USHL Madison Capitols

Caps Set to Duel with Lancers at Ralston Arena

February 12, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Ralston, NE - The Madison Capitols (16-20-2-3) begin a season-long road trip nine games in length as they face the Omaha Lancers (20-16-2-1) on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. from Ralston Arena.

The Capitols will be looking to erase the agonizing loss they suffered on Wednesday night at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena, a 4-3 shootout defeat at the hands of the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The Capitols, trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, received goal contributions from Dmitri Buinitsky (first USHL tally) and Daniel Willett (third of season) in just 1:30 to vault to a 3-2 lead.

That lead would last into the game's final minute, when Grant Gabriele unleashed a one-timer past Ryan Edquist to force overtime and then a shootout, which the Lumberjacks won 2-0.

The Capitols begin their string of nine road travels in the next 22 days coming off of one of their best road performances of the season last Saturday in Waterloo against the Black Hawks.

On that night inside Young Arena, Ryan Lohin and Sam McCormick hosted an offensive clinic, combining for five goals and three assists. McCormick garnered the third hat trick in Capitols history and second this season. It was the first Capitol hat trick since Alex Payusov turned the feat on Oct. 16 against Team USA.

The Lancers find themselves in the third playoff position in the Western Conference with multiple teams hot on their heels. They have won six of their last ten games, but their home-ice record has slipped, as Omaha has won just ten of 21 games at Ralston Arena in 2015-16.

Omaha, while lacking a top-20 USHL scorer, does boast a balanced offensive attack that features six players with at least 20 points this regular season. Josh French leads all Lancer forwards with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists).

The Lancers have received stable goaltending from a committee featuring Kris Oldham (11-8-2, .913 save percentage & 2.67 goals against average) and Zackarias Skog (9-7-1, .911 save percentage & 2.60 goals against average).

New Capitols goaltender Drew Hotte, acquired earlier this week in a trade with Waterloo for Garrett Metcalf, faced the Lancers in Omaha earlier this season on Nov. 21, making 15 saves. He has yet to take his first shot as a Capitol.

The Capitols exit Ralston Arena and begin the trek back east to take on the Des Moines Buccaneers on Saturday at Buccaneer Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM The Zone.

The Capitols return home for a two-game weekend on Friday & Saturday, March 11-12, at the Alliant Energy Center for a pair of 7:05 p.m. puck drops against Sioux Falls and Youngstown respectively.

March 11 marks the Capitols' Cross Check Cancer initiative, as proceeds from ticket package purchases will benefit the UW Carbone Cancer Center, in conjunction with UW Health Sports Medicine, the Capitols' 2015-16 presenting sponsor.

March 12 brings about the return of four-legged friends to the Coliseum on Pucks N' Paws night, presented by Animart. Dogs will be permitted into the Alliant Energy Center on game night, and each pup will receive a doggy goody bag!

For more ticket information regarding future Capitols games back at the Alliant Energy Center, please call (608) 257-CAPS or visit www.MadCapsHockey.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2016


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