USHL Madison Capitols

Fidler's Heroics Get Caps a Point Before Falling in OT

Published on March 20, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI- The Madison Capitols (21-20-11) got a tying goal with under three minutes to play, but fell in overtime, 3-2, against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (36-16-0) on Friday at the Alliant Energy Center.

After scoring just twice in their last two games, the Capitols wasted almost no time getting onto the board in the opening period. Just 65 seconds in, Charlie Gerard took a wonderful indirect stretch pass from University of Wisconsin commit Tony Stillwell, roared in on RoughRider goaltender Ben Blacker, and beat him with a quick snap shot over the glove to make it a 1-0 game.

At the other end of the ice, Garrett Metcalf, a recent UMASS-Lowell commit starting his first game since Feb. 21, was a perfect backstop to preserve the early lead, blocking 12 first period shots away. Madison narrowly missed extending their streak of games with a power play goal to six, as Sam McCormick got a pass in the slot area late in the first. The Ohio State commit just barely missed the net as his quick shot whistled wide before caroming through the crease.

After remaining disciplined in the first, Madison succumbed to the red-hot Cedar Rapids power play in the middle period. After Guillaume Leclerc was whistled for high-sticking for four minutes just over two minutes into the period, Ross Colton picked up a loose puck and squeezed it past Metcalf from the left side at 2:38 to tie the game, 1-1.

The Capitols then lost Michal Kabac for the game after he was penalized for checking from behind, earning a game ejection. On the ensuing power play, Colton struck again, getting to a rebound off a Mitch Reinke point shot and beating Metcalf to put Cedar Rapids on top, 2-1, at 17:05.

After being outplayed in the first, the RoughRiders were the initiator of the action in the second, outshooting Madison 14-5 while going 2-for-4 on the power play in the middle frame alone. Cedar Rapids finished the season series with an incredible ten power play goals against Madison.

Madison had tough sledding in the early stages of the third period, but Metcalf continued to keep his team alive with clutch stops, including a sprawling glove save on his back right along the goal line on Hugh McGing.

After their goaltender kept them alive, the Capitols then went to the attack and on a third-chance rebound, Miguel Fidler was able to shove a loose puck through Blacker at the right post for his second goal as a Capitol. The Edina, Minn. native's tally at 17:15 forced overtime and gave the Capitols a point in the standings in their chase for a playoff spot.

Cedar Rapids ruined the Capitols' comeback plans, though, as Clark Kuster finished off a beautiful two-on-one feed from Cal Burke at 2:39 of the extra session to end the game. The RoughRiders have yet to lose an overtime game this season, picking up their fourth victory in the sudden death period in the process.

Madison returns to the ice on Saturday to face the Sioux City Musketeers, a team formerly coached by Capitols head coach Luke Strand. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting www.madcapshockey.com or by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

Capitols' 2015-16 season tickets are available now by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com . Fans who pay in full for season tickets by June 1 will receive a specialty season ticket holder jersey. Packages can also be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2015


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