FARGO, ND. – The Tri-City Storm dropped a road contest to the Fargo Force by a final score of 7-2 Thursday night at Scheels Arena. The game was the Storm's first following the recent holiday break. Tri-City will play an additional road game tomorrow night before returning home to the Viaero Center to host the Lincoln Stars in a New Year's Eve rivalry matchup. Jake Rozzi and Artemi Nizameyev scored Tri-City's goals in Thursday's five-goal road loss. Puck drop for tomorrow's second game of the series is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Puck drop for the Storm's upcoming home game at the Viaero Center on New Year's Eve is set for 6:05pm CT.
 
The lone goal of Thursday's opening period was netted on the powerplay by Jake Rozzi with less than a minute to play. Rozzi's goal was his fifth of the season, and was assisted by Trevor Connelly and Owen Beckner. The Storm was outshot by an 11-6 margin during Thursday's 1^st period, and Tri-City carried a one-goal lead into the 2^nd period.
 
Artemi Nizameyev scored his eighth goal of the season at 6:46 of the middle period to give the Storm a two-goal lead in the matchup. A.J. Lacroix and Ryan Smith each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Reid Daavettila's eighth goal of the year at 9:34 of the 2^nd period was the first of four unanswered goals netted by the Force during Thursday night's middle period. The goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Michael Quinn, and Gavin Morrissey. Zam Plante netted his fourteenth goal of the season unassisted at 10:31 of the 2^nd period to bring the game to a 2-2 score. Iiro Hakkarainen's powerplay goal at 13:41 of the 2^nd period gave Fargo a 3-2 lead in the matchup. The goal was Hakkarainen's sixth of the year, and was assisted by Tate Taylor and Leo Gruba. The final goal of Thursday's middle period was scored unassisted by Michael La Starza with less than a minute to play. The Force outshot the Storm 11-7 during the 2^nd period, and Fargo led by two goals entering Thursday's 3^rd period.
 
Iiro Hakkarainen netted his second goal of the matchup, and seventh goal of the season, at 7:42 of Thursday's 3^rd period to give Fargo a 5-2 lead in the game. The goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Gavin Morrissey and Tate Taylor. Harper Bentz netted an even strength goal at 9:24 of the final period to increase the Force's advantage to four goals. The goal was his twelfth of the year, and was assisted by Jake Fisher and Michael Quinn. The final goal of Thursday's game was netted by Reid Daavettila with less than four minutes to play in the matchup. Iiro Hakkarainen collected the lone assist on the play. Fargo outshot Tri-City 20-9 in the 3^rd period, 42-22 overall in the matchup, and won Thursday's game by a final score of 7-2.
 
Hampton Slukynsky collected the win in goal for the Force in a 20-save-on-22-shot performance. Cameron Korpi dropped the game in net for Tri-City after making 35 saves on 42 shots.
 
This Sunday, December 31^st at the Viaero Center, World Junior A Hockey Challenge Bronze Medalists Trevor Connelly and Philippe Blais-Savoie will be available for autographs and photos following the Storm's New Year's Eve rivalry game against the Lincoln Stars. The Meet and Greet will begin approximately thirty minutes after the game ends. Canned goods and non-perishable food items will be collected and donated to various local organizations. The first 500 fans who bring an item to be donated will receive a limited-edition photo of Trevor and Philippe, which was taken following the Bronze Medal game, when the United States defeated Sweden 8-5. Canned goods and non-perishable food items will be collected at the start of the Meet and Greet line. Tickets to Sunday's game may be purchased online at www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office hours at 308-338-8144. Puck drop is set for 6:05pm CT.
 
The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, December 29^th, in a road game against the Fargo Force. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.