FARGO, N.D. – The Sioux Falls Stampede took a 2-1 lead early in the third period but allowed a late goal in regulation and eventually fell in a shootout 3-2 to the Fargo Force Saturday night at SCHEELS Arena. Timo Bakos and Jakub Lewandowski scored in the contest, while Jaxson Stauber made the start making 29 of 31 saves in net.For the second straight game, the Herd was able to get off to an early lead with a goal from Timo Bakos at the 6:44 mark of the first period. Bakos was able to collect a rebounded shot from Brenden Olson off goaltender Cole Brady in the slot for the back. Evan Nause also assisted on the play. In a similar fashion to last night, the Force evened the score with a goal from Joseph Dunlap for his eleventh of the season to bring the game even at the first intermission.Neither team scored in the middle frame, but the Force sent shot after shot on goaltender Jaxson Stauber who was making his 75th career appearance in net. The Force outshot the Herd 13 to three in the period.Polish forward Jakub Lewandowski scored his eleventh of the season 3:19 into the third period to give the Herd a 2-1 lead. Ryan Sullivan made the pass from the left corner that found the stick of Lewandowski in front of Brady. The Stampede defended well in an attempt to close out the game but Force forward Tristan Broz scored with 4:18 remaining in regulation with Kaden Bohlsen on the assist.The Stampede began the overtime session on the power play but were unable to capitalize. Lewandsowki, Sam Stange, Chase Foley and Garrett Pinoniemi all failed to find their back of the net in their shootout attempts, while Bohlsen scored in the fourth round to beat Stauber for the victory.The Herd maintains a 21-19-7 record on the season and are now four points ahead of Des Moines in sixth place in the Western Conference with fifteen games remaining in the regular season.The Stampede finish their six-game road trip with a pair of games against the Waterloo Black Hawks next weekend at Young Arena. Puck drop at 7:05 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night. Fans can catch the games streaming live at HockeyTV.com or listen live on KELO Radio 107.9 FM, 1320 AM or Kelo.com.
(Jasen Robbennolt contributed to this report)
