USHL Madison Capitols

Payusov Wills Caps Past Stars in Furious 4-Goal Comeback

Published on December 18, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (9-13-1-2) received a third period for the ages to erase what was once a 2-0 deficit as they defeated the Lincoln Stars (16-10-0-0) by a 4-2 final score on Friday night inside the Alliant Energy Center.

Garrett Metcalf (Salt Lake City, Utah) was immediately pressed into heavy duty service in the opening period for the Capitols, as the Stars raced to a 19-8 edge in shots. Included in Metcalf's 18 first period saves were three odd-man rush saves, including a sprawling glove snag on a breakaway.

Both teams had parts of two power plays to attempt to do damage in the opening period, but the penalty killers held the fort at each end. Patrik Virtanen picked up eight first-period saves for the Stars.

After peppering Metcalf's net with no letup, the Stars finally broke through at the 13:38 mark, as Adam Brady, with his back to the net, spun a perfect forehand pass through two Capitols to Biagio Lerario, who slammed it past Metcalf to give Lincoln the 1-0 edge.

The shot discrepancy did not change much in a second period that saw Lincoln put 13 more pucks on Metcalf, but the Anaheim Ducks' prospect continued to put together one of his better efforts on the season. Lincoln would break through to up their lead to two goals as Anthony Wyse found an alleyway on a point shot to beat Metcalf with 2:14 to play in the period to put the Stars ahead, 2-0.

However, the Capitols did not roll over with that insurance marker, as Charlie Gerard quickly got the Caps back within a goal with a dash down the center lane. Picking up a puck in the neutral zone, the Minnesota State commit split the Stars' defense before deking to the backhand and beating Virtanen for his tenth goal of the season. The goal came just 37 seconds after Wyse had made it 2-0, and Madison got the score down to 2-1 heading into the second intermission break.

The Capitols used the Gerard goal as a springboard into a third period that rivaled the best stretches they have played in team history. After receiving yet another power play chance, their sixth of the night, the Capitols finally broke through. After Lincoln was caught with too many men on the ice, Phil Beaulieu launched a point rocket that was tipped by Sam McCormick. After hitting the post, McCormick cleaned up the miss to tie the game, 2-2, at 10:12.

Just 52 seconds later, Alex "Sasha" Payusov then completed a move so advanced and mind-boggling that it left the Alliant Energy Center crowd in pandemonium. After picking up the puck on the right side wall, he deked to the slot, spun around to his backhand, and feathered a pass behind his body to McCormick, who slammed it home at 11:04 to make it 3-2.

The Quebec native was far from finished, though. After Metcalf held down the 3-2 score by making the last of his 38 stops, Payusov then played a Beaulieu bank shot off the end glass to beat Virtanen on a power play with 1:30 to play to round out the 4-2 final score.

Payusov's takeover of the third period propelled the Capitols to their first victory since Nov. 28 and earned Metcalf his sixth win of the season in perhaps his best start of the year to date.

The Capitols will wrap up their pre-Christmas slate with a visit to the Resch Center against the Green Bay Gamblers on Saturday. The fifth installment of the Wisconsin Cheese Cup series will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday on 106.7 FM, 1670 AM, The Zone.

The Capitols will return home following the holiday break to play host to the Dubuque Fighting Saints one final time in the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 7:05 p.m. Family Four Packs are back for this one, as a family can receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of chips for just $48.

Family Four Packs are only available when purchased in advance and will not be available on game day. To purchase yours, call (608) 257-CAPS (2277) or visit www.MadCapsHockey.com.

Check out the Madison Capitols Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from December 18, 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.

OurSports Central