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USHL Madison Capitols

Metcalf's 37 Saves, Selanne's Goal Not Enough for Capitols

November 14, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (6-7-0) got a stellar bounce-back performance from their goaltender, but the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (8-5-1) pumped home two quick goals to escape Madison with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night at the Alliant Energy Center.

After having a tough go of it on Friday night in Dubuque, Garrett Metcalf had a much better beginning to his night on Saturday en route to a 37-save performance, fending off a first period Cedar Rapids power play and going a perfect 9-for-9 on save chances in the game's opening 20 minutes. He bought his team some time to rev up the offense after Cedar Rapids got nine of the game's first 13 shots on net.

Madison got a pair of chances handed to them on power plays late in the first period, but Ben Blacker was perfect in the RoughRider crease, and the defense spoiled a number of opportunities via seven shot blocks. All told, the scoreless first period ended with Cedar Rapids outshooting Madison 9-7.

After being put together with Haralds Egle and Guillaume Leclerc on a line and scoring in the third period an evening ago, Eetu Selanne became the game's designated tie-breaker just past the halfway mark of the second.

After the Capitols kept Cedar Rapids hemmed in for an extended shift, Egle picked up the puck below the goal line, found a lane and feathered a perfect backhand dish to Selanne, who one-timed it home 11:54 for his second goal in two nights.

Egle's assist was his 12th of the year, propelling him to a tie for the USHL lead in that category.

Despite being outshot 26-14 through two periods, it looked like Madison might get to the second intermission dressing room with the lead until Hugh McGing blasted a left-wing slapper past Metcalf's glove hand with 1:29 to go in the period to get Cedar Rapids on the board in their final shot attempt of the middle frame.

After scoring the late goal in the second period to send the game into the third tied, Cedar Rapids boxed out in a crowded slot area to get the game winner. After Jack Ahcan fired a wrist shot through traffic, Tyler Irvine was able to locate a rolling puck in a sea of bodies and punch it through Metcalf to make it 2-1 at 2:41 of the third, giving Cedar Rapids two goals in just 4:10 of game action.

That would be all the support Blacker would need, as Madison continued to struggle getting pucks at the net, finishing the night with just 20 shots on goal, and Blacker's 19 saves proved to be enough. The Capitols had a chance with six forwards on the ice in the final minute to tie, but Sam McCormick saw his wrist-shot attempt get shouldered down by Blacker for one final stop.

The Capitols have now dropped under .500 for the first time since Oct. 16 with their fourth consecutive regulation defeat.

They will have a quick turnaround following the Saturday tilt, as Madison will travel to Green Bay for its first trip inside the Resch Center to take on the Green Bay Gamblers on Tuesday night.

The Capitols will then return home for a rematch with Cedar Rapids on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Friday's game will be the Capitols' second annual Stuff the Bus drive. Fans who donate non-perishable food items or household supplies to the River Food Pantry will receive a ticket to a future Capitols game.

Tickets to all upcoming Capitols home games can be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS or by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com. A full promotional schedule can also be seen on the Capitols' web page under the Tickets tab.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2015


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.

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