Force score three late but comeback falls short

FARGO — Fargo hammered 19 shots on net in the final period, scoring four times and nearly erased a five-goal deficit early into the third period, but fell to Cedar Rapids 7-6 in USHL play on Friday in front of 3,840 fans at Scheels Arena. Bryce Mattern scored twice for his 11th of the season, including a power-play goal just 15 seconds after Karson Young tallied for the second time in the game, to cut the lead to 7-6 with 3:23 remaining in the game. Tomass Rutulis had 23 saves for Fargo. The RoughRiders scored three times in the opening five minutes of the second period to take a 6-2 lead. After Matas Janulis pushed the lead to 7-2, Force winger Zac Zimmerman scored on the power play before Linus Rudslatt helped give Fargo a chance down the stretch. The Force (8-4) play at Sioux Falls at 5:05 p.m. Sunday. ]]>