Sioux Falls Stampede host Fargo Force in 2022-23 season opener
The Stampede hit the ice at the Premier Center for the first time in the new season on Saturday, hosting the Fargo Force in USHL action. Faceoff is set for 6:05 p.m.
Sioux Falls is off to a hot start, having won three of its first four games under new coach Eric Rud.
Rud, who was previously an assistant coach at Miami (Ohio) and won a Clark Cup as head coach of Green Bay in 2011, was a late hire after Rob Rassey left to become an assistant at Michigan before coaching a game with the Stampede.
Sioux Falls had hired Rassey after firing Marty Murray, who went 37-69-6-4 in two seasons behind the bench, failing to make the playoffs either year. The Stampede had won the 2019 Clark Cup under Scott Owens, who retired after the 2019-20 season was suspended before the playoffs due to the pandemic.
Whatever buttons Rud is pushing are working, as the Herd have scored 19 goals in their first four games. Sam Harris, one of 12 returners, has led the way, with five goals and two assists already. The San Diego native looks ready to build on what was an impressive rookie season, when he notched 16 goals and 19 assists for the Stampede.
Stampede returns several players from last season
Boston U. commit Michael LaStarza is the top returner from last year, having tied for the team lead with 44 points last season (16 goals, 28 assists). Maddox Fleming had 11 goals and 26 assists last year and has a goal and five assists in the early going.
Other returners include forwards Adam Zinka, Jack Reimann, Clint Levens, Will McDonough, Merril Steenari, Jaksen Panzer and defensemen Cole Miller, Max Rud and Zach Sharp. Rud had 22 points last year, tops among the team’s blue-liners.
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Newcomer Ryan Gordon has two goals and two assists in three games so far, but perhaps the most important part of the Stampede’s strong start is the play they’ve received in net. Rookie Jackson Irving has stopped 85 of 90 shots in two starts and one relief appearance, going 2-0 with a 1.86 goals-against-average and .941 save percentage. Tucker Tynan won his lone start, giving up two goals on 36 shots.
Saturday’s home opener includes a pregame tailgate party from 3:30 to 4:45 outside the baseball stadium across the parking lot, and the first 1,000 fans 12-and-under will receive a free replica Stampede jersey (doors open at 5 p.m.).
A kids hockey scavenger hunt will also take place in the Premier Center before the game, while “Mr. Twister” will be on hand provided free balloon animals.
There will also be a post-game skating party on the ice where fans (who must bring their own skates) can take the ice with players for 30 minutes after the game.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls Stampede host Fargo Force in season opener
