The Fargo Force took advantage of a key special teams sequence to defeat the Waterloo Black Hawks 6-1 on Friday and win the United States Hockey League's Anderson Cup regular season championship.
The Force have assured themselves the league's best record for 2023/24. They were also Anderson Cup winners in 2022/23.
Jackson Nevers notched the opening goal for Waterloo 9:42 into the contest. He was in the slot to tip a blast by Jaedon Kerr, which originated from the right point. Nevers' redirection sent the puck past Hampton Slukynsky's right pad.
The Force tied the game 2:47 before intermission. Mac Swanson took a hit to feed the puck to Masun Fleece at the side of the net; the 17-year-old turned it past Jack Spicer.
Fargo seized control during the second period, beginning with a goal in transition at 6:05. Quick puck movement set up Swanson to score on a low wrister from the high slot.
Two more goals late in the frame resulted from a major penalty called against Gavyn Thoreson. Zam Plante blasted in a one-timer from the right circle at 18:28. Then with 2.9 seconds remaining, a faceoff win allowed Jake Fisher to lift a shot over Spicer's right shoulder.
The Force produced their third goal of the extended power play at 2:36 of the final period when Fisher collected a rebound near the edge of the crease and pushed in a backhander.
Back to five-on-five, Fargo notched the game's final goal just over a minute later. Lee Parks snagged a turnover just outside the Waterloo blue line, scoring on the partial breakaway that resulted.
The Black Hawks meet the Force once again on Saturday. The season series finale at Scheels Arena is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Waterloo 1 0 0 - 1
Fargo 1 3 2 - 6
1st Period-1, Waterloo, Nevers 2 (Kerr, Felicio), 9:42. 2, Fargo, Fleece 7 (Swanson, Neumeier), 17:13. Penalties-Reed Wat (tripping), 5:50; Parks Fgo (high sticking), 13:48.
2nd Period-3, Fargo, Swanson 25 (Plante, Parks), 6:05. 4, Fargo, Plante 24 (Quinn, Gruba), 18:28 (PP). 5, Fargo, Fisher 21 (Bentz, Leppa), 19:58 (PP). Penalties-Hakkarainen Fgo (checking from behind, misconduct-checking from behind), 3:10; Neumeier Fgo (tripping), 13:10; Lindberg Wat (interference), 14:28; Thoreson Wat (major-head contact, game misconduct-head contact), 17:45.
3rd Period-6, Fargo, Fisher 22 (Bentz, Leppa), 2:36 (PP). 7, Fargo, Parks 29 (Swanson), 3:38. Penalties-Steenari Fgo (cross checking), 15:55.
Shots on Goal-Waterloo 12-7-13-32. Fargo 6-14-8-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Waterloo 0 / 4; Fargo 3 / 3.
Goalies-Waterloo, Spicer 13-12-0-1 (28 shots-22 saves). Fargo, Slukynsky 26-3-0-0 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-4,427
