SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Stampede will close out the unofficial first half of the season with a trip to Fargo, N.D., and a home game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. After traveling to Fargo on Friday night, the Stampede will host the RoughRiders for their annual Pink in the Rink game.

The Stampede enter the weekend after suffering a tough loss to the Lincoln Stars on Tuesday night. After scoring just 37 seconds into the game, the Herd surrendered four goals across the first two periods to fall into a three-goal deficit. In the third period, Logan Renkowski and Nick Snyder each scored to bring the Herd within one. The team continued a late offensive push but couldn't get the puck past Lincoln goaltender William Prowse. In the final seconds, Lincoln scored an empty-netter to seal a 5-3 loss for the Herd.

First, the Herd will take on the Fargo Force, who were swept by the league-leading Muskegon Lumberjacks last weekend. On Friday night in Michigan, the Force went down 2-0 early in the second period but managed to score at 5:52. That goal would be their only tally, giving Muskegon another win. Scoring picked up on Saturday with four goals in the first period. Two Lumberjacks goals in the second separated the teams, and with the Force unable to score in the third, they took another loss.

The Force and Herd are separated by six points in the Western Conference standings, but the Herd will face a challenge on Friday night as they take on the league's top goaltender, Ajay White. White is 10-3-0 this season with a 1.83 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. The last time the Herd faced White, Brock Schultz scored both Stampede goals.

The Herd will also look to capitalize on special teams, as the Force continue to struggle on both the power play and penalty kill. Fargo is 9-for-57 (15.8%) on the power play compared to the Herd's 33-for-127 (26%). On the penalty kill, Fargo sits at 77.3% while the Herd holds a 78.9% mark.

Fargo will aim to improve their position in the Western Conference after going 5-5-0-0 in their last ten games. Before facing the Herd, the Force will host the Sioux City Musketeers on Thursday night.
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders come to Sioux Falls for their only game of the weekend after a three-in-three stretch last week. They first traveled to Geneva, Ill., to take on the Chicago Steel. After a back-and-forth game, the Steel earned the win in a shootout. The RoughRiders then traveled to Dubuque on Saturday, falling 5-3, before finishing the weekend on a high note with a 4-2 win over the Madison Capitols.
Cedar Rapids currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 33 points, just two behind the Herd. They are 6-2-1-1 in their last ten games.

The RoughRiders' biggest scoring threat, Jason Musa, has 27 points in 24 games with nine goals and 18 assists. They also have strong rookie production in David Bosco, who is two points behind Cooper Soller for the rookie scoring lead. Cedar Rapids boasts a strong defensive core as well, with three skaters in the top 20 in defensive scoring and league-wide plus/minus rating. In the crease, Ryan Cameron is 11-4-0-3 with a 2.93 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage, placing him just outside the top ten.

The Stampede last hosted the RoughRiders on October 25 for Military Appreciation Night, where Sioux Falls earned a 4-2 win. The Herd gave up the first goal at 6:43 of the first period, but Thomas Zocco opened the scoring for Sioux Falls just 3:13 into the second. Goals from Juho Keinanen and Ryder Betzold pushed the Stampede to a 3-1 lead, and an empty-netter from Joey Macrina sealed the victory.

For their final game before the USHL holiday break, the Stampede will host their annual Pink in the Rink game. The first 1,000 fans will receive an ugly sweater beanie courtesy of Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. The Herd will wear specialty jerseys to be auctioned off throughout the game, with proceeds benefiting Voices Against Cancer. The organization will also recognize individuals who have fought or are currently fighting cancer during the Stomp Out Cancer pregame ceremony. Fans are invited to honor those impacted by cancer with "I Fight For" signs, which will be held up during a tribute in the second period. Special pink merchandise will also be available at the Herd Hockey Shop. Following the game, fans can join the team on the pink ice for a post-game skate party.