Following an upbeat end to last weekend, Madison hosted the Chicago Steel on Friday night for the start of a two-game series. Madison was 1-1-1 against Chicago this season heading into the weekend and looking to improve that number.
Similar to game one of the Youngstown series, the visitor got off of the bus firing striking two times within the first five minutes of the game to take an early 2-0 lead. Madison responded well, though, with chances being had in the offensive zone quickly after the pair of Steel goals.
Eventually, those chances turned into goals for the Capitols. Jake Ratzlaff who was playing in his second game for Madison, activated himself up into the play offensively. He lost possession but quickly got it back and sent it toward the net. A deflection went his way, and Ratzlaff got the Capitols back within one. Madison saw the script to follow with the Ratzlaff goal, so another chance was sent toward the net. Stark was unable to hold onto it. Rebound sat out front for Jack Musa to send home and even things at two for his 11th of the season. The team took a 2-2 tie into intermission, but with it, the Caps also took two unanswered goals.
Four goals total between the two teams in the first period were not topped in the second, but a total of three found the back of the net in period number two. The first finding twine was off the stick of a Capitols player as Madison forced a turnover. Brendan Lamb then found his linemate Bennett Barnes back door who roofed his first goal since joining the Caps. Sadly for Madison, the lead did not hold as the Caps conceded two to Chicago who left the forty minute mark with a 4-3 lead.
Chicago ended up extending their lead in the third period. A couple of late pushes from Madison proved to not be enough, as the team wound up fall 6-3.
The two teams go at it again tomorrow night as the Caps host the Steel in their last game before the holiday break. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena. Tickets are still available at tickets.madcapshockey.com.
