Wed, May 10th, 2023 - 8:12pm
May 01, 2023 - 4:50pm | By James McCarty
On Monday afternoon four members of the Fargo Force were honored across the league. Three were given All-USHL honors while one earned a spot on the USHL All-Rookie Team.
Forward Cole Knuble and defenseman Joe Palodichuk were named to the All-USHL First Team while goaltender Matej Marinov was honored on the Second Team. As for Mac Swanson, he earned a spot on the USHL’s All-Rookie First Team.
Knuble dominated all season long leading the Force in scoring. He racked up 66 total points on 30 goals and 36 assists in 57 games. After his USHL career ends, Knuble is committed to playing Division I college hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
Palodichuk is one of the top defensemen in the USHL and it stems from his production on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. In 44 games this season, he tallied eight goals and 21 assists for 29 total points. He has continued to improve defensively, earning a spot on the USHL’s top team this season after being named the recipient of the Force’s “Outstanding Defenseman Award”. After his time in the USHL, Palodichuk will play Division I college hockey at the University of Wisconsin.
Marinov had one of the most impressive seasons between the pipes in franchise history, helping Fargo to 40 regular season wins and the teams first Anderson Cup (Most points in the USHL). He began the season with a record breaking streak without a regulation loss, going 20-0-1-3 until late March. This season he was honored at the USHL Goaltender of the Week four times, and finished the regular season second in GAA (2.36) and save percentage (.917). Following his USHL career, Marinov has committed to playing Division I college hockey at Quinnipiac University (reigning 2023 Division I National Champions).
Swanson had an impressive first season in the league, earning a spot on the USHL’s top Rookie Team. During the regular season he played in 57 games totaling 55 points on 12 goals and 43 assists. He led the Force and all USHL rookies in assists. Once his time playing in the USHL comes to an end, Swanson will play Division I college hockey at the University of North Dakota.
The top seeded Force have advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they will square off with the No. 3 seeded Lincoln Stars. The best-of-five series will begin at Scheels Arena on Thursday evening with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m.
Series schedule:
Game 1 - Thursday, May 4: Lincoln at Fargo @ 7:05 p.m.
Game 2 - Friday, May 5: Lincoln at Fargo @ 7:05 p.m.
Game 3 - Sunday, May 7: Fargo at Lincoln @ 5:05 p.m.
*Game 4 - Monday, May 8: Fargo at Lincoln @ 7:05 p.m.
*Game 5 - Thursday, May 11: Lincoln at Fargo @ 7:05 p.m.
*If necessary
