FARGO, ND – Games 1 and 2 of this best-of-five series have split between the USHL’S two Division Champions as they battle for the Clark Cup. In each team’s respective wins, they were successful enforcing the other to play their style of hockey. 
Fargo took Game 1, 2-1 by staying out of the penalty box and not allowing Indiana a multitude of shots. Indiana tied the series the following evening by placing 35 shots on goal and winning the specials teams battle. With two very distinctly different styles of hockey, Games 3 and 4 will promise to be more exhilarating as both teams will look for the advantage over their opponent. Game 3 opened up in exciting fashion for those in attendance to cheer on the Ice. Unfortunately for Indiana, Game 3 was played in Fargo, North Dakota. The Ice would score three times in a 44 second span to take a 3-0 lead heading into the first period intermission and placing the host team behind the proverbial eight ball. Shane Berschbach would score very early at 3:30 in the first period for Indiana and was followed up 31 seconds later by Ben Albertson at 4:01. Max Cook would end the one minute reign of terror with a goal at 4:14. The Force would find themselves on the short side of a 3-0 score. The Fargo Force would need to bounce back quickly in the second period in order to swing momentum into their favor if they hoped to get back into this game. However, Mike Cichy provided the back breaker for the Ice when with his two goals in the period put Fargo down 5-0 at the end of the second period. Cichy scored his first goal at 6:09, then on the power play at 13:04. Cichy’s power play goal would be Indiana’s second of the evening providing the Ice with yet another great showing on special teams. With a mere 20 minutes remaining, Indiana controlled the lead into the third period. Fargo was very careful to not place themselves up against elimination and took one penalty to Chase Grant for delay of game at 14:33. While the penalty was offset by Sebastian Geoffrion for the same violation, Fargo would have nothing to offer in the third. Cichy would pick up his fourth point of the evening, his second assist on the night, when John Parker scored at 16:45 to finalize the game at 6-0. With the win, the Ice takes Game 3 and the series lead 2-1. Game 4 will be played Friday evening at 7:05 in Fargo. With the loss, Fargo will need to win the next game in order to send the series back to Indiana Sunday afternoon for the fifth and final game in the series. Schedule and Results (Indiana leads series 2-1) Game 1 – Fargo 2, Indiana 1 Game 2 – Indiana 5, Fargo 2 Game 3 – Indiana 6, Fargo 0 Game 4 – Friday, May 8, 2009 @ 7:05 at Fargo Game 5 – Sunday, May 10, 2009 @ 5:05 at Indiana, if necessary You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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