FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA – The Indiana Ice captured the Clark Cup for the 2008-09 season Friday night in dominating effect. Indiana used the power play to their advantage twice in the game and added to their total with three even strength goals. For the Ice the series was all about the special teams. The Ice finished the playoffs with a 28.30 power play percentage, well enough for first throughout the playoffs. However, for Indiana it was not only about offense on the special teams. The Ice also managed an 84.48 penalty kill percentage in the USHL playoffs, placing them third overall.
Much can be made of Brett Bennett (IND) and his counterpart Mike Lee (FAR) for their incredible play in the crease throughout the playoffs. Each goalie allowed a goals against average of less the two and a half goals per game. Lee helped Fargo throughout by keeping an average of 2.46. Bennett, the iron man of the league with an amassed 729:21 minutes played in the post season held Indiana’s opponents to a mere 2.47 goals per game.
Despite the fantastic play in net, the Ice finally took the greenhorn franchise from the playoffs by forcing the style of play necessary for Indiana to win. All season long the Ice have scored in bulk to defeat their opponents. Despite a promising opening game of the Clark Cup Finals, the Force succumbed to the shootout style of play of the Ice and fell in four games.
Nate Condon opened up the first period at the 3:47 mark with promise for the host Fargo Force. The Force placed 17 shots on goal in the first period and limited Indiana to a mere five shots. Fargo took the 1-0 lead into the locker room at intermission playing disciplined hockey during the opening period taking two penalties only one of which would result in a power play.
Fargo continued the disciplined play in the second period once again taking single penalty on Andy Taranto for hooking. Unfortunately that penalty would result in the game tying goal for the Ice. Shane Berschbach netted a power play goal assisted from Mike Cichy at 8:36. Indiana would add their first even strength goal at 14:08 as Brandon Richardson would be assisted by Cichy for the game winner. Despite the sound hockey played by the Force, tonight would not be the night for the inaugural franchise of the West Division of the USHL.
For the fans who enjoy hockey for the fights and high scoring, a trip to the concessions in the third would have resulted in disappointment. Indiana would score three more times in the final period to take the game and series. Brandon Richardson and Mike Cichy would hook up yet again for a power play goal at 2:21 and Grant Blakey would follow up at 4:48 for the Ice as place the game at 4-1.
Facing a certain loss Fargo played desperate towards the end of the third period. At 14:46 Mike Golembiewski would take advantage of the empty net for the Ice. His unassisted goal would be the final score of the 2009 Clark Cup playoffs as the Ice would cruise to another big win and the Championship.
In total the third period had ten infractions. Fargo would take six of those while Indiana would receive the remaining four. The third period desperation for the Force would yield two fights and five roughing calls.
Friday night’s victory is the first Clark Cup in franchise history for the Indiana Ice. The Ice has been a wonderful addition to the USHL and has been a great franchise in the league and community. We here at Pro Hockey News would like to congratulate the Ice on their win and send our condolences to the Fargo Force. The Force have made their presence felt in their first season in the USHL and will surely be an exciting team to watch for years to come.
Schedule and Results Indiana wins series 3-1
Game One – Fargo 2, Indiana 1 Game Two – Indiana 5, Fargo 2 Game Three – Indiana 6, Fargo 0 Game Four – Indiana 5, Fargo 1
You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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