FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo Force (20-21-6) got a third period goal from forward Zach Yon and defeated the Tri-City Storm (29-13-6) by a final score of 4-3 at Scheels Arena on Thursday night.

Storm goals were scored by Garrett Gamez, Vince Pedrie and Chris Wilkie in the loss, while forward Mason Appleton had two assists.

Force forward Denis Smirnov came out of the gate quickly for Fargo and scored on each of his first two shifts, giving the Force a 2-0 lead just 2:37into the game.

After the two quick goals, Storm head coach Jim Hulton elected to pull starting netminder Jared Rutledge from the game in favor of Alec Dillon.

Dillon remained in the net for the remainder of the contest, making 15 saves.

Tri-City got on the board and cut Fargo’s deficit on a power play goal by Gamez at 8:01 of the opening period.

With Appleton coming out of the penalty box after serving time for a hooking penalty, Nick Master completed a pass with the Michigan State commit to start a rush into Fargo’s zone. Appleton then centered the puck to Gamez, who was alone in front of the Force’s net. The Chino Hills, Calif. native made a move to his backhand and scored his 13th goal of the season to make it 2-1.

With the goal, Gamez extended his point-scoring streak to eight games.

Later in the first, Fargo went back up by two on a goal by Brody Stevens at 13:04.

But Pedrie scored his 11th of the season and second with the Storm to cut the lead back to 3-2 before the end of the first period. Assists on the goal were credited to Kevin Kerr and Conner Valesano.

In the middle frame, Tri-City found the equalizer on Wilkie’s 14th power play goal of the season. Also the forward’s league leading 28th goal, Wilkie was set up by Appleton while coming into the offensive zone on a power play rush. The Omaha native ripped a wrist shot glove side that got over the Fargo goaltender Mathias Israelsson.

With the game tied in the third period, Yon’s winning goal was all Fargo needed to secure the win.

Tri-City had chances to tie the game late, and Hulton pulled Dillon in favor of an extra attacker, but it wasn’t enough.

Israelsson earned the win, making 26 saves for the Force.

Tri-City is still in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 64 points, three back of Sioux City for the top spot in the west.

The two teams will finish their weekend series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Nolan Aibel and Joel Herbert, along with defenseman Jason Krych…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Fargo – Denis Smirnov (TJ Roo, Alec Marsh) 0:30
Fargo – Denis Smirnov (Alec Marsh) 2:37
Tri-City – Garrett Gamez (power play) (Mason Appleton, Nick Master)
Fargo – Brody Stevens (Jack Jenkins) 13:04
Tri-City – Vince Pedrie (Conner Valesano, Kevin Kerr) 14:17

2nd Period

Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (power play) (Mason Appleton, Bobby Nardella) 8:14

 

3rd Period
Fargo – Zach Yon (Jack Jenkins) 7:49

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Mason Appleton – (Hooking), 2 min, 5:53
Fargo – Shane McMahan – (Tripping), 2 min, 7:27
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie – (Interference), 2 min, 14:43

2nd Period
Fargo – Justin Baudry – (Interference), 2 min, 7:49
Fargo – Justin Baudry – (Fighting), 5 min, 10:51
Fargo – Justin Baudry – (Fighting) (Misconduct), 10 min, 10:51
Tri-City – Cody Milan – (Fighting), 5 min, 10:51
Tri-City – Cody Milan – (Fighting) (Misconduct), 10 min, 10:51
Fargo – Brody Stevens – (Interference), 2 min, 12:36
Fargo – Sean Mostrom – (Roughing), 2 min, 18:27

3rd Period
(no penalties)

Power Play

Tri-City – 2/4

Fargo – 0/2

Shots

Tri-City: 5, 12, 12 = Total: 29
Fargo: 9, 3, 8 = Total: 20

Saves
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 1/3, Alec Dillon – 15/17
Fargo – Mathias Israelsson – 26/29