The Fargo Force and Sioux City Musketeers will meet in Game 5 on Sunday for the right to play the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the Clark Cup Finals. A full preview of the series to this point.

The Fargo Force and Sioux City Musketeers will meet in Game 5 on Sunday for the right to play the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the Clark Cup Finals.

To this point, the series between Fargo and Sioux has provided no shortage of excitement. Fargo jumped out to a 1-0 series lead before Sioux City collected two straight wins with a chance to close out the series on home ice. However, the Force responded with an emphatic 5-0 win in Game 4 to force (pun intended) a winner-take-all Game 5.

While some of the final scores have been lopsided, this series is much closer than it appears.

Fargo holds the scoring advantage over Sioux City, 11-10, through the first four games. Meanwhile, both teams have found the back of the net just once on the power play; Fargo is 1 for 11 and Sioux City is 1 for 4. The Force lead the shots on goal totals heading into Game 5, 117-93, outshooting the Musketeers in every game thus far.

In terms of the goals themselves, five goals have been scored in the first period. Fargo holds the advantage, 3-2, in the opening 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Sioux City holds the edge in the second-round scoring, 4-3, with seven goals combined between the two teams. The third period has seen an abundance of scoring, nine goals in total, with Fargo holding a slight edge, 5-4.

Who Are The Players To Watch In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals

Fargo Force Players To Watch

Mac Swanson, F (2024)

Swanson has points in three of the first four games, including a goal in Game 1 of the series. The North Dakota commit has registered 12 shots on goal and collected two assists.

Jake Fisher, F

Fisher found the back of the net in Games 2 and 4 while registering 10 shots through the first four games.

Zam Plante, F (PIT)

Plante is responsible for the lone power-play marker for the Force in this series, which came in Game 3. The Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick also has two assists and seven shots on goal.

Hampton Slukynsky, G (LAK)

Slukynsky allowed a postseason-high four goals in Game 3 before responding with a 20-of-20 performance in Game 4. Overall, the Los Angeles Kings draft pick has stopped 82 of 89 shots on goal (0.921 save percentage) through the first four games.

Sioux City Players To Watch

Kaden Shahan, F

Shahan has played very well in this series, which should only boost his draft stock ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. The forward has three goals and two assists to go along with 11 shots on goal.

Colin Kessler, F

Kessler has shown up in key moments in this series, recording a two-goal effort in Game 2 and tallying a three-point night in Game 3. Overall, the University of Vermont commit has put 13 shots on goal heading into Game 5.

Samuel Urban, G

Urban has matched his counterpart in this series, allowing a combined three goals on 50 shots in Games 2 and 3. The Sioux City netminder surrendered five goals in Game 4. I am curious to see how he responds in a win-or-go-home Game 5.

Fargo and Sioux City will get underway on Sunday, with puck drop set for 5:05 p.m. CDT.