Force use 3rd-period surge to cruise by Lincoln

FARGO — The Fargo Force tallied three goals in the third period en route to a 4-0 victory over the Lincoln Stars on Thursday in United States Hockey League action at Scheels Arena.

Scoring wise, the game was uneventful until the last four minutes. Jeremy Davidson broke a scoreless tie with just under 30 seconds left in the second period to put the Force up 1-0. It was his third goal this season.

The Force came to life in the last few minutes of the third frame. Mason Salquist buried his fourth goal this season at the 16 minutes, 45 seconds mark of the period. Tristan Broz added another Fargo goal, his fourth of the year, just over a minute later to push it to 3-0. Casey McDonald then scored his first goal this season 20 seconds later, at the 18:12 mark, to put the Force up 4-0.

Ryan Richardson, Jack Peart, McDonald, Davidson, Ryan Siedem and Tyler Rollwagen each had an assist for Fargo. McDonald and Salquist led the attack with four shots on goal each.

Lincoln couldn't get anything going against Force goalie Brennan Boynton, who stopped all 24 shots sent his way for the shutout.

The Force (5-1-1) and Stars (1-2-1) are scheduled to play Game 2 of the three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Scheels Arena.

1/3: Fargo Force's Jeremy Davidson slips a shot behind Lincoln’s Ryan Ouellette to score during their junior hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, at Scheels Arena. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

2/3: Fargo Force's Mason Salquist watches the puck after colliding with Lincoln’s Aleksei Sergeev during their junior hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, at Scheels Arena. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

3/3: Fargo Force's Brennan Boynton blocks Lincoln’s Aidan Thompson as Owen Gallatin looks on during their junior hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, at Scheels Arena. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor