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USHL Madison Capitols

Caps' Top Line Cuts up Muskegon Defense in Victory

February 20, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Muskegon, MI - The Madison Capitols (18-20-4-3) again built up a three-goal lead, but this time finished off the task at hand, winning 5-2 over the Muskegon Lumberjacks (17-20-2-3) on Saturday at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The first period began very tentatively for both teams following a chaotic Friday night affair. Muskegon would dominate the shot counter in the first, with a 15-8 edge. Rem Pitlick continued his dominance on home ice with his 29th goal of the season off his own rebound at 15:16. It was the Minnesota commit's 11th straight game with a goal on home ice.

Despite a sluggish beginning and an uncharacteristic point blank miss from Sam McCormick, the Capitols stuck to the process and drew the game's first power play. At the 17:44 mark, Ryan Lohin showed his captain leadership, taking a pass from Phil Beaulieu and wristing one past Devin Cooley on the short side to bring the Capitols back even, 1-1.

Madison was not content with just the equalizer though, as they generated another extended bit of pressure in the offensive zone in the final minute of the period. With just 15 seconds left on the clock, Cooper Watson returned to the scoresheet for the first time in almost a calendar year, wristing a point shot through traffic on the glove side to put the Capitols ahead, 2-1.

At the other end, Ryan Edquist provided his team the chance to awaken in the first period, stopping 14 of 15 Muskegon shots in the frame.

The Capitols then turned the second period into their own shooting gallery, as they got the first ten tries at the net at new Muskegon goaltender Joey Daccord, who came on in relief of Devin Cooley after the first period.

Daccord kept the Caps at bay until the 6:08 mark, as Sasha Payusov, already with two assists on the night, roared in over the right wing and ripped a perfect short-side roof shot to push the Capitols ahead 3-1.

While Madison kept their discipline early in the night, Muskegon would finally receive a power play chance at the 10:13 mark of period two and make no mistakes. After Pitlick fed Matej Paulovic at the left post, he slung a pass to the far side. Collin Adams was denied on the first try, but Dante Palecco scooped up the rebound and shoveled it into the twine to pull Muskegon within a goal, 3-2.

With thoughts of a comeback for a second straight night, the Capitols quickly responded themselves courtesy of their hottest goal scorer. McCormick, who missed two point blank chances earlier, took matters into his own hands at 15:51. He picked up the puck at the right wing boards, neatly tucked the puck between the legs of Derek Daschke, stepped around the defenseman, then casually slipped a backhander through Daccord's wickets for his 23rd of the season. McCormick's fourth goal of the weekend gave the Capitols a 4-2 edge.

Muskegon had thoughts of again chopping the lead in half after being awarded a power play in the final three minutes of the period, but Edquist and the defense kept the door closed, and Daniel Willett blocked a last-ditch slot chance from Will Graber to preserve the two-goal lead into the third.

Armed with the exact same score situation to Friday night heading into the final period, the Capitols refused to allow a duplicate Muskegon comeback on Saturday. The Jacks picked up a power play chance early in the third, but instead it was the Capitols whose special teams proved to be just that. Lohin blocked a point offering, chipped the puck ahead to himself in center, won a race against Pitlick, and then unleashed a perfect wrist shot over Daccord's glove at 5:15 to round out the scoring.

Muskegon would get another power play chance in the waning minutes, but the Capitol defense held the fort down. Edquist completed his second career victory in Muskegon with 32 saves in the win.

Having registered points in their last six games, the Capitols take their longest trip, geographically speaking, next Friday and Saturday with a pair of games in Kearney, Neb. against the Tri-City Storm. They will then wind down their weekend with a visit to the Sioux City Musketeers on Sunday, Feb. 28.

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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