KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm (20-33-3) got two goals from Chase Berger and defeated the Fargo Force (12-39-6) 4-1 at Scheels Arena on Friday night.

Storm netminder Hayden Lavigne made 38 saves in the win, while Jake Wahlin and Ryan McMurphy also scored goals for Tri-City.

Wahlin found the back of the net for the second time in as many games late in the first period, taking a pass from linemate Garrett Gamez and beating Fargo goaltender Mathias Israelsson with a quick release. The goal gave Tri-City the initial 1-0 lead and was the second tally for Wahlin, who was playing in his sixth USHL game as an affiliate this season.

Tri-City expanded their lead in the middle period when McMurphy had a highlight reel goal for his 11th of the season. The forward walked the goal line and shoved the puck past the outstretched pad of Israelsson to make it 2-0.

Less than a minute later however, the Force got on the board when Mikey Eyssimont scored off a two-on-one opportunity to make it 2-1. The puck, which deflected in off the stick of Storm defenseman Jalen Schulz, was the only one to get by Lavigne on the night.

Berger scored twice in a span of just over three minutes to open up the game and give the Storm a 4-1 lead.

The St. Louis native’s first tally came on a one-timer in the slot off a pass from Dan Labosky. His second was a deflection off an initial shot by Tory Dello. Berger now has 14 goals on the season.

The win was the first in Fargo for Tri-City since February 11, 2012.

Tri-City and Fargo will rematch Saturday night at Scheels Arena for their final meeting of the season at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Nolan Aibel, Drew Mayer, Kyle Eastman, and Nick Hutchison, along with defensemen Cutler Martin, Sean Lang, Fredric Larsson and goaltender Jacob Johansson…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Tri-City – Jake Wahlin (Garrett Gamez) 15:52

2nd Period

Tri-City – Ryan McMurphy (Patrick Curry, Kevin Kerr) 3:17
Fargo – Mikey Eyssimont (Garick Gray, Cam Ashley) 3:53
Tri-City – Chase Berger (Daniel Labosky, Austin Poganski) 6:46
Tri-City – Chase Berger (Tory Dello, Daniel Labosky) 9:58

3rd Period

(no scoring)

PENALTIES

1st Period

Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 11:12

2nd Period

Fargo – Michael Babcock – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 16:21

Tri-City – Patrick Curry – (Facemask), 2 min, 19:33

3rd Period

Tri-City – Austin Poganski – (Checking From Behind) (Double Minor), 4 min, 3:59
Tri-City – Austin Poganski – (Checking From Behind), 10 min, 3:59

Power Play

Tri-City –0/1

Fargo – 0/4

Shots

Tri-City: 6, 14, 2, = Total: 22
Fargo: 7, 14, 18, = Total: 39

Saves

Tri-City – Hayden Lavigne – 38/39
Fargo – Mathias Israelsson – 18/22