The Fargo Force didn't look like team that had lost their three previous games Friday at the Urban Plains Center.
The Force outshot the Chicago Steel nearly three-to-one and rolled to a 4-1 victory in United States Hockey League action before an announced crowd of 2,402 fans.
"We were pretty bummed about the last couple, three games," said Force forward Corey Leivermann, who was credited with two goals and two assists. "Tonight we came out we just tried to do all the little things, battled. ... It was probably the most complete game we played all year."
The Force were playing their third straight game without three of their top players - Matt Leitner, Colten St. Clair and Eamonn McDermott - who are all playing for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Canada.
"I think the guys are a little bit upset with how they've played with our guys being gone," Force coach Steve Johnson said. "It's been a chance for guys to step up and increase their value. Tonight we played hard and we have to get back to playing that way."
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The Force held a 35-12 edge in shots against the Steel, who were tied for first place in the East Division heading into Friday.
"Practice this week was really intense," Leivermann said. "We were just trying to get pucks to the net."
The Force converted on 3 of 8 power plays, while killing off all of the Steel's five power play chances.
"Penalty kill is something that dictates your work ethic," Johnson said. "If you can kill five penalties it probably means you are working pretty hard."
The Force seized control in the second period, scoring goals 98 seconds apart.
Forward Chad Demers started the flurry with a rebound goal at 5 minutes, 12 seconds on the power play. Leivermann pushed the Force lead to 2-0 at 6:50 with and even-strength goal that came off another rebound.
The Force outshot the Steel 15-5 in the second period.
Force goalie Cody Campbell just missed a shutout as the Steel scored their lone goal in the final two minutes of the third period.
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While Campbell didn't face many shots, he made a key save late in the first period with Fargo on the power play. Campbell made a glove stop on Steel forward Greg Wolfe, who skated in alone on Campbell with 1:50 remaining in the first period.
The Force host the Steel again at 7:05 tonight and have a chance to earn a weekend sweep.
"It's just a mentality," Johnson said. "We can't get to the point where we're thinking that we're just a skilled team because that's not the case. We've got to be a hard-working, gritty, tough team. Tonight, I thought we played a smart game."
FIRST PERIOD: No scoring.
SECOND PERIOD: 1, FF, Demers (Leivermann, Gunner) 5:12 (pp). 2, FF, Leivermann (Lippincott, Gunner) 6:50.
THIRD PERIOD: 3, FF, Condon (Leivermann) 4:07 (pp). 4, FF, Leivermann (Gunner) 17:33 (pp). 5, CS, Adams 18:26.
SAVES: CS, Pissellini 10-13-8--31. FF, Campbell 4-5-2--11.
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Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.
