The Sioux Falls Stampede rumbled into town on Friday night to take on the Madison Capitols for the first of their two meetings this weekend. The Stampede are atop of the standings in the Western Conference. The Capitols are riding the hottest active point streak in the USHL at eight games. This was the first of Madison's three-game weekend, as they will host the Stampede again on Saturday and then hit the road on Sunday to take on Cedar Rapids. 

The Capitols were eager to get back in front of their home crowd, returning home for the first time since November 15th. Sam Kappell lit the lamp nineteen seconds into the game to give the Caps an early 1-0 lead. The Stampede would respond later in the first when Logan Renkowski netted his fifteenth goal of the season to knot it at one apiece heading into the first intermission.

After a slow start to the second period, Brock Schultz would score to give Sioux Falls the lead. That lead did not last a full minute until Leimen, Germany, native Gustavs Grivas tallied his eighth goal of the season and tied the game again heading into the final frame.  

To start the third, the Stampede and Caps would go back and forth again. Joey Macrina and Micheal Tang exchanged goals to start the third period. With five minutes left in the game, Logan Renowski would add his second goal of the game, which would become the game winner. Sioux Falls added a power play goal later in the third to secure the 5-3 win over Madison in their first meeting.

Cash Cruitt suited up for his fourth start between the pipes this season. The Andover, Minnesota, product saved 28 of the 33 shots sent his way.

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