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USHL Madison Capitols

Stevens & McCormick Stymie Gamblers in Caps Win

December 31, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Green Bay, WI - The Madison Capitols (11-14-1-2) received a Gordie Howe hat trick performance from their newest forward and a strong goaltending showing from their 16-year-old draftee as they knocked off the Green Bay Gamblers (17-10-1-1) by a final of 6-3 at the Resch Center on Thursday night.

On a night that saw the USHL debut for 16-year-old goaltender Daniel Lebedeff (Helsinki, Finland), the Capitols made their young goalie work hard in the early going, as Green Bay had three first-period power play opportunities, but Lebedeff had the answers to keep the Gambler attack quiet.

At the other end, the Capitols went to the quick strike attack against Dryden McKay, who, in his own net, was making his USHL debut for the Gamblers. McKay's night did not go as planned, however, as the Capitols gave him an unceremonious welcome.

First, Tommy Muck took a neat backhand feed from Sam McCormick at the point and launched a wrist shot through to the net. Ryan Lohin tipped it on goal, and while McKay made the first stop, Lohin stuck with the rebound and shoveled his eighth goal past the fallen keeper to give Madison the 1-0 lead at 10:09.

Just 23 seconds later, the Capitols would chase McKay from the game, as Luke McElhenie muscled his way through a tug-and-grab and chipped a forehander over McKay's glove to give the Capitols a two-goal cushion at 10:32.

Once Green Bay threw Kevin Reich into the net, though, the Gamblers' offense rebounded in their own way, as captain Sam Saliba finished a perfect two-on-one passing play with Jack Poehling to beat Lebedeff at 11:27, creating three first period goals in just 1:18 between the two clubs.

The Capitols took the 2-1 lead into the second period, where the Gamblers showed their first period response was no fluke. After the teams had a tentative beginning to the second period, Andrew Peeke ended the shyness as he wristed a point shot through Lebedeff in front to tie the game, 2-2, at 6:21 of the period.

Green Bay would make it three unanswered goals to jump to their first lead of the night in the moments that followed the Peeke tally. Matt Berkovitz's point shot hit traffic in front and fell into the feet of Jack Poehling, who found a seam through the legs of Lebedeff to beat the goalie and give Green Bay the 3-2 advantage at 11:42 of the frame.

Not to be outdone, the Capitols showed some moxie of their own, as newest Capitol Brody Stevens, who already made his presence felt with a first-period scrap against Connor Mackey, fired a quick shot off a faceoff win. His shot was ultimately blocked, but the winger darted to the miss and slid a perfect net-front pass to Guillaume Leclerc, who tapped home his ninth of the season at 14:24 to send the game into the final period deadlocked, 3-3.

Despite only mustering 20 total shots in the game and just eight in the third period, the Capitols made the most of their allotment of shot attempts and rode a wave of momentum to the win. First, McCormick haunted his hometown team with the eventual game winner, throwing a low wrist shot under a surprised Kevin Reich at 7:46 to put the Capitols on top, 4-3.

Moments later, the Capitols received a third power play chance on the night, and this time, the advantage worked in their favor as Stevens completed his Gordie Howe trick by poking a rebound home off a blocked Daniel Willett shot attempt.

From there, Lebedeff and the Capitols had all the remaining responses, and the Finnish netminder denied all 12 shots that came his way in a third period featuring plenty of chaos around his goal crease. Lebedeff, at 16 years of age, becomes the youngest goalie to win a game in Capitols history, and the first Capitol goalie ever to win in his first career start.

McCormick sealed the resounding win with one final empty net dagger in the game's final minute to propel his season goal total to 13.

Feeling great about their end to 2015, the Capitols will leave Green Bay to kick off 2016 with a visit to the Bloomington Thunder on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The Capitols return home to start a seven-game homestand on Jan. 8 against the Sioux City Musketeers for New Year's Resolution/Fitness night! Local gyms and health clubs will be on hand to help fans spring into the New Year on the right foot! Tickets for all Capitols home games are available by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277) or by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2015


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