FARGO, ND. – The Lancers made the trek north to take on the top team in the United States Hockey League, the Fargo Force.
 
Fargo came into tonight (2/16) with an impressive 34-5-2-0 record on the season, setting them on a pace to be the first USHL team to notch 100 points in a 62-game stretch.
 
The Lancers have not seen the Force since their series back in Omaha on October 27^th and 28^th, 2023. The Lancers put up a heck of a fight against the top team, falling 4-3 in overtime and 4-2.
 
After 20 minutes of play, the Lancers were out shot 16-9, but got to the locker room with a scoreless tie.
 
First period highlights included 16 first period saves by Omaha Goaltender, Mikhail Yegorov and the Lancers shutting down Fargo's power-play which sits at the top of the USHL a 33.3 percent coming into tonight.
 
The second period was nothing like the first as there was two goals scored for each squad.
 
The Force tallied the first goal of the evening just 2:24 into the second period with a top shelf snapshot from Iiro Hakkarainen for his 14^th of the season. However, the Lancers got that back just over two minutes later as David Deputy picked up a pass from Ryan Kusler that was tipped off the skate of Drew DellaSalla to lock the game up at one. Handing Deputy his 12^th goal of the season, only trailing Nick Pierre in leading scorers for the Lancers.
 
Cam VanSickle would go five-hole on Fargo Goaltender, Hampton Slukynsky on a breakaway to take the lead just three minutes later off a stretch passes from Rylan Brady and Lucas Brennan.
 
The Force found themselves with a good amount of momentum late in the period as they buried a goal from Ried Daavettila. Going short side on a quick wrister from ten feet out. Making it a 2-2 game moving into the third period.
 
It did not take long for Fargo to net what would be the game-winner after the final period started, as Mac Swanson buried a backdoor pass from Zam Plante to go ahead 3-2 just 28 seconds in.
 
The Lancers were held to just three third period shots to Fargo's 19. However, the only other goal the Force would pick up was an empty netter from Gavin Morrissey with 1:03 remaining in regulation to take the 4-2 victory.
 
Mikhail Yegorov would finish the night with 47 saves on 50 shots faced, good for a 0.940 save percentage. Putting on one of his best performances of the season.
 
The Lancers will be back in action tomorrow night (2/27) for a rematch against Fargo at Scheels Arena. Puck drop is set for 6:05PM CST. That game can be streamed on Mixlr and FloSports.