The Capitols started the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday afternoon just outside of Pittsburgh facing off against the Lincoln Stars. Madison had won each of the previous two season opening games and looked to do the same again this season.

Although the Capitols dominated shots on goal in the first period, it took until the second period for the team to find the back of the net. Wisconsin commit Gavin Uhlenkamp scored the team's first goal of the season capitalizing off a Lincoln turnover that resulted in a breakaway.

The Stars tied things at one just under two minutes later thanks to a goal from Kade Kohanski on a breakaway of his own.

Later in the period, the breakaways resulting in goals continued with Gustavs Griva's first USHL goal. Griva was set up by alternate captain John Stout, also a Wisconsin commit.

Just under halfway into the third, the Capitols found themselves on their fourth power play of the game. Gustavs Griva set up Max Rider for Rider's first goal of the season, which would eventually become the game winning marker.

Lincoln pulled within one with the extra attacker on with two minutes left in the game with a goal scored by Lefty Markonidis. They would pull the goalie again to try and find the tying goal, but the Stars were unsuccessful in getting the second extra attacker goal.

Madison picked up their first win of the 2025-26 season by a score of 3-2. The Capitols move to 4-1-0-0 all time under Andy Brandt at the Fall Classic.

Cash Cruitt picked up his first USHL win in his first USHL start stopping 16 of 18 shots sent his way. He becomes the first Capitols netminder to win his first career USHL start since Daniel Lebedeff helped Madison take down Green Bay 6-3 on Dec. 31, 2015.
 
Next Game
Madison will conclude their time at the 2025 Fall Classic tomorrow morning against Fargo. Puck drop is scheduled for 11:30 am ET/10:30 am CT. Tomorrow's broadcast can be found on FloHockey.

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