The Fargo Force saw three different defensemen find the back of the net in their 4-3 win against the Tri-City Storm on Thursday night.
Three different defensemen scored in the Fargo Force's 4-3 victory over the Tri-City Storm on Thursday night. Finn McLaughlin recorded his second goal of the season, while Kiernan Poulin, who was acquired from Waterloo earlier this month, netted two goals. Sam Laurila contributed the game-winner in the third period.
Attila Lippai opened the scoring for Tri-City just over two minutes into the first period. However, McLaughlin answered with a power-play goal late in the frame, tying the game at 1-1 after the first 20 minutes.
In the second period, Ryan Zaremba, who had two assists in his team debut, found Poulin for a backdoor tap-in for Poulin's first career USHL goal. The Storm briefly tied the game on Bode Laylin's first goal. However, Poulin's second goal of the night put Fargo back in front late in the period after his centering pass deflected off a Tri-City defender’s skate and into the net.
The Force headed into the locker room with a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Fargo made it a two-goal advantage late in the third period after Zaremba assisted Laurila on a one-timer from the right-wing circle. The goal marked Laurila's third of the season and his first game-winner.
Tri-City narrowed the gap late in regulation with Artemi Nizameyev’s tenth goal of the season, but the Force managed to hold on for the win. Alan Lendak made 26 saves for Fargo and secured his ninth victory of the season.