The Buffalo Sabres sixth round pick forced Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals with his overtime heroics
With their backs against the wall on Thursday night, the Sioux City Musketeers defeated the Fargo Force 2-1 in overtime of Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Musketeers forward Ashton Schultz scored his fourth goal of the playoffs 1:39 into the extra frame, banging in a rebound past Force goaltender Ajay White to close the series to a 2-1 lead for the Force. Schultz was acquired mid-season by the Musketeers from the Chicago Steel and posted 20 points in 17 games down the stretch as the Musketeers finished third in the Western Conference with 65 points. Schultz was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and is committed to the University of North Dakota for the upcoming season.
The two teams engaged in a spirited defensive affair with Musketeers goaltender Jack Fichthorn turning aside 28-of-29 shots, and Force netminder stopping 20-of-22 shots. In front of their home crowd, Musketeers forward Dakotah Bailey opened the scoring with his second of the playoffs, 5:33 into the first period. Bailey buried on a 2-on-1, beating the outstretched White, set up by William Tomko.
The Force were held off the board until midseason acquisition Gavin Uhlenkamp tied the game at 1-1 apiece, picking up his fourth goal of the playoffs. Uhlenkamp buried a rebound from a Mason West shot, breaking his stick in the process, but managing to get enough on the shot to have it cross the goal line. The game would remain tied until Schultz's heroics sent the home crowd of just under 1600 people into a frenzy, ensuring that a Game 4 would be needed.
Game 4 is set for Friday, April 24, at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST.