USHL Madison Capitols

Thunder Power Play Dooms Capitols

Published on March 26, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Bloomington, IL - The Madison Capitols (24-24-5-3) had no answers for a white-hot Bloomington Thunder (35-18-3-1) power play in a 5-1 loss on Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Before the puck even dropped, it was a strange evening, as a pane of glass shattered in the pre-game warm-ups. After one glass cleanup, a second was necessary early in the first, as a separate pane came loose in the opening minutes.

Shortly after the delay, the Thunder stormed to the early advantage, as Logan Lambdin deked Ryan Edquist down to the ice before sneaking it home on a wraparound at 6:26 of the first.

It was the only blemish in an otherwise stellar first period for Edquist, who entered having won each of his last three starts. Included in his 12 first period saves was a sprawling paddle save on Wyatt Kalynuk with a seemingly wide-open net staring the Thunder defenseman in the face.

As the two teams came back out for the second period, the Capitols hit the ground shooting in the middle frame, and Dmitri Buinitsky once again found his way to the goal department at 4:53 to tie the game, 1-1. After Guillaume Leclerc and Eugene Fadyeyev each won puck battles along the wall, Fadyeyev worked the puck into the slot, where Buitnitsky quickly snapped it through the arm of Thunder goalie Hayden Lavigne to tie the score.

Bloomington responded strongly after relinquishing its lead, nearly re-taking the edge on a dangerous scrum in front. After Jeremy Davies had his shot squeak past Edquist, the puck sat on edge in the blue paint, where Lambdin failed to reach it with a flailing attempt, and the Caps lived to tell about the tie score.

However, Lambdin received redemption in the form of Bloomington's first power play in the period's final three minutes, and he made no mistakes, taking a feed from Brogan Rafferty off the rush and beating Edquist over the stick side at 18:04 to send the Thunder to the third ahead 2-1.

From there, Bloomington parlayed the momentum into a three-goal, ten-minute explosion in the final period. First, captain Jake Slaker jumped back to the score sheet for his 11th goal in 12 games, beating Edquist over the short-side shoulder at 1:10 to give the Thunder an insurance marker and 3-1 lead.

Then Patrick Curry continued his dominance of the Capitols, scoring his fourth and fifth goals against Madison this season, both on the power play, to round out the scoring. He fired home a pair of one-timers at 8:34 and 10:24 respectively, the first of which spelled the end of Edquist's evening.

The Capitols could only muster eight third period shots on net, and Lavigne finished with 30 saves and remained unbeaten lifetime against the Capitols.

The Caps return home next weekend to the Alliant Energy Center to begin the final four-game stretch of the season. Next Friday, April 1, is the final WJJO Dollar Beer Night of the 2015-16 season. Doors open at 6 p.m. with beers being served at the $1 price through the end of the first intermission.

Family 4-Packs also make their last appearance next weekend on Saturday, April 2. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of chips all for just $48. Packages are only available via pre-sale and will not be sold on game night at the Alliant Energy Center box office.

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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United States Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2016


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