FARGO, N.D. – The Tri-City Storm (30-13-6) scored three goals in the first period and held off a late comeback by the Fargo Force (20-22-6) to win 3-2 at Scheels Arena on Friday night.

Storm goals were scored by Dan Labosky, Jake Wahlin and Chris Wilkie, while goaltender Jared Rutledge made 22 saves in the victory.

Wilkie’s tally was his 29th of the season, making him the USHL league leader through 49 games.

Labosky gave Tri-City the lead with his fourth goal of the year at 11:37 of the opening period and the Storm held that advantage for the remainder of the night.

Defenseman Bobby Nardella started the play in the offensive zone, moving the puck down low to forward Cody Milan. Milan then moved it across the crease to Labosky, who was open for the finish to make it 1-0.

Three minutes later, Jake Wahlin made it 2-0 Tri-City, scoring his 10th of the season on a rebound in front off a shot by Chase Berger. Defenseman Tory Dello picked up the second assist on the tally.

Wilkie’s goal came less than a minute after Wahlin’s, on a pass from Christopher Brown to put the Storm in front 3-0.

Brown now has three assists in his first four games with Tri-City. Defenseman Kevin Kerr was credited with the second assist on the goal.

After a scoreless second period, the Storm remained in control of the game until Fargo forward CJ Hayes got his team on the board with a goal at 9:21of the third.

Then Denis Smirnov scored his third goal of the weekend on the power play at 14:35, bringing the Force’s deficit to just one goal at 3-2.

But the Storm were able to hold off the late rush by Fargo, and secured two points in the standings.

Mathias Israelsson suffered the loss for the Force, making 31 saves in defeat.

Tri-City is still in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 66 points, three back of Sioux City for the top spot in the west.

The Storm are back in action on Tuesday night in Lincoln, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Kyle Eastman, Mason Appleton and Joel Herbert…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Dan Labosky (Cody Milan, Bobby Nardella) 11:37
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin (Chase Berger, Tory Dello) 14:41
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Christopher Brown, Kevin Kerr) 15:01

2nd Period

(no scoring)

 

3rd Period
Fargo – CJ Hayes (Justin Beaudry) 9:21
Fargo – Denis Smirnov (power play) (Alec Marsh, Justin Beaudry) 14:35

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Roughing), 2 min, 6:03
Fargo – Tim Faulkner – (Roughing), 2 min, 6:03

2nd Period
Fargo – Chuck Bennis – (Elbowing), 2 min, 0:33
Tri-City – Nick Master – (High Sticking), 2 min, 10:45
Tri-City – Wade Allison – (Tripping), 2 min, 14:53

3rd Period
Tri-City – Wade Allison – (Tripping), 2 min, 14:05

Power Play

Tri-City – 0/1

Fargo – 1/3

Shots

Tri-City: 18, 7, 9 = Total: 34
Fargo: 8, 10, 6 = Total: 24

Saves
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 22/24
Fargo – Mathias Israelsson – 31/34