Capitols Welcome Omaha for First Time

January 31, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release

Madison, WI- The Madison Capitols (17-12-6) continue a five-game homestand on Saturday as they welcome the Omaha Lancers (20-11-5) to the Alliant Energy Center for the first time.

Both clubs are coming off of defeats on Friday night. Omaha fell to the Waterloo Black Hawks, 4-1 at Young Arena, while the Capitols dropped a 5-2 decision on home ice to the Chicago Steel. Sam McCormick and Jarod Zirbel scored for Madison in the loss, the Capitols' third straight.

Home ice has become a tough place for the Capitols, who have won just two of their last seven games they have hosted (including one at LaBahn Arena). Omaha will face the Capitols for the first time, and they enter tonight's action with a solid 10-4-3 record away from their home, Ralston Arena.

Highly-touted NHL prospect Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson leads the Lancers with 39 points, including a USHL-best 29 assists. He and 21-goal scorer Shane Gersich make up 25% of the team's scoring.

Madison continues to be without the services of leading scorer Will Johnson (36 points), but the Capitols have received steady contributions from Freddy Gerard (26 points) and Haralds Egle (22 points, five power play goals). Between the pipes, Garrett Metcalf and Darren Smith have continued to split time fairly evenly, with Smith accumulating 10 wins to Metcalf's 7.

The Capitols (40 points) will look to bounce back as they rest three points out of a USHL playoff spot entering play on Saturday. They did not lose any ground on Friday, however, as the Youngstown Phantoms (43 points) fell to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Madison stays on home ice for a crucial three-in-three weekend next Friday through Sunday as they host Waterloo and Youngstown (twice). Tickets for all contests are available by visiting the "Tickets" tab or by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2015

• Thunder Fire 47 Shots on Net in Shootout Loss - Bloomington Thunder
• Gersich Scores OT Winner over Madison 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
• Sioux City Stays out of Reach - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Phantoms Out-Chance Cedar Rapids, Fall in Weekend Finale - Youngstown Phantoms
• Recap: Lumberjacks Secure Three-Goal Second Period to Slash Past Dubuque - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Capitols' Gutsy Effort Forces Overtime Before Omaha Prevails - Madison Capitols
• Lumberjacks Hold off Saints Rally to Earn 3-2 Win Saturday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Thunder Road Trip Continues in Fargo - Bloomington Thunder
• Capitols Welcome Omaha for First Time - Madison Capitols
• Game Notes: vs Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms

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