Special Teams Deliver Fifth-Straight Win over Madison
December 12, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
MADISON, Wis. - Special teams were the name of the game, as the Dubuque Fighting Saints continued their mastery of the Madison Capitols, defeating them 4-1 on Saturday night at the Alliant Energy Center. It was their fifth win against the Caps this season, and sixth in a row dating back to last season.
Two goals scored with special teams in the first period paced the way for Dubuque. Evan Smith got it started halfway through the first period while shorthanded following a Trey Dodd holding the stick penalty, ripping a snap shot from the top of the right circle through starter Garrett Metcalf. His twin brother Mitchell found him with a home-run feed leading to a one-on-one chance.
Shane Kavanagh extended his point streak to four games, capitalizing on a gorgeous back-door dish from linemate Nathan Sucese on the power play, slapping the puck past Metcalf to increase the lead to two. It proved to be the game-winning goal.
Smith continued his great night, finding Keegan Mantaro in the second period on a quickly developing two-on-one scoring opportunity. It was the Colorado-native's first USHL goal, roofing a shot over a sprawled out Metcalf.
Carson Vance ended the scoring for the Fighting Saints on the power play, blasting home his first goal of the season in the waning moments of the contest. Madison took two consecutive penalties towards the end, widening the gap, and ending the contest.
Hunter Miska allowed only a goal to Charlie Gerard on the night, denying 29 other Capitols opportunities. His stonewalling of Alec Broetzman set the table as part of a 14-save first period. Gerard's goal cut the Fighting Saints lead to two, but that would be as close as the Caps could get.
In the end, Miska notched his USHL-leading 14th win of the season. He has picked up the win in each of Dubuque's four consecutive victories.
Madison's home power play, which had been devoid of any traction all season, continued that way. They went 0-for-4 on the night. The chippy affair saw both teams total 18 different penalty infractions, and 48 minutes in penalties.
The Fighting Saints will take on Team USA U18s next Friday and Saturday. Both games will start at 6:00 CST and can be heard on Dubuque's Super Hits 106.1 FM, or watched on the USHL's streaming video provider, FASTHockey.
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