USHL Madison Capitols

Gerard Breaks Third Period Tie to Snap Caps' Streak

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


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (7-8-0-0) successfully rallied from a first period hole to take down the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (8-6-0-1) by a final score of 2-1 on Friday night at the Alliant Energy Center.

After mustering just 20 shots in their Saturday meeting against Cedar Rapids, the Capitols came out in the first period with a more targeted push to the net, sending ten bids on goal in the opening twenty minutes. However, Ben Blacker had the replies for the RoughRiders, going 10-for-10 on the saves.

Matt Filipe tallied the only goal of the period for Cedar Rapids on his team's first shot attempt at 5:45. A shot from the high slot off the stick of Riese Zmolek caromed off the boot of the big winger in front and ticked past Ryan Edquist to give the RoughRiders the 1-0 lead.

Madison had a chance to answer on a first period power play, as Ryan Lohin fed a silky pass into the middle of the ice for a Guillaume Leclerc tip, but Blacker slid across to smother the dangerous attempt. Madison's power play entered having been 0 of its last 26, but the penalty kill for the Capitols remained strong, fending off one Cedar Rapids power play chance and keeping the RoughRiders off the board through much of a second man advantage late in the period.

Madison would kill the remainder of the Cedar Rapids power play before receiving a second power play chance. With the power play skid at 0-for-27 since October 16, Tommy Muck took matters into his own hands and ended the slump, beating Blacker on a long left-point wrister through bodies in front. The defenseman's third goal of the season got Madison even and fueled what would be a strong middle period for Troy G. Ward's team.

For a second straight period, Madison turned double-digit shots at the goal, but Blacker was able to withstand the furious Madison push, including a spectacular sprawling pad save on Charlie Gerard on a perfect two-on-one pass from Haralds Egle.

At the other end, Edquist would have to come up with a large save in the period's dying minutes as well, as he got just enough of a Hugh McGing offering to push a skidding puck wide of the net, preserving the 1-1 tie heading into the third.

Madison opened the third with 1:49 of available power play time, but could not take advantage. The tide of the game may have changed the most when Egle dropped the gloves just over seven minutes into the period with Zmolek following a post-whistle scrum.

After the penalties were sorted, Madison trotted out local product Mick Messner to take Egle's place, and just moments later, at the 7:59 mark, he gave an outlet pass to Guillaume Leclerc through center. On a two-on-one with Gerard, Leclerc hit his winger with a perfect feed, and Gerard beat Blacker for his sixth of the season to propel the Caps to the lead.

From there, Edquist and the defense were able to bend, but not break in keeping the RoughRiders off the board despite glorious chances in the last minute with the extra attacker on the ice. The 17-year-old goaltender finished his third USHL victory with a final total of 27 saves. Their losing streak now over, the Capitols will look to make it a perfect weekend with a trip to Chicago to take on the Steel on Saturday.

Coverage will kick off at 7 p.m. on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone, online at www.madcitysportszone.com, and on the TuneIn radio app.

Tickets to all upcoming Capitols home games, including the "Seats for Soldiers" military appreciation night on Weds., Nov. 25, 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 20, 2015


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