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USHL Madison Capitols

Blacker Blanks Capitols, Cedar Rapids Triumphs

February 5, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA - The Madison Capitols (15-20-2-2) had few answers for a stifling Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (26-10-2-1) squad, as the RoughRiders skated off with a 3-0 win at The Stable on Friday night.

Through five games in the season series between the two clubs, the power plays had not played a major factor, with just five man advantage goals combined between Madison and Cedar Rapids.

Tonight, however, the RoughRiders rediscovered their power play, which had connected 24 times in 22 games on home ice entering play. Just 3:04 into the first period, with the Capitols playing a man down, Hugh McGing scooped up a rebound off a Cal Burke shot to beat Ryan Edquist down low to give Cedar Rapids the early 1-0 edge.

The Capitols had to deal with another RoughRiders' power play just over four minutes later as Ryan Lohin was whistled for a check from behind. With just two seconds left on the ensuing power play, at 9:08 of the period, 6-foot-4 Matt Gosiewski parked himself in front of Edquist and tipped a Jack Ahcan point shot into the top shelf to push the Cedar Rapids lead to 2-0.

Madison had one power play chance to respond, but Ben Blacker and the Cedar Rapids defense held down the fort. It appeared the RoughRiders may take a 3-0 lead late in the period, but Edquist came up large with a pair of saves in the period's dying seconds to preserve the 2-0 score.

With 1:34 of power play time to start period two, the RoughRiders could not extend their perfect power play streak, but the defense and Blacker maintained their advantage.

Cedar Rapids added more insurance at 7:59 of the second period. After being denied on a dash into the offensive zone and an ensuing wraparound try, Matt Filipe re-gathered the puck in the high slot and flicked a shot past Edquist to push the Cedar Rapids lead to 3-0.

The Capitols would shut Cedar Rapids down defensively, as Edquist rebounded nicely to finish his evening with 25 saves, but the offense could not solve a RoughRiders defense that locked down the neutral zone and prevented Madison from generating any kind of strong breakout attacks.

Blacker finished off his second shutout of the season and USHL-best 21st win with 26 saves. He gave up just four goals in four games against the Capitols in the season series.

The Capitols complete their state tour of Iowa on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. for their lone trip to Young Arena to take on the Waterloo Black Hawks.

The Capitols then briefly return to Madison on Wednesday, Feb. 10 for a battle with the Muskegon Lumberjacks at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena (2616 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton). This venue change is for Feb. 10 only, and fans with tickets marked for the Alliant Energy Center can use those to enter at Capitol Ice Arena.

General admission tickets for Wednesday's game are $10 apiece, and groups of 10 or more can call (608) 257-CAPS (2277) to reserve $8 group rate tickets (minimum 10 people).

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