USHL Madison Capitols

McLellan & Leclerc Each Score Twice in Loss

Published on September 26, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Dubuque, IA - The Madison Capitols (0-1-0) got major contributions offensively from a pair of skaters, but the Dubuque Fighting Saints (1-0-0) erased a 3-0 deficit to eventually complete a wild 6-5 win on Saturday at the Mystique Community Ice Center.

The opening frame started inauspiciously for the visiting Capitols, as Madison was forced to go shorthanded twice in the game's opening ten minutes, but the Capitols were able to kill off both Dubuque power plays.

Shortly after getting back to even strength, Madison went on the offensive. Cooper Watson let a point shot go from the left side, Guillaume Leclerc tipped it out front and located his own rebound to beat Saints goalie Hunter Miska at 8:02.

Just 27 seconds later, the Capitols struck again, as Eugene Fadyeyev got to a loose puck in the right wing corner and flung a cross-crease pass to Tyson McLellan. The newest Capitol quickly one timed it and got it past a sliding Miska to up the Caps lead to 2-0.

The Saints, visibly stunned following the quick two tallies, could not regain their legs before Sam McCormick moved in on a two-on-one rush and beat Miska at 16:11 to give Madison a three-goal first period lead.

It appeared Madison might extend the 3-0 lead even further as Daniel Willett drew a late penalty on the Saints, but instead Dubuque got a jolt of momentum from the penalty kill. Nathan Sucese raced ahead of the field off a shot block and slid a backhand shot through Garrett Metcalf's legs to bring the Saints to within two, 3-1, with just 24 seconds remaining in the opening period.

That jolt would become a full-on eruption for the Saints' offense to begin the second period. It took Dubuque just 55 seconds to cut the Madison lead to 3-2, as Dallas Gerads picked up a rebound at the left of Metcalf's net and tucked a rebound home to bring Dubuque to within a single goal.

Just over three minutes later, with a man advantage awarded their way, the Saints tied the game as Keegan Ford sailed a point shot past Metcalf's glove at 4:18 to tie the score, 3-3.

Leclerc found his way into the middle of the mayhem again at the 7:30 mark, as he was impeded on his way to the net on a mini-breakaway. Referee Lucas Martin awarded the Frenchman a penalty shot, the first in Capitols history, and the UMASS-Lowell commit squeezed his wrist shot through Miska's arm after it appeared to have been stopped.

The 4-3 lead would again not last for Madison however, as Willie Knierim used a long reach to tip a Sucese pass through Metcalf at 15:36 to bring the second intermission score to 4-4.

After playing from behind most of the night, Dubuque began the third with a flourish, taking their first lead at 5-4 courtesy of Collin Theisen at 4:41 on yet another shorthanded breakaway. Madison allowed only six shorthanded goals in the whole 2014-15 season, but surrendered a pair to the Saints on this night.

Madison would not go quietly, as McLellan picked up his second goal of the night on a double-minor power play at 6:45 of the third to tie the game at 5-5, but Dubuque would get the last laugh, as Trey Dodd punched a Mitchell Smith net-front pass through Metcalf to score the game-winner at 16:12.

The Capitols take their show back on the road next Saturday, Oct. 3 as they visit the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders from The Stable. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and coverage can be heard on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone, or online at www.madcitysportszone.com.

Madison Capitols 2015-16 season tickets and 12-game packages for next season are also available now by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com. Packages can also be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

Madison returns to open its home schedule on Friday, Oct. 9 for the Home Opener sponsored by River Valley Bank, as they host the Green Bay Gamblers at the Alliant Energy Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Madison Capitols Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2015


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