Sports stats

USHL Madison Capitols

McCormick & Lohin Light up Scoresheet in Resounding Win

February 6, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Waterloo, IA - The Madison Capitols (16-20-2-2) received a scoresheet-filled performance from two of their most veteran forwards en route to a 5-2 win over the Waterloo Black Hawks (19-17-0-2) on Saturday night at the Young Arena.

After being shut out on Friday night in Cedar Rapids, the Capitols used their first power play chance of the night as the perfect excuse to bring their offensive woes to an end.

Ex-Waterloo forward Marcel Godbout picked up a loose puck and shoveled it toward the slot area, where captain Ryan Lohin located a rolling puck in tight, then deked to the backhand to shuffle his 11th goal of the season past Waterloo goalie Cale Morris at 6:23 to get the Capitols on the board first.

From that point, the period's star was in the Madison net, as Garrett Metcalf had answers on 15 Black Hawk chances in a frame when his team was outshot 15-6. Waterloo failed to strike on their lone power play of the period in a battle of the USHL's two lowest-ranked power plays.

Early in the second, the Capitols flexed their offensive muscle and their leading goal scorer began what would become a second period masterpiece. Sam McCormick took a stretch pass on the right wing side, cut in on goal, then made a slick backhand-to-forehand maneuver to beat Morris for his 17th goal of the season to make it 2-0 at 1:16 of the second.

Despite the 2-0 deficit, the Black Hawks continued to pour on the shots, and on a power play at 13:17, Zach Yon finally popped a puck behind Metcalf off the end wall to bring Waterloo to within a goal at 2-1.

Things looked dangerous for the Capitols as, while on the power play, Nick Swaney moved in on a shorthanded two-on-one for Waterloo, but Metcalf smothered his wrist shot bid. The Anaheim Ducks prospect upped his save total to 32 through two periods.

Just a few minutes later, while shorthanded themselves, the Capitols got their own odd-man chance with a man down, and Lohin found McCormick in the left circle for a perfect-one time burial to put the Capitols on top 3-1 with just 2:31 remaining in the period. The Capitols were able to bend but not break to kill off the remainder of the Waterloo power play to take the two-goal edge into the final period.

The third period began to look dicey for the Capitols as Collin Saccoman punched home a power play goal at the 3:08 mark to bring the Hawks to within a goal at 3-2.

Just a minute later, the Capitols captain had the quick reply, though, as Dmitri Buinitsky slid a pass to Lohin on a two-on-nothing rush to restore the Capitols' two-goal lead.

After fending off another Waterloo power play, Metcalf coasted to the win, making a final total of 42 stops for his 10th victory of the season.

Just to add icing on the cake, McCormick finished his first career USHL hat trick with his 19th goal of the season to make it 5-2 with less than a minute to play. McCormick and Lohin combined for five goals and three assists on the night. McCormick joins Alex Payusov and Charlie Gerard as the lone Capitols to tally hat tricks in team history.

McCormick's 19th goal of the season also set a Capitols' single-season record for goals scored. The Capitols briefly return to Madison on Wednesday, Feb. 10 for a battle with the Muskegon Lumberjacks at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena (2616 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton). This venue change is for Feb. 10 only, and fans with tickets marked for the Alliant Energy Center can use those to enter at Capitol Ice Arena.

General admission tickets for Wednesday's game are $10 apiece, and groups of 10 or more can call (608) 257-CAPS (2277) to reserve $8 group rate tickets (minimum 10 people).

Fans can follow along with the Capitols' road trip on Facebook (Madison Capitols Hockey Club), Twitter (@MadCapsHockey) and Instagram (@MadCapsHockey).

Check out the Madison Capitols Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Madison Capitols Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central