USHL Madison Capitols

Caps Down Steel 4-2 with Complete Home Victory

Published on January 29, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


The Madison Capitols knock off the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Steel, with a complete 4-2 home triumph tonight.

"I thought it was one of our most complete games of the year," Caps head coach Tommy Upton said. "Everybody worked and competed. Everybody. All 22 guys in the lineup. That was the most impressive thing, the work ethic and the compete."

The Caps work ethic and compete started early if not from the opening puck drop. Centerman Matthew McGroarty fired home a shot point-blank after receiving a fantastic centering pass from his winger, Barrett Brooks. Blueliner Ben Dexheimer secured the secondary helper on the games opening goal. Chicago would tie the contest at one apiece at the 16:54 mark of the 1st period. 46 seconds after the equalizer, the Caps recaptured the lead when Kyle Kukkonen got a stick on Jake Dunlap's centering pass on an odd-man rush. Captain Casey Severo was credited with the other helper. 34 seconds after taking the lead, Kukkonen wasn't finished lighting the lamp. The Anaheim Ducks draft pick took a short pass from Severo, walked into the attacking zone and rifled a wrist shot high blocker side from the high slot to beat Steel netminder, Christian Manz to take a 3-1 lead.

The second period saw Chicago score a power play goal after an unfortunate bounce to pull within one for the periods lone goal. PK regular Matt McGroarty made a great block in the high slot and the puck landed right on Chicago winger, Sam Lipkin's stick, who put it into an open net.

In the 3rd period, the Caps had another very strong showing. They had to weather a couple storms from the Steel which included killing off two more penalties, but panic never set in once. With 22.8 seconds left in regulation, Brendan Lamb put the nail in the coffin firing home an empty goal for his 7th of the season. Severo recored his third assist of the evening on the insurance goal.

Madison's penalty kill held the league's top power play to 1-for-5 tonight. Chicago came into tonight's game converting on 28.8 percent of its man advantage opportunities. Also having himself a solid defensive game was Capitols and former Chicago goaltender, Simon Latkoczy. Latkoczy stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced tonight including a game saving save on the Steel's late power play where he came all the way across his crease to shut the door on Adam Fantilli.

Tonight was Severo's 24th game played after starting the season on the IR. He notched his 6th multi-point game of the 2021-22 campaign. Joining in on the multi-point madness was alternate captain, Kyle Kukkonen. Kukkonen's three-point performance was his 8th multi-point game of the season and his second consecutive.

Madison will wrap up the weekend tomorrow against another tough opponent in the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Puck drop slated for 7:05 p.m. at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2022


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