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USHL Madison Capitols

Caps Survive Storm Rally in Nailbiting Shootout Win

February 27, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Kearney, NE - The Madison Capitols (19-21-4-3) survived another late third period rally from an opponent, as they knocked off the Tri-City Storm (23-12-7-5) by a final score of 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday at the Viaero Center.

For a second straight evening, neither team could find a goal in the first 20 minutes. The teams combined for just 13 shots on goal, and though the Capitols only registered four shots, they produced three quality scoring chances.

First, following a successful penalty kill, Phil Beaulieu jumped up into a counter rush and moved in right down the middle lane, but Jake Kielly, fresh off a 30-save shutout, came up with the blocker save, his first of the night, well past the nine-minute mark.

A few minutes later, Luke McElhenie jumped into a three-on-two rush and rifled a wrist shot ticketed for the net, only to have Kielly bat it away with the glove arm.

At the end of the period, Ryan Lohin took a saucer pass from Sam McCormick in a mini two-on-one, running over Kielly as he tried to force the puck home. However, Lohin's aggression gave Tri-City a power play that carried over into the second period.

The Capitol penalty kill bailed Lohin out early in the second, and then Lohin himself gave his team a power play opportunity after getting sent into the boards in front of his bench by Tri-City's Brandon Duhaime. However, like Tri-City, the Capitols could not strike with the power play, as the Caps fell to 0-for-2 through two periods with the man advantage to Tri-City's 0-for-3.

The Storm, which outshot the Capitols 24-13 through 40 minutes, could not find a crevice on Madison goalie Drew Hotte, who kept his team on even terms despite numerous dangerous chances, including a pair of golden chances in the final minute of the period. First, Alex Limoges spun a turnaround wrister through traffic, which Hotte blocked with the shoulder. Moments later, a point shot through a maze of bodies deflected toward the net, but Hotte kicked out the left pad to keep the game scoreless into the third period.

The strong defensive efforts finally gave way to a third period that was nothing short of chaos. Dmitri Buinitsky finally broke the ice in opening the scoring at 6:28 of the third. He picked up the puck in the offensive zone on the right side, cut to the middle, opening up space for himself, then outwaited Kielly before beating the Storm goalie to put Madison on top 1-0.

Hotte came up with large answers throughout a tight third period, and McElhenie put the Capitols ahead by two with his 11th of the season on a wrister from the slot at 17:09.

But this one was far from over, as the Capitols' third period bugaboos came back. First, after the Caps missed an empty net at one end, Max Humitz picked up the puck at the left wing circle and somehow found the top shelf over Hotte at 17:55 to cut the Capitols' lead to 2-1.

The Storm looked to steal the glory when John Marino one-timed a slap shot past Hotte with just 58 seconds left to pull Tri-City even with goals separated by just 1:07.

After neither team could find the net in a frenetic overtime period, the shooters became the superstars in the shootout. Buinitsky, Sam McCormick & Phil Beaulieu beat Kielly over the stick side, glove side, and five-hole respectively. The Storm did not go quietly, as Duhaime and Limoges both roofed perfect forehander's over Hotte's stick side.

After five shooters went perfect, Monte Graham, in trying to extend the shootout for Tri-City, lost control of the puck, allowing Hotte to pounce on it to preserve a nail-biting win for the Capitols.

The Caps finish off their three-game road weekend with a battle against the Sioux City Musketeers at 3:05 p.m. from the Tyson Events Center on Sunday. The Capitols then 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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