FARGO — The Fargo Force fell apart in the last minute of regulation, then gave up a goal 27 seconds into overtime and lost 4-3 to the Lincoln Stars on Friday before 3,536 at Scheels Center.
Trailing 1-0, the Force scored three goals in a span of four minutes late in the third period to take command. Bret Link's second goal of the third period, a short-handed, empty-net goal at 19:12, seemingly iced the game at 3-1 Force.
But, still on the power play, Lincoln's Mason Marcellus scored just seven seconds after Link's goal, and the Stars' Doug Grimes tied it with a goal with just one second left in regulation. Lincoln's Boston Buckberger won it with a goal 27 seconds into OT.
Both of Link's goals — the first at 15:13 of the third — were unassisted. Fargo's Leo Gruba scored the game-tying goal at 15:13 of the third on assists from Owen Mehlenbacher and Zam Plante.
Lincoln goalie Cameron Whitehead stopped 33 of 35 shots, including one save in OT. Fargo's Anton Castro made 32 saves.
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The Force and the Stars wrap up a two-game series at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Scheels Center.
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