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USHL Madison Capitols

Capitols Battle Tough in Finale with Team USA Before Falling

February 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI- The Madison Capitols (18-16-9) erased a 2-0 lead to tie the score, but Team USA responded to snatch a 6-3 victory from the Capitols at the Alliant Energy Center on Saturday.

Garrett Metcalf got the nod in net and had a strong opening period as Team USA outshot Madison 21-2. However, the Capitols netminder could not keep the Americans off the board for the duration of the frame.

First, at even strength, Chad Krys spotted Jeremy Bracco at the side of the net from the high slot, and Bracco tapped the quick feed home for his third goal in two days to make it 1-0 at 15:27.

Just moments after the opening goal, Madison was guilty of a penalty, and Team USA's lethal power play, which went 4-for-5 on Friday, picked up where it left off. Charlie McAvoy controlled at the blue line and launched a wrister through traffic, and Matthew Tkachuk was able to tip it past Metcalf to make it 2-0 at 16:08.

Metcalf's strong performance gave his offense time to find its rhythm, and the Capitols bounced back with a strong second period performance to get back into the game.

After not being able to register many shots in the first, Luke McElhenie roared down the left wing side and surprised Luke Opilka to make it 2-1 at 6:38.

Shortly after the tally, Madison upped the ante in the offensive zone, and a pair of Ohio State commits combined to deadlock the score. Freddy Gerard worked a puck off the back wall and quickly turned a forehand feed in front to Sam McCormick, who beat Opilka to tie the game 2-2 at 8:51. Metcalf continued to provide the backstop for Madison, stopping 30 pucks through two periods.

It would not be enough on this night for the Capitols, though, as Team USA rallied behind a familiar name in the third period to jump to victory. After scoring in the first, Tkachuk broke the 2-2 with a quick snapper from the slot at 2:18.

Jack Roslovic then upped the advantage to 4-2 with his second in two nights at 5:54 before Tkachuk finished his hat trick at 13:48 to put Team USA on top 5-2.

Haralds Egle brought Madison back to within two at 16:42, jamming a puck home from the left circle before Troy Terry ended the scoring into an empty net with a minute remaining.

Metcalf finished the night with 44 saves in the Madison goal crease.

The Capitols will wrap up a three-game weekend as they travel to Chicago on Sunday for a 3:30 p.m. encounter with the Steel. Coverage can be heard on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone in Madison or online at www.madcitysportszone.com .

The Capitols return home on Sunday, March 8 for a matchup with the Bloomington Thunder. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. and there will be a post-game skate with the team and D.C. Eagle.

Tickets for that game and any of the Capitols' remaining 2015 home games can be purchased by visiting www.madcapshockey.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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