USHL Madison Capitols

Caps Fall as Gamblers Even Cheese Cup Series

December 11, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Green Bay, WI - The Madison Capitols (8-12-1-2) had few answers for a stifling Green Bay Gamblers (13-9-0-1) defense, and Adam Huska made 20 saves to shut out the Capitols, 3-0, on Friday at the Resch Center. The Gamblers' victory evened up the Wisconsin Cheese Cup season series, 2-2, as the home team has won each of the first four meetings.

Despite the game being a fourth meeting between the two clubs, the opening period began at a crawling pace, with both teams struggling to generate offense. In a period that featured just 15 shots on net, goaltenders Adam Huska (GB) and Garrett Metcalf (MAD) did not need to a break a sweat very often.

The Gamblers would get onto the score sheet before the period's closing, though. Defensive minded blue-liner Gordi Myer picked up a puck at the center point and threw it to the net, where it squeaked between Metcalf's legs and broke the ice at 15:36 of the opening period.

Green Bay had a chance to extend its lead on a power play that ended the first period and carried into the second, but could not tally. Metcalf did his best Gumby impression at one time, as he dove and lurched at a backdoor pass to the right post to deny Myer a second goal early in the second frame.

The Capitols would be granted cracks in the door to claw back into the game, with three power play chances in the middle frame, including a brief 5-on-3. Moments after the Capitols' power play ended, Eetu Selanne then had a chance to tie the game, moving in all alone on a 2-on-0 with Charlie Parker. However, Selanne tried to beat Huska by himself, and the goaltender plucked it out of the air with the glove to keep the Capitols at bay.

Just moments later, the Gamblers got a debilitating insurance goal, as John Leonard roared over the left side and beat Metcalf over the glove hand to make it 2-0 at 15:17.

The Capitols never could discover their offense in the final frame, mustering just 20 shots on net throughout the game, and Huska continued to flash the leather when called upon to preserve Green Bay's first win in the last four games.

The Gamblers got one more tally for good measure from defenseman Connor Mackey in the opening three minutes of the final frame to round out the scoring. Metcalf finished the night with 29 stops for the Capitols as Green Bay evened the Wisconsin Cheese Cup season series at two games apiece.

The Caps look to salvage a win from the weekend on Saturday as they rematch against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Alliant Energy Center for a 7:05 p.m. start.

The border battle tomorrow night also marks the second annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans can bring new stuffed animals and chuck them onto the ice for the Capitols' first goal, with donations being made to Toys for Tots. Tickets are available by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com or by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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