Campbell update

Former Fargo Force goalie Cody Campbell got in his first USHL fight and had an interview with Kevin Wey of McKeen's Hockey Prospects.  The video is below and here is the link for the interview.  The good news for Force fans is that Cody Campbell is playing another year for Cedar Rapids which means that the Force gets another 2nd or 3rd round draft pick.

Resurgence of Cody Campbell

Former Fargo Force goaltender Cody Campbell has been a breath of fresh air for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.  The trade between the Fargo Force and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders sent what was supposed to be the starting goaltender for the Force for the year to Cedar Rapids in exchange for a conditional draft pick.

Campbell struggled in Fargo early in the season and requested a trade for a fresh start to better his USHL career and it has been paying dividends for the Roughriders and Campbell.  Campbell has posted a 2-1-1 record, a .941 save percentage and a 1.76 GAA for the Riders.

It's nice to see a good kid doing so well in a new environment.  It's also good for the Fargo Force that he is doing so well right now because the conditions of the trade was that if Campbell had good numbers for save percentage with the Roughriders, the Force would get a 2nd round pick next year.  If Campbell struggled in Cedar Rapids, the Force would get a 3rd rounder.  With a shutout in his last game against one of the top offensive teams in Omaha and two goals against in his last three starts, it looks like Cody will be just fine in Cedar Rapids.

Cody Campbell traded to Cedar Rapids

According to the Pointstreak USHL transactions, Fargo Force goaltender Cody Campbell has been traded to Cedar Rapids.  Kerry Collins is stating on his blog that the Force are getting either a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for next year out of the deal, depending on Campbell's save percentage.  If Campbell plays the following season with Cedar Rapids, the Force will get another 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for the following season.  Ryan Massa and Dayn Belfour will be the Fargo Force goaltenders as of right now. 

Cody Campbell is a great goalie and a great person.  Hopefully the change of scenery will benefit him and his hockey career.

Force lose in Clark Cup Final rematch

Corey Leivermann was able to keep his hot streak going with two assists, but Fargo wasn't as they fell to the defending Clark Cup champions 6-3 in Indiana.

Fargo dominated on the shot counter in the first period, but were unable to capitalize.  Indiana managed to take advantage of the few opportunities they had and got a goal in the opening stanza from Kevin Goumas.  Indiana only managed four shots in the first period.  Fargo rifled ten on Indiana goalie, Cab Morris, but Morris was equal to the task in the first.

Indiana broke the game wide open in the second with four goals, forcing Ryan Holfeld out of the net and onto the bench.  Holfeld stopped 8 out of 12 in the first half of the game.  Cody Campbell came in when it was 4-0 and only let in one goal in the game (only goal coming in the 2nd period). 

Fargo made their comeback in the third period on a power play goal from Nate Condon.  Condon was assisted by Oleg Yevenko and Corey Leivermann.  Chase Grant narrowed the score to 5-2 on a goal three and a half minutes later with assists from Condon and Leivermann. 

Fargo would get a power play with about five minutes left in the game.  The opportunity opted Coach Johnson to pull Campbell and it paid off and gave the Force some hope.  Fargo would get that goal from Colten St. Clair on assists from Johnnie Searfoss and Matt Leitner.  With 4:16 remaining and only a two goal deficit, Fargo was within striking distance of pushing it to overtime.  Fargo continued to try to keep the magic going with the empty net and Indiana was able to capitalize, scoring another goal to finish off the game 6-3.  Cody Campbell finished the game with 14 saves on 15 shots in relief of Holfeld.

Fargo will try for a split as they play the Ice again tomorrow in another Clark Cup Final rematch game.

Series Preview: Chicago Steel @ Fargo Force

One of the hottest teams in the USHL will be facing off against the Fargo Force this weekend, November 6-7.  Fargo will once again be without three of their top players, St. Clair, McDermott and Leitner, as they are playing in the World Junior A Challenge in Summerside, P.E.I.  Chicago will also be missing their top defenseman, Kevin Lind, for the same reason. 

Chicago hasn't had to rely on Kevin Lind as much as Fargo has had to rely on the top trio missing for this weekend's action.  Chicago has the most powerful offense in the USHL as they lead the league in goals this year (45).  Three of the five USHL leaders in scoring are from Chicago.  Sahir Gill leads the team with 17 points (4g, 13a), Mark Anthoine leads the team in goals with 10 and has added 5 assists for a total of 15 points.  Andrei Kuchin has also been quite the dishmaster for the Steel, posting 13 assists this year.  Kuchin has also added a couple of goals for a total of 15 points.

Chicago will also be bringing along an NHL legend's son, Jake Chelios, son of Chris Chelios.  He is sixth in team scoring with 2 goals and 8 assists.

If there is a chink in the Steel's armor, it has been in between the pipes for Chicago.  Nick Pisellini has been the go to goalie for the Steel so far, posting up 6 wins but a weak 3.13 GAA and .887 Save %.  Connor Wilson hasn't had much luck so far backing up Pisellini.  Wilson has one win in two games but a 5.05 GAA and a .851 Save %.

Fargo will be leaning on secondary scoring once again with the absences of three top players.  They may be able to put some pucks in the net against Chicago, but with Chicago's offense Fargo will need to play well defensively and in between the pipes.  Cody Campbell and Ryan Holfeld will be key if the Force plan on winning this weekend.

Cody Campbell Interview

Special thanks to Cody Campbell for doing this interview for us.  He was very happy to do it, and very willing to answer all of our questions.  Thank you to all who posted questions to ask Cody in the interview.

FFB: What do each of the symbols on the back of your helmet mean to you?

Cody: I try to keep most of my helmets team related but on almost all of my masks I have used the back plate as a personal thing. I have a Colorado flag, which obviously represents where I'm from and inside of the flag I have the name Brody. Brody was an infant brother of a very close friend and teammate that unfortunately died of SIDS only two months after he was born just over a year and a half ago. So I like to honor Brody and his family with his name on my helmet. Under the Colorado Flag, I have two crossing Pick Axes with a rose going through them. The Pick Axes was the logo of the Pikes Peak Miners which was my midget hockey team and without that organization I definitely would not be where I am today. The rose is for my little sister Cierra. Rose is her middle name and she is without a doubt my biggest fan. She never missed a home game when I was still playing at home and she sacrificed a lot just to watch me play. Even when I have a bad game, or whatever, she always thinks I play amazing. So even on the road when we have no fans and the environment is tough to play in, I always know I've got my biggest fan there with me.

FFB: Do you feel more comfortable in the USHL this year vs. last year, with a year under your belt?

Cody: I feel 10 times more comfortable this year. Last year was a big transition not only on the ice but also moving away from your family at 16 and being on your own at such a young age is quite an adjustment.

FFB: What is your pregame preparation like? Do you have any pregame rituals? Any superstitions?
 
Cody: My game prep is very intense. Goaltender is a very mental position so you have to do everything you can to be as focused as possible. With that I do have an infinite number of rituals and superstitions. I could write a 500 page book on all of those, so just a few of the things I do off the ice on game days are: at home, subway is always my pregame meal.  I always warm up in my track suit and I never leave my house to go to a game or on a road trip without my closet door and door to my room being shut. That's the mild stuff, too. People aren't lying when they say goalies are a bit different.
 
FFB: What is your goal in life (Hockey or non-hockey related)?

Cody: I really couldn't see life without hockey. I would love to be able to play at a high level for as long as possible but once I am done playing I would really like to be able to coach at a high level as well.

FFB: Who outside of your own family has influenced you the most on the ice and off the ice as well?

Cody: My Midget AAA coach, Luc Trombetta, has no doubt been that person. He taught me numerous things on the ice but even more about things away from the rink. We have a very close relationship and still talk at least twice a week.

FFB: What do you like to do in the summer time and down time during the season?

Cody: During the off-season I love playing golf with my dad, grandpa or some buddies.  I normally play 3 times a week during the summer. During the season when we have down time at night I normally just relax, watch some hockey, do some homework, and occasionally hang out with a girl.

FFB: How would you describe your style of goaltending?

Cody: I like to think I kind of have my own style. I play butterfly a lot but I also make kick saves and skate saves which is uncharacteristic of a butterfly goalie. I guess I just like to be athletic and make saves. I don't think I really fall into any one category.

FFB: Who is your favorite goalie (past and/or present)?

Cody: My favorite goalie is Martin Brodeur because he competes so hard and, kind of like me, doesn't really fall into one category of style. Plus, he wins a lot.

FFB: Who did you idolize growing up? (Who did you want to "be"?)

Cody: Being from Colorado, I idolized Patrick Roy. Much like Brodeur, he competed so hard and he won a lot too.

Questions to ask Cody Campbell

I recently talked to Cody Campbell, and he is willing to do an interview for our blog site.  I would like to hear from you, the readers, what you would like to ask Cody Campbell.  I want to shape this interview based on what you have been wondering about.

I have gotten some feedback from some members of Forcehockey.com and here is what we have so far:

1. What do the symbols on the back of your helmet mean to you?
2. Do you feel more comfortable in the USHL this year vs. last year, with a year under your belt?
3. What is your pregame preparation like?  Do you have any pregame rituals?  Any superstitions?
4. What is your goal in life (Hockey or non-hockey related)?
5. Who outside of your own family has influenced you the most on the ice and off the ice as well?
6. What do you like to do in the summer time and down time during the season?
7. How would you describe your style of goaltending?
8. Who is your favorite goalie (past and/or present)?
9. Who did you idolize growing up?  (Who did you want to "be"?)
10. How old were you when you first started to play hockey? Were you always a goalie?

Add your question in a comment below...

Sioux Falls tops Fargo

Sioux Falls was able to overcome a 2 goal deficit in the 2nd period and capitalize on key power play opportunities to defeat the Force 4-3 on Friday night at the Urban Plains Center.  The one goal decision is the 7th out of 10 all time games between the two franchises.

Both teams were able to capitalize on power play opportunities as Fargo was 3-6 on the power play and Sioux Falls was 3-10 before getting the first even strength goal in the third period from Matt Zarbo, that ended up as the game winner.

Goal scorers for the Force were Matt Leitner, Nate Schmidt and Nate Condon.  Assisting on the three goals was Colten St. Clair on the Leitner's goal, and Eamonn McDermott and Matt Leitner on Nate Condon's goal late in the 2nd period.

Cody Campbell stopped 12 of 16 shots for Fargo and Chimienti stopped 14 of 17 for the herd.  The loss drops Fargo to 1-2 on the season.  Fargo's next games are October 16 at Tri-City, and October 17 at Omaha. Their next home game is October 30 against the Youngstown Phantoms.