USHL Madison Capitols

Metcalf Holds Fort & McCormick Buries Steel in Final Moments

Published on October 25, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (6-3-0) got a clutch goal from Sam McCormick in the final 90 seconds of regulation and then survived a furious push from the Chicago Steel (3-7-0) in a 3-2 victory on Sunday at the Alliant Energy Center.

The Capitols would have to play from behind for a third straight day, as Chicago tallied on the game's first shot just 2:34 into the opening period. Alex Frye picked up the puck to the left of Madison goaltender Garrett Metcalf and threw it to the back door, where Marcel Godbout one-timed it home for his second goal of the weekend.

On Friday, it took Madison just 6:03 to go from down 1-0 to ahead 2-1, and on Sunday, the Capitols hit the comeback trail even quicker. Just 51 seconds after the goal by Godbout, Phil Beaulieu slid the puck to Alex Payusov in the left wing corner. The winger skated away from the net to the left circle before spinning a turnaround wrist shot into the top shelf past Daniel Vladar, sending the water bottle flying and tying the game, 1-1. It was Payusov's fourth goal in the last five games.

From there, the Capitols rode the momentum to a second tally at the 6:54 mark. Eetu Selanne worked a puck off the wall to Luke McElhenie in the slot area, who then spun a perfect feed to Tyson McLellan in the left circle. Just like Payusov, McLellan ripped a perfect wrist shot over Vladar's blocker hand and into the top shelf. It was the San Jose native's first goal in five games and fifth on the season overall.

At the other end of the rink, Metcalf was rock-solid after the Godbout tally, making eight strong saves following the goal on Chicago's first attempt. Madison also killed off the lone power play of the first period for Chicago following a hooking call on Carver Watson.

The two clubs could barely generate any offense in a middle frame marred by a clogged-up neutral zone. Chicago only had 16 shots on net through two periods, while Madison only mustered 9 opportunities in that same time. The Capitols' low shot total even included a pair of power play chances that went by the wayside.

In a spirited night that featured the first two fighting majors of the Capitols season to Garrett Klee and Cole Hults, the third period featured a return to offensive heroics. First, it was Chicago that tied the game courtesy of Lucas Michaud at the 5:33 marker. Michaud wrapped it on the goal from the left side, and it deflected up high in the air before plopping behind Metcalf and into the cage for the 2-2 tying goal.

Madison then had to play a game of rope-a-dope, as Karch Bachman had a shorthanded breakaway clang off the post behind Metcalf. Shortly thereafter, Mitch Lewandowski appeared to have an angle to the net on a wraparound shot at the right post, but Metcalf pinned his foot to the pipe and managed to keep the game tied, 2-2.

With Metcalf's 27 saves on the night buying his team time to recover through the furious Chicago rush, the Capitols turned one last ditch rush into the game winning goal with just 1:22 to play. First, Payusov picked up the puck on the left wing side, skated toward the slot and fed Ryan Lohin in the left circle. Rather than fire a shot blindly at the net, Lohin looked up and saw McCormick on the left post and hit him with a perfect pass and a slam-dunk goal for the De Pere native.

McCormick's fourth goal of the season proved to be the game winner, but it was not before a furious final minute of play that featured a flurry of Chicago desperation shots with the extra skater. Metcalf picked up his third consecutive victory and sealed a 2-1-0 weekend for the Capitols, who were outshot 29-16 on the night. With the loss, Chicago failed to get any standings points in an 0-3-0 weekend.

With the three-game weekend closed out, the Capitols receive a quieter Halloween weekend on their schedule, as they will be hosting just one game on Friday, Oct. 30 against the Omaha Lancers at the Alliant Energy Center with a 7 p.m. start time. Fans are encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes and bring the kids for trick-or-treating on the main concourse. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, www.MadCapsHockey.com, or by dialing (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2015


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