The Horse Awakens
Published on February 18, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release
MADISON, WI - The Madison Capitols fell to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 4-2, on Star Wars Night at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Madison (19-19-1-2) is ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference with 41 points. Cedar Rapids (16-19-6-1) is ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference with 39 points.
Left wing Roman Ahcan gave the RoughRiders a two-goal lead with his seventh tally of the season at 18:39 of the middle frame. Center Graham Slaggert skated down the right wing of the Capitols zone and sent a pass to Ahcan who was skating to the slot. Ahcan one-timed the puck into the net to bring the score to 3-1.
Defenseman Jacob Nordqvist put the Capitols on the board at 5:18 of the first period with his third goal of the season. Left wing Mick Messner carried the puck from the right corner of the RoughRiders zone over to the slot. Fighting off defenders, Messner passed the puck back to Nordqvist for a one-timer from the slot that beat goaltender Blake Pietila for the early 1-0 lead.
Cedar Rapids evened the game at 1-1 with left wing Liam Walsh's sixth goal of the season. Walsh passed the puck from the end-boards out to right wing Kevin Lombardi who was streaking down the center of the zone. Lombardi swiped at the bouncing puck and netminder Dryden McKay made a pad save. Walsh was on the left doorstep to tap in the rebound at 9:29 of the opening frame.
Skating on the power play, center Jason Polin netted his eighth goal of the season at 11:07 of the first stanza. Left wing TJ Walsh skated along the right wing half-wall before finding Polin in the right face-off circle for the one-timer to give the RoughRiders a 2-1 advantage.
Madison fought back with left wing Alec Broetzman's 19th goal of the season at 17:43 of the third period. Center Anthony Callin tossed a backhanded shot from the right hashmark that deflected off of Broetzman and into the net to bring the Capitols into one goal, 3-2.
Right wing Jordan Timmons picked up an empty net goal at 18:59 of the third period to finish off the scoring, 4-2.
McKay (17-14-1-2) took his 14th loss of the season with 34 saves on 37 shots. Pietila (9-7-2-1) earned his ninth win of the season as he stopped 40-of-42 shots.
Madison went 0-for-3 on the power play. Cedar Rapids was 1-for-4 with the man advantage.
Notables: The Capitols ended their two-game winning streak...Defenseman Jacob Nordqvist scored his first goal with the Capitols since joining the team on January 15...Left wing Alec Broetzman is on a two-game goal streak and a three-game point streak (2-13).
Madison returns to the Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena for After Work Happy Hour Special when they host the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21. Fans can enjoy 2-for-1 beers with a boat of bacon for $5! For ticket information, call the Capitols at (608) 257-CAPS or visit us online at www.MADCAPSHOCKEY.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2018
- Carlson Wins 600th Game - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- The Horse Awakens - Madison Capitols
- Gamblers Take Care of Flying Aces on the Road - Green Bay Gamblers
- Preston Provides the Dagger as Saints Dim Stars - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stars Pick up Point in 4-3 Overtime Loss - Lincoln Stars
- Del Gaizo Hits 50, De Mey Scores Twice, But Jacks Fall to Bucs - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Capitols Double up on Steel Saturday - Chicago Steel
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