Force Finish Off Fall Classic Strong
September 23, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Fargo Force News Release
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Penn. – The Force finished off the USHL Fall Classic with a dominant 8-0 win against the Madison Capitols on Friday night.
It was back and forth for the opening minutes of the period with both teams seeing quality chances, but at 11:08 in the first period Moorhead native Harper Bentz notched his first USHL goal putting Fargo up 1-0… and the goals did not stop there
Just four minutes later, a deflected shot on goal jumped out to Anthony Menghini, who tucked it in, putting the Force up by two.
Two Capitols penalties gave Fargo a 5-on-3 power-play shortly after Menghini’s goal. A nice passing play between Charlie Russell and Joe Palodichuk eventually found Bret Link, who faked a shot from the point then ripped the puck past the Madison goaltender. The scoring in the first period ended 3-0 in favor of the Force.
Fargo continued their momentum from the opening period, striking once again just four minutes into the second. Harper Bentz controlled the puck from behind the Capitols net, quickly finding Leo Gruba, who’s one-time blast gave the Force a four goal lead.
Force returner Jakob Stender joined in on the fun, with a laser of his own, assisted by 2022 USHL Phase I first-round pick Mac Swanson, at 10:42 of the second period.
Dakota MacIntosh tallied his first of the year on a 1-on-0, splitting the defense and extending the lead to 6-0. Just minutes after, Cole Knuble tallied his second goal of the USHL Fall Classic on a deflection from a Joe Palodichuk shot making it 7-0 Fargo. MacIntosh added an eighth goal late in period 2 bringing the Force lead to 8-0.
The Capitols notched their first goal of the night just over halfway through the third period. The Force led in shots on goal 35-22 with Fargo net minder Matej Marinov stopping 21 of 22.
The Force are back at 7:05 PM CT on Friday, September 30th when they face off against the Green Bay Gamblers in Wisconsin.
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