USHL Madison Capitols

McLellan & Godbout Notch Goals, But Gamblers Prevail

January 16, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (12-17-2-2) succumbed to a three-goal second period blitz from the Green Bay Gamblers (20-11-2-1) in a 5-2 loss on Saturday night at the Alliant Energy Center.

The Capitols came out hungry in a first period that saw them outshoot Green Bay 12-5 and get great chances on the game's lone power play in the first 20 minutes. However, Adam Huska continued his stellar season between the Green Bay pipes and had the answers on each of the Madison offerings. The Slovakia native entered the game with USHL-bests of a 1.65 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.

At the other end, Ryan Edquist was nowhere near as busy in the Madison crease in his first game since Dec. 19, but he fell victim to a pinball carom off the body of Chris Grando for the period's only goal at the 12:08 mark. Ryan Blankemeier skated in over the right side before wristing a low shot on Edquist, who elevated the rebound off of Grando, who was cruising past the net mouth.

A cautious first period gave way to a wild second period, as the Gamblers doubled their shot output and tripled their goal output. Quick strikes from Sam Saliba on a power play back-door play and Brett Gruber on a quick backhander in front put the Gamblers on top 3-0 at the 7:47 mark. The Saliba and Gruber goals were separated by just 1:36.

Tyson McLellan kept his flood gates open with his second breakaway goal in as many nights just 51 seconds after the Gruber goal to make it 3-1 at 8:38.

The Gamblers, though, would find a way to restore their three-goal edge, as Grant Frederic blasted a point shot through traffic and a Ryan Smith screen to put Green Bay ahead 4-1 at 12:08 of the middle frame. The Gamblers struck four times despite being outshot 26-18 through two, as Huska's stout netminding came to the forefront once again.

With a three-goal lead in tow, the Gamblers tightened up the hatches in the third period and stifled the Capitols offense. Each team would add one more goal of little consequence, as Marc Michaelis beat Edquist at 17:31 for his fourth of the season, while Marcel Godbout bounced in his 14th of the season on a ricochet from the left circle with 6.8 seconds to play to round out the scoring.

Huska picked up his 12th victory by virtue of his 30-save performance.

The Capitols will welcome members of the 501st Legion for D.C. Eagle's Star Wars Birthday Bash on Sunday against Cedar Rapids at 4 p.m. to round out their three-game weekend. Family Four Packs are also available for Sunday's tilt, with $48 packages that include four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of chips.

For ticket information, call (608) 257-CAPS or visit www.MadCapsHockey.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2016


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