Following a 7-2 win for Madison on Friday night, the Capitols hit the ice looking to exit Pittsburgh with a share of first place in the conference. The seven-goal performance for the Capitols topped any goal total from the 2021-22 season. In fact, you have to go back to April 8, 2022 when the Capitols put up eight goals on the NTDP. As great as Friday's game was, the Capitols had to put it in the rear view mirror as it was a great start to the season, but one game will not define a season.

Madison came out slow against Waterloo with the Black Hawks controlling the first half of the period. Luckily for the Capitols, Patriks Berzins and the defensive core kept dangerous opportunities at bay. A power play opportunity that came off of a former Capitol, current Black Hawk, Tommy Cronin, really sparked Madison in the period. The Capitols would go onto lead in shots in period one 11-8. The first period was the first scoreless period of the season as the Caps were able to strike in each of the three periods on Friday.

The second period brought a mostly scoreless period as well with a late goal being the lone tally in the game's middle frame. With the only two power play opportunities in the period, Waterloo had the edge in shots on goal in the period at 14-8, but it was Madison with the second period goal. Madison forced a turnover with Delaney and Nagel in on the interception. Nagel found himself in on a 2-on-1 and decided to throw it on net. He snuck it by the Waterloo net minder for the games first tally with under two minutes to go in the period.

In the third, Madison had to answer the bell as Waterloo put pressure on hard in the period. Max Nagel found the period's opening tally to extend the lead to 2-0 off of a great feed from Jake Rozzi. Waterloo answered quickly with a goal of their own to bring the game back to a one-goal game. Waterloo kept the pedal to the medal in the period, but Patriks Berzins was there to answer the call on all but that one goal to bring Madison to the team's first 2-0-0-0 start since returning to the league in 2014.

Nagel's two-goal performance earned him the first star of the game. This is Madison's third two-goal performance by a player of the season after Austin Burnevik and Andrew Kuzma did the same in Friday night's win.

In the first two games of the season, thirteen different Capitols have recorded points for Madison with six different goal scorers. Leading Madison in points through two games is Max Nagel with a pair of goals and a pair of assists.

Head Coach and GM Andy Brandt and staff has to be proud of what his team put on the ice through two games. Madison is tied for first place in the conference with in-state rival, Green Bay, and has been stellar in special team opportunities. The Capitols are 6/6 on the penalty kill and are 1/5 on the power play through two games.

The Capitols return home on Friday night to face off against the Chicago Steel. The game is the home opener for Madison, and it's also a Dollar Beer Night presented by Coors Light and PBR.  Tickets are on sale now for the home opener and all Capitols games at tickets.madcapshockey.com.

MC84 memberships, group tickets and experiences, suites, and other premium areas are now on sale. Gain access to these areas by calling the front office at 608-257-2277. 

Stay connected with the Madison Capitols on social media and the team's official website for the latest updates, news, and behind-the-scenes content as the team gears up for an exhilarating season ahead.

For more information, call 608-257-CAPS or visit madcapshockey.com.