Story by Tri-City Communications
KEARNEY, NE. – The Tri-City Storm is set to host Game #3 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals tonight at the Viaero Center against the Fargo Force after dropping the opening two games of the series at Scheels Arena. The Storm must fight off elimination tonight to guarantee tomorrow night’s Game #4 of the Best-Of-Five playoff series. Tomorrow’s “If Necessary” Game will also be played at the Viaero Center. Tickets to tonight’s playoff game in Kearney may be purchased online by skating to www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144. Puck drop for tonight’s battle between the Storm and the Force is set for 7:05pm CT. Tri-City (2-3) (#4 Seed) returns home to the Viaero Center tonight following consecutive losses on the road against Fargo at Scheels Arena to open the Best-Of-Five Western Conference Semifinals series. The Storm suffered two 3-1 losses on the road and now faces elimination for the third time this postseason in tonight’s game. Ryan Smith and Nick Roukounakis netted goals for Tri-City during the road trip. The Storm has been outscored 6-2, and outshot 73-43 through the first two games of the series. The Storm’s powerplay is 0/3, and Tri-City’s penalty kill is 2/5 entering Game #3 tonight. Tri-City tied the regular season series against Fargo with a final head-to-head record of 3-2-0-1. The Storm captured five of a possible six points against the Force in a three-game home series at the Viaero Center March 15th-18th, 2024. Scoring leaders for Tri-City through the opening five games of the postseason include Artemi Nizameyev (3), Jake Rozzi (3), Nolan Roed (3), Owen Beckner (3), August Falloon (2), and Nick Roukounakis (2).Fargo (2-0) (#1 Seed) posted consecutive two-goal victories over Tri-City at Scheels Arena to take a two-game lead in this year’s Western Conference Semifinals series. The Force swept the Storm in last year’s Conference Semifinals Round, and has advanced past the Storm in three previous postseason battles over the past seven seasons. Fargo’s powerplay is 3/5, and the Force’s penalty kill is 3/3 through the first two games of the series. Goal scorers for the Force to this point in the postseason include Michael La Starza (2), Mac Swanson (1), Michael Quinn (1), Zam Plante (1), and Tate Taylor (1). Fargo enters tonight’s road game only one win away from advancing to play the Sioux City Musketeers in the Western Conference Final round of the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs. Tonight’s playoff game is set to begin at 7:05pm CT, and will be streamed on FloHockey and Storm Radio. Tickets to postseason games at the Viaero Center may be purchased online by skating to www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144. Viaero Wireless is the presenting sponsor of the Tri-City Storm.