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USHL Madison Capitols

Payusov's Early Goal Doesn't Hold up for Caps

April 2, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols (24-26-5-3) got off and racing early on Saturday, but could not hold off the Muskegon Lumberjacks (27-23-3-4) in a 4-1 loss at the Alliant Energy Center.

After a subpar first period on Friday that resulted in a 3-0 deficit and a 15-5 shot discrepancy, the Capitols emerged ready to go in the first frame on Saturday.

Just 4:14 in, Madison struck first on a simple play design, as Billy Jerry dished the puck to Daniel Willett at the left point. The diminutive defenseman quickly slapped a one-timer at the net, where Alex Payusov deftly tipped it past Muskegon goalie Devin Cooley to put the Capitols ahead 1-0.

The two teams continued their spirited and bad-blooded physical battle which spilled over from Friday, and offensive chances soon followed. Ryan Edquist, who came on in relief on Friday before getting removed from the game after just ten shots, was sensational in the first, making 10 sparkling saves, including point blank denials on both Collin Adams and Dante Palecco.

The Lumberjacks received a controversial power play to begin the second, as USHL scoring leader Rem Pitlick was locked up with Guillaume Leclerc to end period number one. Each player fired some haymakers with gloves and sticks, but only Leclerc was forced to sit for two minutes.

After being decimated for three power play goals on Friday, the Capitols penalty kill dug deep and went a perfect 3-for-3 in the middle period. As the Capitols took out their frustration with successful kills, they also dealt with it with some fisticuffs, as Cooper Watson and Leclerc each got into fighting situations in the period against Bobby Kaiser and Derek Daschke respectively.

However, Muskegon found the energy boost off the physical confrontations, as Daschke beat Edquist on a ricochet shot at 7:05 to tie the game at 1-1.

Then, after having a quiet first half of the game, Pitlick announced he was awake by potting his 46th of the season on an odd-man rush at 16:26 to give his team its first lead of the night, 2-1.

Muskegon continued to receive contributions from secondary lines, as Jacob Coleman provided an insurance marker at 7:18 of the third period off a steal to push Muskegon's lead to 3-1.

Despite registering 31 shots on goal, the Capitols could not find a way to beat Cooley a second time, as the Muskegon goalie finished with 30 saves in the victory. Tyler Irvine sealed the win with an empty netter at 18:42.

The Capitols close out their home campaign next Friday, April 8 at the Coliseum against the Bloomington Thunder at 7:05 p.m. on Fan Appreciation Night at the Alliant Energy Center.

For more ticket information regarding the April Capitols games at the Alliant Energy Center, please call (608) 257-CAPS or visit www.MadCapsHockey.com.

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