The Fargo Force clinched a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory over the Sioux Falls Stampede on Sunday, marking the second team to secure a postseason spot in the United States Hockey League. The win came as part of a weekend of tightly contested games across the league, with Green Bay edging past Madison 2-1 and Omaha earning a 3-0 shutout against Waterloo.
Ajay White was instrumental in Fargo’s victory, stopping 38 of 40 shots faced. Forward Mason West contributed two assists, bolstering the Force’s offensive effort. Nate Delladonna, Axel Löfgren and Graham Jones each scored for Fargo, with Jones netting his 20th goal of the season. The Force, now within three points of the Western Conference-leading Stampede, completed a three-game road trip that included losses to Lincoln.
The game against Sioux Falls was closely fought, with Brock Schulz tying the score for the Stampede early in the third period before Löfgren and Jones responded with goals for Fargo. Sioux Falls’ Renkowski scored late in the third, but Fargo held on for the win. The Force will next travel to Sioux City for a two-game series.
Elsewhere in the USHL, Omaha Lancers’ goaltender Nils Roberts Maurins recorded a shutout against Waterloo, making 28 saves. Artyom Prima scored his first career USHL goal in the Lancers’ victory. Green Bay Gamblers secured a weekend sweep with a 2-1 win over Madison, with Zach Wooten scoring the game-winning goal. Landon Hafele of the Gamblers scored three goals over the weekend.
The USHL notes that over 50% of NCAA Division I men’s hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The league has produced over 285 NHL draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last ten Hobey Baker Award winners have USHL backgrounds, including Macklin Celebrini.
