Shorthanded Stampede Shut Out Storm

KEARNEY, NE -- Missing their top three scorers, the Sioux Falls Stampede got goals from Thomas Forgione and Ryan Siiro and a stellar performance between the pipes from Charlie Lindgren to earn a 2-0 victory at the Viaero Event Center over Tri-City Friday night.

Lindgren recorded his second career shutout with 41 saves, including 21 in the third period alone to help the Stampede end a three-game winless streak. Both shutouts for Lindgren have come in Kearney.

The Stampede won despite missing Dennis Kravchenko, Todd Skirving, Sam Rothstein, Zach Habscheid and Jake Ahlgren who were all out with injuries or illness. The win improved the Herd’s record to 14-7-1 and moved them within a point of first place Waterloo while keeping them tied with Lincoln for second place with 29 points. Tri-City dropped to 10-11-2 on the year.

The Stampede grabbed the first goal of the game 8:44 when Thomas Forgione tallied his fourth goal of the season. Forgione picked up a loose puck in front of the Storm bench and raced down the right wing boards, breaking in the slot and slipping the puck under the pads of Tri-City netminder Johan Mattsson. Both teams exchanged powerplay chances in the period, but to no avail and the Stampede took a 1-0 lead into the locker room with an 11-8 edge in shots.

The Stampede increased their lead to 2-0 just 4:19 into the second period when Ryan Siiro recorded his second goal of the season. Cody Milan blasted a shot in the slot that was stopped by the right pad of Mattson, but Siiro was right on the doorstep to knock in the loose puck and give the Herd a 2-0 edge. Charlie Lindgren preserved the lead throughout the second period with several big saves, including a 2-on-1 shorthanded rush by the Storm midway through the second. Sioux Falls outshot the Storm 17-12 in the period and took their 2-0 lead into the third period.

Tri-City controlled much of the third period, but the Stampede defense was up to the task and Charlie Lindgren continued his brilliant play between the pipes, stopping all 21 shots in the period, including several late in the game. The Storm pulled their goaltender with just over two minutes remaining for an extra attacker and continued to pressure late, but the Stampede were able to clear the puck out of the zone each time and hold on for the 2-0 victory.

Sioux Falls recorded just one shot in the third period and were outshot in the game 41-28. The Storm finished 0-for-4 on the powerplay while the Stampede were 0-for-2.

Sioux Falls returns to action on Sunday when they travel to Sioux City to face the Musketeers at 5:05 PM.

Courtesy:  Jim Olander/Sioux Falls Stampede