SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— The Sioux Falls Stampede knocked down the Anderson Cup Champion Fargo Force on Saturday night, 8-1, for the last regular-season game. Zach Nehring marked his second hat trick of the season with Michael Chambre letting in just one goal from Fargo.

The Herd grabbed four unanswered goals in the first period, coming from John McNelis, Zach Nehring, Grant Dillard and Chase LaPinta. Adding onto the lead in the second, the Herd added two more unanswered goals, one from Tyler Borgula followed by Zach Nehring's second of the night.

Fargo was able to tab its only goal of the night 1:04 into the third frame when Michael Neumeier slipped one past Michael Chambre. Zach Nehring tallied his hat trick with 10:47 expired, assisted by Hunter Anderson and Noah Eyre. Gennadi Chaly added one final tick to the Herd's scoreboard with help from Grant Dillard, closing the score at 8-1 in favor of the Herd.

Michael Chambre tied his season best save percentage with a .968. He stopped 30-of-31 shots on his net for a 1.00 goals-against average, tying his season best once again. Chambre now has an overall record of 17-12-4-1.

The Herd will now begin the first round of playoffs by travelling to Kearney, Neb. to take on the Tri-City Storm. The first round of playoffs begin Monday, Apr. 15 with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. The first round is a best-of-three series with all three consecutive games at the higher seed. From here, the winner of the series will take on the Fargo Force in round two.

Herd fans don't have to say goodbye to Stampede hockey just yet as the team has watch parties planned for all three of the games at the Dawley Farms Village Buffalo Wild Wings. Fans that come in their Stampede gear will receive a free chips and dip for their table. As playoffs move along, if the Herd makes it past round one, there will be more information released as soon as possible.