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The Fargo Force continued its solid play Friday night against the Lincoln Stars, but the Stars went three-for-three in the shootout to down the Force, 4-3. Matt Leitner had a goal and an assist to lead the Force on the night. Dominik Shine scored all three regulation goals for the Stars to help lead them to victory.
Fargo kicked open the scoring door before most people could settle into their seats with their popcorn and soda. Johnnie Searfoss scored 40 seconds into the game with an assist to Leitner. That was the lone goal of an otherwise uneventful first period.
The Force extended their lead at the 5:17 mark of the second period. John Stampohar and J.P. Burkemper assisted the Leitner twine tickler. Next, Shine stuck on the power play for Lincoln to cut the Fargo lead in half. With 1:35 remaining in the middle frame, Shine found the back of the net for the second time to even the score at 2-2 before the two teams headed into their respective locker rooms.
Early period success continued in the third for Fargo. Corey Leivermann netted the third Force goal at the 1:33 mark of the third period. Eamonn McDermott and Nate Condon gathered in assists on the Leivermann tally. Shine finished off the hat trick with 12:29 remaining in the third period. There was no more scoring to be had by either team in regulation play, and the game headed to overtime tied at 3-3.
Fargo had a couple of great chances in overtime, but Lincoln goalie Matt Green kicked out all three shots he faced in the third period. Green stopped a total of 28 shots on 31 tries in the game. Dayn Belfour made only one save for the Force in overtime, but it was a big one. Belfour finished the game with 23 stops on 26 shots.
In the shootout, Sam Alfieri, Kyle Gibbons, and Cory Hibbeler all scored for Lincoln while Leitner, Condon, and Leivermann were all denied for Fargo. Lincoln won the shootout, 3-0, and the game, 4-3.
The two teams will hit the ice again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at the Urban Plains Center in Fargo.
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