Chase Grant out for Clark Cup Game 5

Fargo Force Captain and Oklahoma Native Chase Grant will be out for the 5th and deciding game of the USHL Clark Cup Championship tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. During the 1st period of Saturday's Game 4 in Fargo when he got hit along the left wing boards that he fell awkwardly and injured his right knee.

After an MRI discovered that the right knee was bruised and it had swelled a little bit. Even though it would be a little bit painful to play on it for the 5th and deciding game tonight. Another hit like he had could do some serious damage and would mean a long off-season of rehab and recovery as Grant gets ready for his college career to get going next year at Minnesota State, which is located in Mankato which plays in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Grant was selected unanimously as team Captain before the season started and he has delivered very well. Not only as a team leader, but on the score-sheet as well. After leading the team with 28 goals (50 PTS Overall).

During the playoffs as well, he's showing that he's becoming a force with 14 points (9G 5A) in 12 playoff games this year. His best playoff performance was getting a hat trick in Game 3 against Omaha during the West Division Final. He's also been able to show his hard work, especially along the boards and around the net on both ends to help make the difference in very close games. This should help him a lot when he arrives at Minnesota State University next season.

During the Clark Cup Championship Series, he was held pointless in the first 2 games. But he did score twice in a very close game that went into Triple Overtime where the Force lost 4-3. He also had what would have been the go ahead goal midway through the 3rd period in Game 3, that was until Green Bay Forward Anders Lee scored an extra attacker goal with just 49 seconds left in the 3rd period. So he's shown that he can score at big times during the playoffs. Green Bay later went on to win in triple OT to force a Game 4 in the Championship Series.

He also had the game winner in Game 5 against Omaha which allowed the Force to pull away in the 3rd period when Force Teammate Matt Leitner scored twice in the last 7 minutes to win 5-2 and win the West Division Title in 5 games. Leitner is also heading to Minnesota State University after his junior career is over, along with Corey Leivermann and J.P. Burkemper as well.

Will Grant's absence make a difference tonight or will the team come together to pitch in for their injured captain tonight in Green Bay? We'll find out tonight as the Clark Cup Championship will be awarded tonight.


USHL Clark Cup Championship Scores

Game 1: Fargo Force 2 Green Bay Gamblers 0 (0-0, 2-0, 0-0)
http://ushl.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=1272859

Game 1 Story: www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3232


Game 2: Fargo Force 4 Green Bay Gamblers 1 (1-0, 2-1, 1-0)
http://ushl.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=1272860

Game 2 Story: www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3235


Game 3: Green Bay Gamblers 4 Fargo Force 3 (3OT) (0-1, 2-0, 1-2, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)
http://ushl.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=1272861

Game 3 Story: www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3254


Game 4: Green Bay Gamblers 5 Fargo Force 3 (4-3, 0-0, 1-0)
http://ushl.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=1272862

Game 4 Story: www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3258


Championship Series Notes

One of the first big things to check out is that the road team has won every game in this series. Both teams have been strong on the road during the playoffs. Both teams are 5-1 on the road in this year's playoffs. Fargo's only road playoff loss was Game 1 against the Omaha Lancers in the Division Finals. For Green Bay they hasn't dropped a single game on the road as well.

This will be Green Bay's first Game 5 of this year's playoffs while Fargo won 5-2 in the West Division Final against Omaha.

As for the Team Leading Scorers (Matt Leitner for Fargo & Anders Lee for GB). Leitner has been on a 7 game point scoring streak which includes 6 goals since it started back on April 17 against Omaha. In fact, if it weren't for the series opener against Omaha, he would have at least a point in every game of the playoffs.

Green Bay's Anders Lee has had 5 multi point games in the playoffs. After being held scoreless for the first two games against Fargo, he's scored 4 points over the last 2 games, which includes a 3 point game back during Game 3 back on 5/7.

The Goaltending battle between Fargo's Ryan Massa and Green Bay's Steve Summerhays has been interesting. Fargo's Massa had the better of the two in the early series as he stopped 66 of 67 shots in the first two games, including a Game 1 Shutout. To counter the Game 1 Shutout, Summerhays has won 4-3 and 5-3 games.

So in a possible low scoring game, expect Massa to have advantage in that front. But if theirs a problem with Massa, his backup, Dyan Belfour has hardly had any playoff action this season. He only played in 19 games this season where he got traded from Waterloo to Fargo midway through the season.

As for Green Bay Backup Ryan Mckay, he hasn't played a single minute in the playoffs, but had a decent regular season by going 14-8-2, he came in mostly in relief roles for Summerhays this season. They hoping that he can eventually become the new starting goalie for Norte Dame University after this season ends.

So based on his regular season performance, he could come in if Summerhays has a bad night. But with the final game of the Championship Series tonight, don't expect to see him tonight with a title on the line.

You can check out these websites to find out more on tonight's Game 5.

United States Hockey League: www.ushl.com

Fargo Force: www.fargoforce.com

Green Bay Gamblers: www.gamblershockey.com

Here's a link to a bunch of stories that is on the USHL Website going into tonight.
www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3264

One of the best websites that will cover the game is the B2 Networks where they cover all sorts of hockey leagues from all over North America tonight.

B2TV: www.b2tv.com

USHL on B2 TV: www.b2tv.com/upcoming_events.asp?q=l&value=ushl

Article on OKC Native Chase Grant as the Fargo Force get ready for USHL Clark Cup Final

Here's an interesting article from the In Forum Newspaper which is in Fargo takes a look at Oklahoma City Native Chase Grant as he has become one of the team's most popular players from the fans and within the org. It takes a look at rise in the sport coming out of the Sooner State.

From Kerry Collins of the Fargo In Forum Newspaper: www.inforum.com

Many years ago, a Canada Native in the United States got stationed in Oklahoma.

The twist of fate introduced Chase Grant to Hockey, and produced one of the most popular players in the two year history of the Fargo Force junior Hockey Team that will play in the USHL Clark Cup Championship Series starting Friday Night.

The Air Force Hockey enthusiast was a neighbor of the Grant Family.

"He got my brother and me involved in hockey, and we are all," Grand said. And i'm not big enough to play football."

The 5'11", 175 pound forward from Oklahoma City has become a fan favorite because of his tireless work ethic and willingness to do the dirty work in the corners and in front of the net.

"He works so hard, and he does the things that a lot of players don't want to do," Force coach Steve Johnson said. "He shows what happens when your always working hard."

"It's not always about skill all the time. He makes things happen."

Grant scored just 28 points last season, but committed to Minnesota State Mankato last summer. He said it took some pressure off going into the season, but it didn't lower his goals.

"It definitely helped having that out of the way so I could just worry about getting better," Grant Said.

Heading into his 2nd season with Fargo, Grant said that he wanted to be the captain. His teammates agreed - voting him unanimously to wear the "C" on his jersey.

"There are guys that want that, and Chase is definitely one of them," Johnson said. The Guys really, really look up to him, and that comes from his consistency."

"He's always on an even keel, and everybody respects that."

Grant also has the knack of citing his teammates for creating the bulk of the scoring chances on the ice. He's been on a line with Matt Leitner - who is also headed to Mankato - for the better part of two seasons. Grant said his familiarity with Leitner and nearly tripling of his goals from last year is no coincidence.

"My job is to get him the puck and get to the net, because he is going to find you," Grant said. "And you better be ready. Even if it looks impossible, he'll find a way to get you the puck.

"Now i'm always ready, and that's made me a better player."

Grant usually dosen't need any extra motivation, but he got some after Game 2 of the West Division Final against Omaha. At the end of Fargo's 4-2 victory, teammate and friend Corey Leivermann was sent to the hospital after a nasty check from Omaha's C.J. Ludwig in the closing minutes.

Grant punished the Lancers with his play in the next game, scoring the first hat trick in the Force's playoff history to lead the Force to a 4-3 win. Fargo went on to win the series in 5 games.

"Here was a guy that I played with for 2 years, and i'm close friends with. It was like a family member was down on the ice," Grant said. "You're worried about his health, but after we found he was ok, that just focused us on the rest of the series.

"It worked out that way, and sometimes it's nice for people to get what they deserve."

Johnson said getting back to the Clark Cup Final for the second year in a row was especially important for Grant - not only because he's the captain of this group, but because of how much of the group means to the captain.

"This is important to him, and this is what he's got all those guys working for," Johnson said. "They respect him, but they believe in him, too."

"He was our leading goal-scorer this season, and in the playoffs. Hopefully he's the leading goal-scorer in the Finals."

Q & A with Fargo Force Chase Grant

A native of Oklahoma City, Chase Grant has had a strong junior career which includes a USHL Clark Cup Championship Final Appearance last spring and a recent commitment to Minnesota State University.

During his career in the USHL, he has been an increasing impact on the team by both a physical presence by registering over 120 penalty minutes in their career and has already surprised his goal scoring totals by scoring 11 goals in just 25 games while scoring just 10 goals in 57 games last season. He will also be looking surprise his assist totals this season with 7 assists while he had 18 last year.

In the playoffs last year, he scored 5 points (3G 2A) including an assist in game one of the Clark Cup Championship Series and in the opening game of the West Division Final against the Lincoln Stars where he scored twice. Long after his career ends, he hopes to be a part of a hockey boom in Oklahoma to tell players that players can have successful careers in a place like Oklahoma where the sport isn't that big.

1. Since Ice Hockey isn't big in Oklahoma, how did you get into the sport living in Oklahoma City?

We had a Canadian Neighbor that got me and my brother into the sport!

2. How were you first noticed by the Fargo Force?

I played for the Dallas Stars AAA team for 2 years and the Force recruited me at the national championship tournament in 2008.

3. After making the USHL Clark Cup Final in the team's first season, did you think that your team overachieved last year?

At the beginning of last year I wouldn't have dreamed of making it that far. By the end of the regular season were so used to winning that a 7-0 start in the playoffs wasn't too surprising to us.

4. How do you see yourself becoming a factor when you arrive at Minnesota State University next season?

I see myself doing the little things to be an impact player and doing whatever it takes to be a positive force for the team.

5. How do you think you can use your influence and success to help improve both the quality and the number of players playing Ice Hockey in Oklahoma?

I think just being one of the few guys that has made it out of Oklahoma to go on and get a scholarship in hockey is a good influence on the kids even though hockey is not big in Oklahoma.

Quick Hits

Best and Worst Road Trip in the USHL?
Best: Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln Stars)
Worst: Tie between Des Moines Buccaneers and the Indiana Ice

Thing you miss most about living in Oklahoma City?
My Family and the Warm Weather

What TV or Movie Charcter would make a great hockey player?
HAHA No Idea

How do you get pumped up for a game?
I Usually try to to visualize the game and get a little angry before the puck drops.