FARGO, N.D. (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Stampede came back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to take a thrilling victory in the shootout Saturday night in Fargo. The Herd were led by a stellar performance from netminder Jackson Irving, who stopped 41 shots between the pipes. Jaksen Panzer tallied a goal and an assist, while Adam Zlnka had a goal and netted the game-winning shootout tally.
The Herd struggled in the first two periods, falling behind 2-0 after forty minutes while being outshot by the Force 9-2 in the first period and 17-13 in the second.
Sioux Falls found their footing in the third period when newly-acquired Isaac Gordon tallied his first goal as a member of the Herd just 2:07 into the final frame. Panzer snatched the puck from behind the Fargo net before passing it to Gordon who shot a rocket from the right circle that found the back of the net. Panzer then tied the game at 2-2 four and a half minutes later when he intercepted a pass on the penalty kill and took it back down the ice for a shorthanded goal.
The Stampede took the lead with eight minutes remaining when Zlnka wristed a shot from the slot, with the assists credited to Nick Ring and Samuel Harris. Fargo, with their netminder pulled for the extra attacker, managed to tie the game back up with just 55 seconds left in regulation. Neither team was able to come out on top after 60 minutes, and the game would go into 3-on-3 overtime.
Nothing was solved in overtime and the matchup was decided in a shootout. Charlie Russel had the lone goal in the shootout for Fargo while Michael LaStarza and Zlnka scored for the Stampede to give them the 4-3 victory.
Sioux Falls was outshot 13-9 in the third period and 5-2 in overtime. They were outshot 44-27 in the game. The Herd went 1-for-4 on the power play while the Force went 0-for-4.
The two teams will pair up again next Saturday at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for the Stampede’s home opener at 6:05 PM. Doors will open at 5 PM and the first 1,000 kids 12-and-under will receive a FREE Stampede replica jersey, compliments of First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard. Fans can also join the players on the ice at the conclusion of the game for a skating party. Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster, at the KELOLAND Box Office, or by calling the Stampede office at 605-275-4625.
Fans who cannot make it to the game can tune in on FloHockey with a subscription or listen in for free on KELO News Talk 1320-AM, 105.1-FM, 107.9-FM and KELO.com.
