Caps Complete Comeback in OT
October 2, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release
If the quote "better late than never" was a hockey game, it would have been about tonight's overtime thriller. Down two goals with less than 7 minutes left in regulation in their home debut, the Capitols struck twice to equalize the game against the defending Clark Cup champions, the Chicago Steel.
Quinn Finley, with one of the prettiest forehand to backhand dekes you'll ever see, buried the overtime game winner top shelf just 1:19 into the extra frame.
"It was an unbelievable pass by [Ben] Dexheimer," Finley said of his teammate who sprung him with a deep pass between two Steel defenders. "I knew I had to make fake a shot and once he bit on it I just put it over his shoulder."
The comeback was on once recently named alternate captain, Reid Pabich, put home a loose puck out front of the Steel net with 6:37 left in regulation. Pabich's goal, which was assisted by Jack Musa and captain Jack Horbach, pulled the Capitols within one. Being quick on their sticks, Madison buried the equalizer after taking care of another loose puck just outside Chicago's cage with 1:54 to play in regulation. Michigan commit Tyler Haskins netted his first goal of the season on the play. Finley and Dexheimer were credited with the assists.
"Resilient" is how Capitols head coach Tom Upton described Madison's gritty come from behind performance tonight.
"We stuck to our game plan," Upton said. "That's the one thing that I'm most proud of the team for is, we stuck to our game plan and we stuck to our identity."
The Capitols earn their first win at Capitol Ice over the Steel since January 13, 2018.
It's been almost 600 days since the Capitols played at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena and in their 2021-22 home opener, they didn't disappoint.
The Capitols return to action next Friday and Saturday when they take on the Youngstown Phantoms back at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.
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United States Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2021
- Caps Complete Comeback in OT - Madison Capitols
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