FINDING THEIR FOOTING
After beginning the season 0-3-0-0, the Capitols have earned points in four consecutive games, going 3-0-1-0 during that stretch. Madison enters Friday with a 3-3-1-0 record following a 6-2 victory over Chicago last Saturday. The Capitols have scored six goals in each of their last two victories, outscoring Cedar Rapids and Chicago by a combined 12-4 margin. Madison has shown improvement on both ends of the ice, with the offense finding its scoring touch and the goaltending providing more consistency. The Capitols will look to extend their point streak to five games against Waterloo.
WALLER'S BIG NIGHT
Braeden Waller recorded the first two goals of his USHL career Saturday against Chicago, adding an assist for his first career three-point performance. The forward was named the game's first star after helping Madison build a 6-0 lead early in the third period. Waller entered the contest having appeared in just four previous USHL games and found success alongside
Eero Butella and
Rio Treharne. Known for his willingness to battle in difficult areas and contribute in a variety of roles, Waller made the most of his opportunity in the lineup. His performance helped showcase the Capitols' offensive depth.
PITTSLEY PICKING UP THE PACE
Caleb Pittsley broke through offensively Saturday against Chicago, recording two goals and an assist in Madison's 6-2 victory. His first goal came on an unusual play when his initial shot deflected off the goaltender's shoulder before Pittsley batted the puck out of midair and into the net. He added his second goal on a breakaway in the third period. After recording just one point through his first four games, Pittsley has collected five points over his last three contests and is tied for the team lead with six points. The forward has benefited from the return of captain
Max Rider, who has assisted on three of Pittsley's four points over the last two games.
THE CAPTAIN'S INFLUENCE
Since returning from injury on October 9, Capitols captain
Max Rider has recorded four assists in two games. Rider missed nearly four complete contests after suffering an injury in the season opener against Sioux Falls. The returning forward assisted on both of
Caleb Pittsley's goals against Chicago after recording two assists in his return against Cedar Rapids. Rider, who recorded 33 points last season, has helped provide an offensive spark as Madison has scored six goals in each of his two games back in the lineup.
A BALANCED ATTACK
The Capitols have received offensive contributions from throughout their lineup, with seven players recording between four and six points this season.
Harper Frey and
Caleb Pittsley lead Madison with six points apiece, while
Landon MacSwain,
Logan Lutner, and
Nolen Geerdes each have five.
Max Rider and
Gustavs Griva round out the group with four points each. Frey leads the Capitols with four goals, while MacSwain and Lutner have scored three apiece. The balanced production has allowed Madison to generate offense from multiple lines and its defensemen rather than relying on just one scoring combination.
MAC ATTACK CONTINUES
Landon MacSwain enters Friday riding a five-game point streak, recording three goals and two assists during that stretch. The forward scored his first two USHL goals during Madison's weekend series in Muskegon before adding his third against Cedar Rapids on October 9. MacSwain continued his production Saturday against Chicago, assisting on
Nolen Geerdes' second-period power-play goal. His three goals are tied for second on the team behind
Harper Frey. MacSwain has quickly established himself as an offensive threat while also bringing a physical presence to the Capitols' forward group.
GEERDES GETS GOING
Nolen Geerdes recorded his first goal of the season Saturday against Chicago, scoring on the power play with 1:01 remaining in the second period. The returning defenseman also assisted on
Caleb Pittsley's first goal of the night, finishing with two points in the victory. Geerdes enters Friday with five points through seven games after recording 29 points during the 2025-26 regular season. He remains an important offensive contributor from Madison's blue line. Alongside
Logan Lutner, Geerdes has helped form one of the Capitols' most productive defensive pairings early in the season.
FOURTH LINE PRODUCTION
Madison's fourth line of
Braeden Waller,
Eero Butella, and
Rio Treharne made its presence felt Saturday against Chicago, combining for six points in the 6-2 victory. Waller led the trio with two goals and an assist, while Butella recorded a goal and an assist. Treharne added an assist on Waller's second-period goal. The line accounted for three of Madison's six goals, demonstrating the offensive depth the Capitols have developed early in the season. The trio's performance also provided Madison with additional scoring options beyond its established offensive contributors.
LENNON LEADS THE WAY
Elliot Lennon continued his strong play between the pipes Saturday against Chicago, stopping 28 of 30 shots in Madison's 6-2 victory. Lennon enters Friday with a 3-1-0-0 record and has earned all three of the Capitols' victories this season. The goaltender has won each of his last three starts, defeating Muskegon, Cedar Rapids, and Chicago. Madison has allowed just four goals over Lennon's last two starts, helping the Capitols build a four-game point streak. His recent performances have helped stabilize a position that struggled with consistency during the opening weeks of the season.
THE QUALITY OF CHANCES
The Capitols generated 14 Grade A or B scoring opportunities Saturday against Chicago, compared to just six for the Steel. Madison finished with an expected-goals advantage of 2.84-2.64 while scoring six times on 28 shots. The Capitols scored four goals through the opening two periods before adding two more early in the third. Madison has now scored 12 goals over its last two victories, showing improvement in its ability to finish scoring opportunities. The Capitols' recent offensive success has come from a combination of skilled plays and a willingness to battle for rebounds and second-chance opportunities.
SPECIAL TEAM SPECIALISTS
Waterloo enters Friday with a 7-0-1-0 record and a seven-game winning streak, thanks in part to its success on special teams. The Black Hawks have converted on six of 18 power-play opportunities during October while killing 13 of 15 opposing power plays. Waterloo has scored at least one power-play goal in every game this season, including two against Madison on October 10. The Capitols will look to improve their special-teams performance after going 1-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill against Chicago. Limiting Waterloo's opportunities with the man advantage will be an important factor in Madison's effort to end the Black Hawks' winning streak.
KEEPING THE LEAD
Waterloo has spent just 26 minutes and 38 seconds trailing through its first eight games this season, with all of that time coming during two matchups against Fargo. The Black Hawks enter Friday riding a seven-game winning streak, tied with Fargo for the longest active streak in the USHL. Waterloo has also outscored opponents 7-1 over its last two games against Des Moines. The Black Hawks have yet to suffer a regulation loss this season, entering the weekend with a 7-0-1-0 record. Madison will look to become the first team outside of Fargo to hold a lead against Waterloo this season.
COMING UP NEXT FOR MADISON
The Capitols return to action Friday, October 30, hosting the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at Bob Suter's LEGACY20 Arena in Middleton for the team's annual Wiener Dog Races. Madison defeated Cedar Rapids 6-2 in the first meeting between the teams on October 9, handing the RoughRiders their first loss after a perfect 7-0-0-0 start. The Capitols scored five unanswered goals in that victory, with
Harper Frey recording two goals and an assist. Friday's matchup will be Cedar Rapids' first visit to Madison this season. The Capitols will look to build on their success from the first meeting while giving fans another memorable night with one of the team's most popular annual promotions.
