Force grab Clark Cup Finals berth

The Fargo Force didn't like the way Game 4 started.  They fixed that problem tonight as they scored 4:52 into the game and sent the message that this game was going to be different.  The Force had a little bit of a scare late in the first period when Ryan Massa went off the ice with what appeared to be a leg injury and Dayn Belfour came in.  Belfour saw 31 seconds of action after he misplayed the puck leading to the Lancers' tying goal and Massa came back in.  Massa stopped all 8 Lancer shots he faced in the first.

Fargo jumped on the Lancers quickly once again in the second period thanks to a goal with some nifty stickhandling work by JP Burkemper to regain the Force lead 2-1.  Ryan Massa remained in the net for the 2nd period stopping 10 more Omaha shots.

The Lancers got on the board quickly in the third on a tic-tac-toe play on the power play finished off by Troy Power with assists from Ryan Daugherty and Nick Oddo.  Chase Grant would answer on a feed from Colten St. Clair less than three minutes later to regain the lead yet again for the Force.  Grant's goal would be the eventual game winner after Matt Leitner would net another couple of goals (one empty-netter) to finish off the scoring for the Force and send the Lancers home for the season.  Ryan Massa stopped another 10 shots in the third and stopped 27/28 in the 5-2 Force win.

The Force will now compete in their second Clark Cup Finals in their second year in the league.  This time they hope the outcome is a little better against the Green Bay Gamblers after losing to the Indiana Ice in four games in the '09 Finals.

9 comments:

Yeti said...

Congrats, Force!

blades said...

Thanks Yeti. Looks like we'll be back in our seats in section 114 with the drums this season, thank God.

Anonymous said...

na na na na na na na na hey hey hey good bye LANCERS! better luck next year without all of your best players and your goalie!

HockeyTrend said...

Thanks Yeti!

Hopefully this year we get it done and win the Clark Cup. Last year was a great, exciting year but left that bad taste in your mouth after getting so far to lose in the championship. Hopefully this year is different. They are playing the best team in the league. GB will be tough.

Anonymous said...

The Lancers will be rebuilding big time next year, but I believe our goal tending situation won't be a problem. With the little action Keeney seen, he was solid.

I'll admit, game 5 wasn't as good as it could have been. I think the Lancers looked terrible. I noticed that when these two teams aren't on top of their game they are horrid. But I have to give them credit because they made it farther than what I expected. It was a good season overall. Hopefully next year we'll get that thorn that is the out of our sides ;-)

Anyways, good luck to the Force in the Finals. It should be a good series.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree, the Lancers were not on top of their game last night and the Force simply played better. I am sad the season is now over for them, but wish the Force luck in the finals! :)

Anonymous said...

From being at game 5 it seemed that Omaha played like the Force did on Thursday night! Our defense was great and we played like we wanted it more! Well worth the trip to Omaha and now time for GB!! GB know we can play and beat them and their record doesnt mean anything. The Force lost to Lincoln this year and they were the worst team in the division and we were either 1 or 2 (I dont specifically recall) so records dont really mean much it just depends on who wants the win more and who wants the cup in the end!!! GO FORCE!!!!!!!

HockeyTrend said...

Thanks for the nice comments, Lancer fans! Good luck next year.

Anonymous said...

Good luck Fargo against Green Bay. Hopefuuly Corey will be able to return to the lineup. Great season Lancers. Better luck next year.

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