USHL Madison Capitols

Edquist Dazzles, McElhenie Clinches Caps' Cheese Cup in Shootout

Published on March 18, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (23-23-5-3) got 39 saves from their starting goaltender and a clutch shootout winner from Luke McElhenie as the Capitols clinched their second straight Wisconsin Cheese Cup over their in-state rival Green Bay Gamblers (31-13-4-3) on Friday at the Alliant Energy Center, winning 4-3 in a shootout.

The Gamblers wasted little time beginning a shooting gallery session in an opening period that saw the visitors unleash 15 of the 19 shots in the frame. Ryan Edquist was the ultimate equalizer in net, stopping every shot that came his way, including a shorthanded mini-breakaway off Jared Spooner and a last-minute breakaway from leading Green Bay goal scorer Sam Saliba.

At the other end, the Capitols had a tough time generating offensive pressure in front of Gambler goalie Kevin Reich. Madison also only had one abbreviated power play in a first period that was controlled offensively by Green Bay.

A defense and goaltending-filled first period gave way to what could only be described as the ultimate antithesis in the second, as the attacks went off. With Green Bay operating on a power play, Marshall Moise began the mayhem with his second shorthanded goal in as many weekends, as he broke in alone and beat Reich on the stick side at 1:48.

To the Gamblers' credit, they bounced back, and on the same power play, they struck just 55 seconds later as Marc Michaelis released a shot that beat Edquist at 2:43 to tie the game, 1-1.

Green Bay wasted little time jumping to its first lead of the night, as Josh Dunne tipped a Gordi Myer shot-pass through Edquist just 24 seconds later to make it 2-1 at 3:07.

The Capitols then showed their resolve by picking up the equalizer at 6:21 off the stick of Garrett Klee. After getting denied what would have been his first USHL goal on a controversial call in the third period on Tuesday night, this time Klee earned his first with hard work to muscle the puck to the slot before punching a snap shot past Reich to even it up, 2-2.

Another 1:24 passed on the clock before Marcel Godbout hit the 20-goal mark with a two-on-one rocket that squeezed through Reich's armpit on the glove side to give the Caps the 3-2 lead after a wild second period.

With carry-over power play time to begin the third, the Gamblers struck just 23 seconds into the period to tie the score as Jack Poehling beat his former high school teammate Edquist to bring the game back even, 3-3.

Edquist and Reich then traded save after save in the third period, with each team generating scares against their opposition. 60 minutes solved nothing, and seven minutes of overtime also brought no resolution, leading to the shootout.

After stopping both Brett Gruber and Saliba, Edquist got help from his crossbar as Nick Poehling's shot clanged off the iron.

With the chance to win the Cheese Cup on his stick, it figured that Sauk City's McElhenie had the chance, and he unleashed a wicked wrister past Reich's stick, sending the Coliseum into cheese commotion.

The Capitols have now won six consecutive games at the Alliant Energy Center dating back to Jan. 17, while gaining points in their 12th game out of the last 15.

The Capitols complete their three-game week with a meeting against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Saturday at the Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. CDT.

Saturday will be a Craft Beer Night at the Coliseum, with ten different craft beers from breweries such as Sam Adams, Leinenkugel's, and more. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. for the Caps' second tangle with the Buccaneers.

Check out the Madison Capitols Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2016


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