty at 18:40 resulting in a 6 on 4 for Lincoln. However, Link scored in the empty net at 19:12 giving Fargo a 3-1 lead. Unbelievably, two quick goals for Lincoln by Mason Marcellus at 19:19 and Grimes' second of the night at 19:59 sent this game to overtime. Lincoln came out swinging in overtime, and Boston Buckberger scored the game winning goal 27 seconds into overtime on a feed from Fernandez.
Fargo recoils for a final regular season home game against the Lincoln Stars tomorrow night, Saturday, April 15. Puck drop is at 6:05pm CST.
