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USHL Madison Capitols

Gerard Scores Teddy Bear Toss Goal in Caps' Loss

December 12, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (8-13-1-2) exploded out of the gates but could not solve Hunter Miska and the Dubuque Fighting Saints (15-8-0-0) at the Alliant Energy Center, falling 4-1 on Saturday night.

The Capitols had their sights set on bringing the teddy bears to the ice quickly on Teddy Bear Toss night, as they peppered Hunter Miska's net with 14 shots in the opening period, including parts of two power plays.

The Fighting Saints goaltender, who entered play leading the USHL with 13 wins, showed he wanted no part of a stuffed animal celebration, making a pad-stacking save on Alex Payusov on a beautiful centering feed from Luke McElhenie, and then he denied McElhenie on a pair of in-tight deflections to keep Madison off the scoreboard.

At the other end, the Fighting Saints used their strong special teams to vault to a lead despite being outshot 14-6 in the period. First, the Smith twins went to work, as Mitchell outletted Evan through center ice shorthanded, where he rifled a wrist shot over Garrett Metcalf's glove hand to give Dubuque a 1-0 edge.

Not even four minutes later, Shane Kavanagh picked up his second power play goal in as many games against the Capitols, tapping home a perfect back door pass from Nathan Sucese at 13:45.

The Capitols continued to push a slew of pucks at Miska's net, but could not seem to find the answers, including a post-ringer from Phil Beaulieu on a power play early in the second stanza.

The Fighting Saints would get the next glancing blow in the back-and-forth physical battle, as Keegan Mantaro jumped into a rush, took a feed from Evan Smith, and beat Metcalf at 8:06 to make it 3-0. It was the defenseman's first USHL goal.

However, the Capitols would not go quietly in the middle frame, as Charlie Gerard finally solved Miska to bring about the rainstorm of teddy bears. Gerard moved in on the left-wing side on what became a 3-on-1 rush, looked off a pass, and then rifled the puck past Miska at 11:15. Gerard's ninth of the year brought him to a tie for the team lead in goal scoring and pulled the Capitols within two at 3-1.

The Capitols ran out of steam in the final period, only mustering five shots in the final 20 minutes. On the other side, Carson Vance ripped home his first goal as a Fighting Saint on a late power play to round out the scoring at 17:01.

The Capitols, who have now lost five straight contests, will look to get out of their rough patch on Friday as they host the Lincoln Stars at the Alliant Energy Center. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone. Tickets for the Ugly Sweater game are on sale at www.MadCapsHockey.com or by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277). Fans are also encouraged to bring out a frozen turkey to donation to the Salvation Army upon entry.

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