Hampton Slukynsky stopped all 21 shots on goal in Game 5, and the Fargo Force are headed back to the Clark Cup Finals against the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a rematch of the 2013 Finals.
The Fargo Force are headed back to the Clark Cup Finals for the second consecutive season. Despite trailing 2-1 in the series with Sioux City, Fargo found a way to take the final two games of the Western Conference Finals.
The Force are in familiar territory after playing in the finals last season. However, Fargo is hoping for better results this time around after being swept at the hands of the Youngstown Phantoms. The Dubuque Fighting Saints, who closed out the Eastern Conference Finals in three games, await.
Mac Swanson recorded a goal and an assist, while goaltender Hampton Slukynsky posted his second straight shutout in Fargo's 4-0 win over the Sioux City Musketters in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Swanson scored just 13 seconds into the game after Sioux City turned the puck over in its own zone. The North Dakota commit was in the right place at the right time, and he buried his wrister past Musketeers netminder Samuel Urban.
Just over two minutes later, Merril Steenari found the back of the net for the second time in the Clark Cup Playoffs on a beautiful assist from Zam Plante below the net. After 20 minutes of play, Fargo led 2-0 on the scoreboard and carried a 17-8 shots on goals advantage.
Into the second period, Fargo defenseman Leo Gruba scored for the first time this postseason on a wrister from the right-wing circle through traffic to make it a 3-0 lead.
Sioux City emptied their net with seven minutes left in regulation, and Fargo's Tom Leppa scored the second time in as many games. Slukynsky, who surrendered a playoff-high four goals in Game 3, bounced back in a big way, stopping a combined 41 of 41 in Games 4 and 5, including all 21 on Sunday.
The Force and Fighting Saints will meet in a rematch of the 2013 Clark Cup Finals, with Game 1 set for Friday, May 10.
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