Caps Stymied by Blacker in RoughRiders Win
November 27, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Madison Capitols (7-11-0-0) could not find a way to solve the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (11-6-1-0) defense and goaltending until late in the game, falling 4-1 at The Stable on Friday night.
After a third period that saw Madison get outshot by a 17-7 margin on Wednesday night against Waterloo, the Capitols responded in the first period Friday night with a heavy output of shots on Cedar Rapids goaltender Ben Blacker, outshooting Cedar Rapids 16-7.
However, Blacker came up with all the answers, with some help from a high-stick. It appeared Luke McElhenie had broken the scoreless deadlock in the period's second half, redirecting a Cole Hults point shot into the net, but the referees ruled the stick was above the crossbar, thus negating what would have been the game's opening goal.
The Capitols also had a power play chance, generating three shots at the net, but Blacker held down the fort for the RoughRiders. The 18-year-old, starting his 11th straight game, came up with many A-quality saves, including a left-handed snag of a Haralds Egle backhander in tight after the Latvian spun in the slot to gain control of the loose puck.
Blacker's strong first period provided his offense enough time to break its slumber into period two. First, Sam Sternschein, all by himself on a right-wing rush, decided to just throw a puck at the feet of Capitols goaltender Ryan Edquist. It caromed off the Capitols goalie and trickled just barely over the line to give Cedar Rapids the 1-0 edge at 2:20 of the second period.
With a taste of the goal horn fresh in their minds, the RoughRiders kept pushing the issue. After Mick Messner nearly broke in alone but lost the puck, Cedar Rapids roared back into the Madison zone in a 3-on-2, and Cal Burke one-timed a left wing pass behind Edquist to make it a 2-0 game at 6:04.
Cedar Rapids outshot the Capitols 13-6 in the second, and their two-goal burst would prove to be enough. The RoughRiders would add two more in the third period, as Hugh McGing tipped a point shot past Edquist at 12:58 before Matt Filipe added a shorthanded wrister at 15:44.
After Blacker went 35-for-35 through almost 58 minutes, Sam McCormick finally solved the Cedar Rapids goalie, breaking up his shutout bid, cleaning up a Daniel Willett point shot at 17:10. It would be too little, too late, though, for the Capitols, who went 0-for-3 on the power play. Edquist finished with 32 saves of his own for Madison.
The Capitols will quickly race back home to finish off a string of three games in four nights on Saturday night against the Green Bay Gamblers at the Alliant Energy Center. Puck drop on Saturday is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets to the third installment of the Wisconsin Cheese Cup series, presented by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, are available by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277) or visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com. Fans will receive specialty mustaches on Saturday to help promote men's health awareness to conclude "Movember."
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