Caps Make History with First Clark Cup Playoff Berth Since Return to USHL

April 23, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release

It was a historic night for the Madison Capitols as they clinched their first Clark Cup Playoff berth since their return to the USHL in 2014. They only needed one point to clinch a spot but they got two when forward Quinn Finley buried a shootout winner in the third and final round.

"It feels unreal. It feels awesome," Capitols head coach Tommy Upton said. "This was one of our biggest goals of the year, to make playoffs for the first time in this teams history and we accomplished that tonight."

The Capitols jumped out to a 2-0 lead after goals from alternate captains Kyle Kukkonen and Reid Pabich in the 1st and 2nd periods respectively.

What's a historic night without a little drama? The Gamblers got a lucky bounce off a stick out front with six seconds left with the extra attacker on to draw even with the Capitols at 2-2. Having already clinched a spot in the playoffs by nabbing the an overtime point, Madison wanted to send their fans home happy with a win in their final regular season home game.

It was the second time this season the Capitols would have to settle a game in a shootout. Oddly enough, it was against the exact same team and by the exact same score of 1-0.

"A lot of people went into this accomplishment of this group making the playoffs," Upton said. "It's not just the group in there and it's not just our staff. We were the ones that got to live it today but there was a lot people in the past that helped us get here. I'm just really proud to coach the Madison Capitols."

The Capitols will wrap up the regular season tomorrow on the road against the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05 p.m. and then begin their playoff campaign on Monday.

United States Hockey League Stories from April 23, 2022

• Caps Fall in Regular Season Finale, Turn Focus to Playoffs - Madison Capitols
• Gamblers Cap off Season with Win - Green Bay Gamblers
• Storm Ties USHL Record for Most Points in Regular Season - Tri-City Storm
• RoughRiders Edge Fighting Saints in Overtime - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Three-Peat: Fighting Saints Capture Dupaco Cowbell Cup for Third Consecutive Season - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Hawks Playoff Schedule Set - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Hawks Shutout Caps in Season Finale - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Steel Clinch Top Seed in East, Defeat Muskegon 6-5 - Chicago Steel
• Jacks Fall 6-5 to Chicago in Regular Season Finale - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Lancers Fall to Sioux City in Last Regular Season Game - Omaha Lancers
• Caps Make History with First Clark Cup Playoff Berth Since Return to USHL - Madison Capitols
• Stars Fall in Kearney - Lincoln Stars
• Fighting Saints Notch 40th Win in Shootout - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Steel Earn Point But Fall 5-4 in Overtime against Muskegon - Chicago Steel

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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