Preview: Storm Set for Game Two of Western Conference Semifinals

FARGO, ND – The Tri-City Storm is set for tonight’s second game of the team’s Western Conference Semifinals series against the Fargo Force following a 3-1 road loss in Game #1 on Saturday night at the Scheels Arena. The Storm will return home to host the Force at the Viaero Center on Wednesday night for Game #3 of the Best-Of-Five playoff series. The winner will advance to play either the Sioux City Musketeers or the Lincoln Stars in the Western Conference Final. Puck drop for tonight’s second game of the series between the Storm and the Force is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.

Tri-City (2-2, #4 Seed) dropped the opening game of the series on Saturday by a final score of 3-1 after defeating the Sioux Falls Stampede in a Best-Of-Three series last week at the Viaero Center. Ryan Smith scored the Storm’s only goal of the matchup during the 2nd period. Artemi Nizameyev and August Falloon each collected an assist on the scoring play. The Storm was outshot by a 40-24 margin in Game #1. Cameron Korpi stopped 37 of Fargo’s 40 shots on net during the matchup for Tri-City. Goal scorers for the Storm through the opening four games of the Clark Cup Playoffs include Artemi Nizameyev (3), Jake Rozzi (3), Nolan Roed (3), Owen Beckner (3), August Falloon (2), Cam Briere (1), Ryan Smith (1), and Nick Roukounakis (1).

Fargo (1-0, #1 Seed) opened the postseason with a two-goal win over Tri-City on Saturday after receiving a bye through the opening round of the Clark Cup Playoffs. Michael La Starza (2), and Zam Plante netted goals for the Force during the victory. Hampton Slukynsky turned away 23 of Tri-City’s 24 shots on net during the battle to pick up the win in goal for Fargo. The Force captured a Best-Of-Three series against the Storm in last year’s Western Conference Semifinals series to advance in the postseason. Fargo fell in last year’s Clark Cup Final to the Youngstown Phantoms.