RECAP: Fargo Force Drop Game 4 in OT, Set for Decisive Game Five Tuesday

FARGO (KVRR) – The Western Conference Finals is headed to a winner-take-all Game Five after the Sioux Falls Stampede edged the Fargo Force 2-1 in overtime Saturday night at Scheels Arena.

Coming off the longest game in Force franchise history — a triple-overtime victory Friday night — Fargo found itself in another marathon battle less than 24 hours later. This time, though, the extra session ended in heartbreak.

Force goaltender Ajay White was stellar between the pipes, stopping 51 of the first 52 shots he faced and keeping Fargo in the game throughout the night. But on Sioux Falls’ 53rd shot, Thomas Zocco found the back of the net in overtime to even the best-of-five series at two games apiece.

Fargo struck first in the opening period when Arseni Marchenko scored to give the Force a 1-0 lead.

The Stampede answered in the second period as Noah Mannausau tied the game at one.

Sioux Falls goaltender Linards Feldbergs turned away 48 of 49 Fargo shots in the win.

Despite the loss, Force head coach Brett Skinner said his team remains confident heading into the deciding game.

“You know, it’s the playoffs. It’s a five-game series. It’s not like the NCAA where it’s one and done,” Skinner said. “You’re allowed to lose hockey games. I thought, for the most part, our effort was really strong. It’s tight margins in the playoffs.”

Skinner also pointed to the growth his young team continues to show throughout the postseason.

“When you make a mistake, you’ve got to learn from it really quick,” Skinner said. “But it’s awesome when you start to figure things out and you get a chance to win through that. Tonight you’re on the wrong side of it, but at the end of the day, it’s a five-game series.”

Game Five is set for Tuesday night back in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The winner will advance to the Clark Cup Finals.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.