General 11/25/2023 9:23:00 PM

Fargo Hands Chicago Second Consecutive Shutout Loss

Chicago outshoots Fargo as Force sweep weekend series

FARGO, ND — The Fargo Force (16-2-1-0, 33 pts.) completed a sweep of a weekend series with the Chicago Steel (5-11-1-1, 12 pts.), shutting out the Steel for the second consecutive game, 6-0 Saturday night at Scheels Arena.

Fargo goaltender Hampton Slukynsky posted a 32-save performance in his third shutout of the year and second straight to boost the Force to its league-leading 16^th win of the year.

Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier faced 31 shots in the loss.

For the second consecutive night, the Steel were forced to play from behind after Fargo received a fortuitous bounce off the end boards and had the puck carom directly to the stick of Merril Steenari, who fired past an unsuspecting Louka Cloutier for his third goal in as many games with the Force.

Fargo stayed on the gas pedal and added another tally past the halfway point of the first period on a picturesque passing play.

After receiving a drop pass, Lee Parks rifled a pass to his right to Iiro Hakkarainen, who then fed a perfect pass to Peter Cisar for a great goal for the Force.

In the late moments of the opening frame, the Force created another window and converted as Parks had space from the high slot and sent a blistering shot to the blocker side of Cloutier to make it 3-0 Fargo.

Just under five minutes into the second period, Fargo scored in a wacky way, as a shot from a sharp angle in the far corner by Leo Gruba leaked through Cloutier who was hugging his post. It was Gruba's eighth goal of the season, which took the league lead in goals amongst defensemen.

Right after the halfway point, Chicago received the first power play for either team. The Steel got its best look while on the advantage, as Charlie Major got a Grade-A look from the right circle, but Slukynsky made a huge stop from the top of his blue paint to keep the Steel off the board.

Immediately after the power play expired, Fargo created a turnover in its own end that resulted in a two-on-one rush the other way.

Harper Bentz created the turnover with a poke check and carried all the way into the attacking end and ripped a shot under the glove of Cloutier to extend the Force lead to 5-0.

The Steel saw another great opportunity to get one by the Force after Grayden Slipec got loose on a breakaway, but Slukynsky again flashed his prowess from the crease with a remarkable stop to again turn away the Steel.

The third period was quiet for the first ten minutes until Fargo's pressure again created a goal.

Chicago couldn't move the puck up neutral ice, allowing the Force to swipe the puck away and enter in an odd-man rush. Gavin Kor and Tom Leppa exchanged passes, but it was ultimately Leppa who would receive the pass from Kor and deflect it in for a goal.

The shutout loss was the first time the Steel were shutout in consecutive games since the 2017-18 season when they were shutout on Nov. 25, 2017, 4-0 at the Green Bay Gamblers, followed by a 3-0 loss on Dec. 1, 2017 at the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Chicago will stay on the road for another away game on Friday, December 1 at 7:05 pm CT against the Madison Capitols before returning home Dec. 2 and 3.

Saturday, Dec. 2 is the 20^th Anniversary Celebration of the movie Elf, and Sunday, Dec. 3 is a Celebration of Inclusion presented by Rising Lights Project and Laura Henrikson-Realtor that will feature sensory rooms, limited loud music, no goal horns with ASL celebrations and other accommodations.

Dec. 3 is a Steel Family Pack game where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, December 1 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, December 2 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) | 20^th Anniversary Celebration of Elf
Sunday, December 3 vs. Team USA NTDP (3:05 pm CT) | Celebration of Inclusion Presented by Rising Lights Project and Laura Henrikson Realtor | Steel Family Pack Game

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Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec: F; 5' 10"; University of North Dakota

#20 Charlie Major: F; 5' 10"; Cornell University

#1 Louka Cloutier: Goaltender; 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec
: 5' 10"; University of North Dakota
: F

#20 Charlie Major
: 5' 10"; Cornell University
: F

#1 Louka Cloutier
: 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha
: Goaltender

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec

#20 Charlie Major

#1 Louka Cloutier

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec

#20 Charlie Major

#1 Louka Cloutier