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USHL Madison Capitols

Gerard Leads Takedown of His Former Team

April 1, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (24-25-5-3) saw one of their original stars haunt them repeatedly as the Muskegon Lumberjacks (26-23-3-4) took down the Caps 7-1 at the Alliant Energy Center on Friday evening.

The first period saw nothing go right for the Capitols, who entered riding a seven-game win streak at the Alliant Energy Center dating back to Jan. 16. Ironically, it was a former Capitol responsible for much of the damage in a first period that saw Muskegon outshoot the Capitols 15-5 and outscore them 3-0.

Charlie Gerard, playing in his first game back in Madison since being traded in December, came out shot out of a cannon in the opening period. First, the shoot-first Gerard used his quick release to stun Caps goalie Daniel Lebedeff on the short side from a severe angle at 6:20 of the first to get the Lumberjacks on the board first off a power play chance.

Just 4:03 later, Gerard again lit the lamp, beating Lebedeff on a two-on-one to spell the end of the Finnish goaltender's evening at 10:23 of the first.

Ryan Edquist entered the nets for the Capitols and was tested almost immediately as USHL leading scorer Rem Pitlick had a pair of point-blank chances only to see them turned aside by his future University of Minnesota teammate.

Pitlick would get some payback though on a second Muskegon power play, working a perfect give-and-go off the rush with Collin Adams to finish off his 45th of the season at 15:51 to give his team the 3-0 edge after one period. It was Pitlick's 31st power play point of the season and ninth point against Madison in the last 10 periods.

With their 2-for-2 performance on the power play in the first, the Capitols' penalty kill suffered its fifth straight unsuccessful conversion against an opponent's power play.

The Lumberjacks did not ease off the throttle in the second as Matej Paulovic banked one off a Capitol skate and past Edquist at 1:33 of the second.

The Capitols briefly showed flashes of a comeback as Marcel Godbout buried his 22nd of the season on a feed from the side of the net from Billy Jerry at 5:05. Moments later, the Capitols got a one-time bid in tight from Eugene Fadyeyev that clanged off the post.

From there, Madison would not get any closer. Gerard finished his hat trick and a perfect 3-for-3 start on the man advantage for the Jacks this evening at 11:07 of the middle frame. It was the Rocky River, Ohio native's second hat trick in the USHL. He turned the trick with the Capitols on Feb. 22, 2015 against Chicago.

After Gerard's hat trick goal, the Capitols once again swapped goaltenders as Lebedeff returned, this time in relief of Edquist on a night when Madison could not find consistent answers against the Jacks' attack.

Muskegon added two more strikes in the third, as Collin Adams beat Lebedeff on a beautiful dash down the left wing, and then Gerard completed his four-goal explosion at 13:56.

The Caps seek payback on Saturday night against the Jacks for another 7:05 contest at the Alliant Energy Center. The loss Friday was the Capitols' first at the Coliseum in over two months.

Family 4-Packs will make their last appearance on Saturday, April 2. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of chips all for just $48. Packages are only available via pre-sale and will not be sold on game night at the Alliant Energy Center box office.

The Capitols close out their home campaign next Friday, April 8 at the Coliseum against the Bloomington Thunder at 7:05 p.m.

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