FARGO, ND. – The Tri-City Storm dropped a road decision Friday night at Scheels Arena to the Fargo Force by a final score of 7-4. Trevor Connelly, Owen Beckner, Shaun McEwen, and Cam Briere each scored a goal in the Storm's loss. Tri-City returns to action on Sunday in a rivalry matchup against the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Center. Puck drop for the New Year's Eve showdown is scheduled for 6:05pm CT.
 
Jake Fisher netted his ninth goal of the season less than two minutes into Friday's opening period to give the Force a 1-0 advantage in the matchup. Brasen Boser and Mac Swanson each recorded an assist on the scoring play. The Storm responded with a powerplay goal at 10:48 of the period to bring the game to a 1-1 score. Tri-City's powerplay goal was netted by Trevor Connelly, and was his ninth scoring play of the season. Alexander Bales and Owen Beckner each notched an assist on Connelly's scoring play. Fargo outshot Tri-City by a 9-3 margin during the 1^st period, and the 2^nd period began with the score tied at 1-1.
 
Michael La Starza netted a powerplay goal at 3:18 of the 2^nd period to give the Force a one goal advantage in the matchup. The goal was assisted by Zam Plante and Mac Swanson. Swanson gave the Force a 3-1 lead in the battle at 6:54 of the middle period with his eighth scoring play of the season. Zam Plante and Michael La Starza each notched an assist on the scoring play. Owen Beckner scored his seventh goal of the year at 9:32 of the 2^nd period to cut Fargo's lead down to a single goal. Beckner's goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Ryan Smith, and Trevor Connelly. The Force netted three goals in the final six minutes of Friday's middle period to take a four-goal lead in the matchup. Tom Leppa scored his first goal of the night, and sixth goal of the season, at 14:30 of the 2^nd period to give Fargo a 4-2 lead in the game. Leppa scored another goal at 17:07 of the period to increase the Force's lead to three goals. Leppa's second goal of the game, and seventh goal of the season, was assisted by Tate Taylor and Reid Daavettila. The final goal of Friday's 2^nd period was scored by Lee Parks at 19:26 of the period. Parks' goal was his twelfth of the year, and was assisted by Tate Taylor and Michael Neumeier. The Force outshot the Storm 20-6 in the 2^nd period, and carried a 6-2 lead into Friday's 3^rd period.
 
The opening goal of Friday's final period was scored by Shaun McEwen to bring the score to 6-3. McEwen's goal was his first of the season, and was assisted by A.J. Lacroix and Jake Rozzi. Cam Briere netted his ninth goal of the year less than a minute later to cut into the Force's lead. The goal was netted at 11:41 of the final period, and was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev and Luke Posthumus. The Storm elected to lift goaltender Cameron Korpi for an extra attacker in the game's final minutes, and Gavin Morrissey scored the final goal of the night into an empty net to seal a 7-4 victory for the Force. Reid Daavettila recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Tri-City outshot Fargo 13-6 in the 3^rd period, but was outshot by an overall margin of 35-22.
 
Cameron Korpi dropped the game in net for the Storm after making 28 saves on 34 shots. Anton Castro collected the win in goal for the Force in an 18-save-on-22-shot effort. Tri-City dropped to 13-11-1-1 in the road loss to Fargo.
 
Ticket specials for the Storm's New Year's Eve home game include a Nebraska Lottery Rivalry Four-Pack. The rivalry pack ticket package includes four tickets to the game, four hot dogs, four sodas, and ten Nebraska Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets for $44. World Junior A Hockey Challenge Bronze Medalists Trevor Connelly and Philippe Blais-Savoie will be available for autographs and photos following the game. 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. 
 
The Storm hits the ice again on Sunday, December 31^st, in a home game against the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05pm 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.