Fargo, ND – The Fargo force dropped Game 2 of the Clark Cup Final to the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday night 2-1 in overtime. Matej Marinov played phenomenally, stopping 24 of 25 shots on goal despite the defeat. In the Youngstown net, Jacob Fowler turned aside 30 of 31 attempts.
Fargo started the first period with urgency as Jacob Napier had the first look in the first minute, which grounded into the glove of Fowler. Anthony Menghini got behind the defense on a would be stretch pass, but he couldn't receive the puck. Youngstown's William Whitelaw barreled into Marinov at 4:17, giving Fargo their first power play on a charging call. The Force cycled the puck incredibly well, and had nearly 90 seconds of straight zone time, but late clears by the Phantoms prevented a tally. Youngstown had a couple of chances on Marinov, but the Quinnipiac commit prevented any high danger opportunities. Napier came in tight on Fowler, who punched the shot away. After being hemmed in their own zone for a few shifts, Fargo started the breakout again led by Cole Knuble. Knuble made an fabulous pass from his knees to Mac Swanson that was somehow denied by Fowler. Charlie Russell and Youngstown's Jack Wilson were issued offsetting minor penalties at 14:32, resulting in a 4 on 4. The 4 on 4 was uneventful, but its fast pace gave the Force an edge. This extra confidence allowed Joe Palodichuk to split the Phantom defensemen, but couldn't pull the trigger. Zam Plante hit the post on a rebound shot, that careened into the corner afterwards. Fargo elevated their pressure in the offensive zone to round out this scoreless period.
Right out of the gate in the second period, Owen Mehlenbacher and Jakob Stender had a 2 on 1 that didn't connect. On the ensuing rush for Youngstown, Mehlenbacher back checked to prevent a clean shot without taking a penalty. The Phantoms continued onward as Miles Gunty scored his second goal in as many nights at 2:49 striking first for a 1-0 lead. Mehlenbacher had another great chance, this time trying to jam the puck five hole on Fowler. The goal by Gunty gave the Phantoms energy, as they bottlenecked the Force in the defensive zone. Kevin Scott got a cross checking penalty at 4:55, sending Youngstown to their first power play. Fargo kept things to the perimeter, and a couple of clears brought the Force back to full strength. Scott flew out the penalty box on a break, but shot the puck wide of the net. Bret Link went backhand on a bouncing puck to even the game 1-1 at 9:27. Jake Fisher created a turnover and blasted a shot on Fowler, and the rebound wouldn't go before the puck was smothered. Girts Silkalns rushed with Mehlenbacher on a 2 on 1, but Youngstown's Andrew Centrella dove in the way of the drive. Swanson kept the zone on his hands and knees, allowing for a 3 on 1 but couldn't breach Fowler. Link was whistled for charging at 18:56 sending Youngstown to the man advantage. After some stellar penalty killing by Fargo, the Phantoms were left with 56 seconds of carryover power play time.
The third period started out chaotically, as the Phantoms came out with fire trying to capitalize with the time they had left on their power play. Despite not scoring on the man advantage, Youngstown had nearly two full minutes of continuous pressure in the Fargo zone before the Force iced the puck. Coach Nick Oliver wisely used his timeout afterwards and it seemed to help out, as Fargo broke the puck out a number of times, including Brasen Boser bringing the puck to the crease where Link whacked at the puck before being covered by Fowler. Marinov came up huge after a giveaway by the Force allowed Tyler Catalano to come right on net. Fargo had a 3 on 1 with speed, but Palodichuk fanned on the shot. Verner Miettinen went one on one with Fowler off a Silkalns rebound, but the Phantom goalie flashed the leather to keep the game tied. The puck then took an odd bounce in the air, landing on top of the net off the end boards after a shot by Miettinen. Youngstown had a 2 on 1 with Whitelaw and Nick Williams, but Whitleaw had it poked away from him harmlessly into the corner. Link tried a power move opportunity but he was hauled down. The final stretch of regulation was a track meet up and down the ice, with chippy play sprinkled in before heading to overtime.
Knuble had the game on his stick in the first rush of overtime, but Fowler kicked out his right pad to continue the extra frame. Fargo buzzed around controlling the pace of the game early, before being bottlenecked in their own end for a long shift. The Force gave it away in their own end, where it was corralled by Shane Lachance for Youngstown before being absorbed by Marinov. Andon Cerbone received a pass from Jake Rozzi, and Cerbone ended the game 2-0 on a top shelf shot at 6:59.
Game 3 of the Clark Cup Finals goes to Youngstown on Friday May 19 with puck drop at 6:05pm CST. Tickets can purchased online under the 'Tickets' tab on the Fargo Force website or by clicking HERE
