Gamblers' Four Unanswered Goals Down Capitols

November 17, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release

Green Bay, WI - The Madison Capitols (6-8-0-0) once again found the game's opening tally, but the Green Bay Gamblers (9-5-0-1) continued their torrid month of November, rallying for a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night at the Resch Center.

The Capitols once again broke the ice on the scoreboard, the ninth time in their first 14 games that they pushed the first goal across the line. Off an offensive zone faceoff in the left circle, Tyson McLellan navigated the puck to Alex Payusov, and "Sasha" fired a surprise snap shot at the net, fooling Adam Huska and staking Madison to a 1-0 lead at 6:10 of the opening frame.

The lead would be short-lived, though, as the Gamblers got to the gritty areas to tie the score. Andrew Peeke held the puck at the right point, got a screen in front from the diminutive Brett Gruber, and wristed a shot off of Gruber's twig and behind Garrett Metcalf at 10:49.

Just 4:08 later, Green Bay struck off a Madison turnover at the offensive blue line, and on an odd-man rush, Jason Dhooghe slid a neat pass to Nick Poehling, who snapped a quick offering between Metcalf's legs to make it 2-1 Green Bay at intermission.

Huska came up large in the period's final minute, as Alec Broetzman stepped to the front alone, but the New York Rangers' draftee knocked it aside with the glove hand and arm to preserve the lead into the locker room.

The Poehling twins and Gruber continued to wreak havoc on Madison in the second period, as Gruber pulled a puck off the side of the net, deked Metcalf down to the ice, and slid a perfect pass in front to Jack Poehling, who joined his twin brother on the scoresheet at 6:08 of the second to extend the Gamblers' lead to 3-1.

Madison had stronger pressure in the middle frame, unleashing 13 shots at Huska, but the Slovakian goaltender was perfect in the middle stanza, including point blank stops on Ryan Lohin and Haralds Egle. At the other end, Metcalf stabilized, turning aside Marc Michaelis on what appeared to be a slam-dunk goal on the far post. Metcalf then slid to the other side of the net later in the period to deny Sam Saliba and keep his team within 3-1 heading into the second intermission.

After mustering just 20 shots on Saturday, Madison did not shy away from throwing pucks at Huska, but the Slovakian goaltender had almost all the answers for Green Bay, finishing his evening with 37 denials en route to his seventh victory of the season. Madison had an early power play chance in the third period, and Egle teamed up with Lohin on two gorgeous setups, but the puck rolled on the Madison captain on each occasion and the Capitols would not get any closer.

Joey Marooney rounded out the night's scoring with his team-leading sixth of the season, locating a loose puck off an area pass from Marc Michaelis to beat Metcalf at 7:03.

With the win, Green Bay made it nine victories in its last 11 games, while evening the season series in the Wisconsin Cheese Cup at one game apiece. Madison dropped its fifth game in succession despite outshooting Green Bay 38-28.

The Capitols return home for a rematch with Cedar Rapids on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Friday's game will be the Capitols' second annual Stuff the Bus drive. Fans who donate non-perishable food items or household supplies to the River Food Pantry will receive a ticket to a future Capitols game.

Tickets to all upcoming Capitols home games can be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS or by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com. A full promotional schedule can also be seen on the Capitols' web page under the Tickets tab.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 17, 2015

• Gamblers' Four Unanswered Goals Down Capitols - Madison Capitols
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• Chicago Steel Announces Partnership with Livingwell Cancer Resource Center for Movember Event - Chicago Steel
• Jozefek Named to USA WJAC Team - Lincoln Stars
• Capitols Visit Green Bay Looking to Cool off Gamblers - Madison Capitols
• Andrew Peeke Named to 2015 U.S. Select Team Roster - Green Bay Gamblers
• Pecararo Earns U.S. Honor - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Lancers' Oldham Named to U.S. Junior Select Team - Omaha Lancers
• Collin Peters Named to U.S. World Jr. Select Team - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Two Steel Players Named to USA Roster for World Junior A Challenge - Chicago Steel
• Knierim, Young Named to U.S. Junior Select Team - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• 20 USHL Players Named to U.S. Select Team - USHL
• Gamblers Raise $25,000 for Disabled American Veterans - Green Bay Gamblers

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