Sioux Falls, S.D. – Tonight, the Sioux Falls Stampede fell to the Fargo Force, 4–2, snapping their eight-game win streak. The Herd saw goals from
Aiden Janz and Tobias Ohman.
Linards Feldbergs was in goal and, despite the loss, turned had an impressive performance.
The first period began with an early penalty to Fargo at 3:47 for high sticking. The Herd was unable to capitalize on the power play, but just after the penalty expired,
Aiden Janz ripped a one-timer from the low slot off a pass from
Christian Chouha. Assists on the play were credited to
Noah Mannausau and
Christian Chouha. Tensions began to rise, but most of the period went without penalties until
Cooper Soller was called for high sticking after things got chippy in front of the Fargo net. Just 19 seconds into the power play, the Force capitalized to tie the game. The period ended tied at one, with the Herd outshooting the Force 15–8.
The second period started slowly, with Fargo taking a tripping penalty at 5:55. The Herd was again unable to convert on the power play. Sioux Falls then took back-to-back penalties, the first at 9:40 to
Anthony Bongo for hooking and the second at 13:32 to
Jack Brauti for cross-checking. The Herd successfully killed off both penalties. Fargo later took another high-sticking penalty, and this time the Herd seized the opportunity. At 17:47, Tobias Ohman found the back of the net off a perfect pass from
Ryder Betzold after the goaltender was too slow to slide across the crease. Assists were credited to
Ryder Betzold and
Christian Chouha. The Force outshot the Herd 16–9 in the second period.
The third period opened with early penalty, as Fargo was called for hooking just 20 seconds in. The Herd was unable to convert on the man advantage. At 6:49, the Force tied the game after the puck rolled off the stick of
Matthew Grimes before he could clear it, Fargo's Mason West knocked it in. Fargo then took the lead at 8:27 with a one-timer that slipped past Feldbergs glove side.
At 17:23, the Herd pulled
Linards Feldbergs for the extra attacker. Although Sioux Falls generated several strong scoring chances, they were unable to get the puck past Force goaltender Ajay White. At 18:37, Fargo sent the puck the length of the ice and into the empty net, sealing the 4–2 victory.
With the loss, Feldbergs now holds a 24-10-1-0 record with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
The Herd returns to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center to take on the Omaha Lancers on Saturday night for Hockey Talks Night presented by Two Men and a Truck. The Herd and Force will have a rematch on Sunday night to close out the weekend. Tickets for the games can be purchased
here.
