SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Tuesday night at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center features the fifth game between the Sioux Falls Stampede and Fargo Force this season, with Fargo having swept all four games so far.
The Stampede and Force last met on Saturday night, with the Force taking the game in Sioux Falls with a dominant third-period performance and a 5-1 final. Through the four meetings between the two teams this season, Fargo has outscored the Herd 17-4. Saturday's tilt resulted in four players from Sioux Falls (Herres, Clark, Bonkov and Waltze) as well as one player from Fargo being suspended for at least one game, leaving the Stampede roster depleted. Affiliate players Samuel Fishbone and Greyson Medak have joined the roster and are both available to play on Tuesday night.
Stampede head coach
Ryan Cruthers has already mentioned that he wants to see a higher compete level from his team, and another matchup at home against the Fargo Force would be a great time to see it.
Stampede Players To Watch
Cooper Soller may be the Stampede player with the most eyes on him this season, but he's also set the standard for himself and is looking to meet his own expectations. Soller has been held off the scoresheet for his last three games, and hasn't found the back of the net in his last six, but don't expect that to continue. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect can be the one to right the ship for himself and lead the way for the rest of the Herd as well.
With the assist on the only Stampede goal on Saturday night,
Matthew Portz showed a step up in his game from behind the net, making a pass to
Pavel Martinu, who completed the play to light the lamp. Portz was one of two players, along with tender
Dylan Delgado, mentioned by head coach
Ryan Cruthers as having a good game on Saturday. Look for Portz to continue taking steps in the right direction, and don't be surprised if he, Martinu and Delgado remain on a line together for at least one more game.
2010-born defenseman Samuel Fishbone is expected to get his first taste of USHL action, and it will be a big test for him, against a Fargo Force team that is on a four-game win streak and has won nine of their last 10.
Force Players To Watch
Defenseman AJ Francisco leads the Fargo Force in points, with 21 (5G, 16A) through 16 games this season, with two of his goals and seven of his assists coming against the Stampede. The Herd are going to have to find a way to shut Francisco down in their fifth meeting.
In a similar vein to Francisco, Bryce Mattern has seen plenty of success against the Stampede already this season, with seven of his 20 points coming against the Herd. Mattern picked up a hat trick against Sioux Falls back on October 10, as Fargo proceeded to shut out the Herd 5-0.
Goaltender Sam Hrenak was out with an illness on Saturday, but if he's healthy and available to play for the Force on Tuesday night, he will be an obstacle to overcome all on his own. The Winnipeg Jets draft pick leads all USHL goaltenders in wins (10), GAA (2.10) and SV% (0.934).
About The Sioux Falls Stampede
Established in 1999, the Sioux Falls Stampede is a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of both NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The organization has set out to achieve excellence in on- and off-ice performance since its inception. The Sioux Falls Stampede plays home games out of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, providing players with a taste of high-stakes, high-adrenaline hockey in front of sold-out crowds of over 11,000 fans.
