Capitols Face Phantoms in Eastern Conference Semifinals
The No. 6 Madison Capitols will face the No. 1 Youngstown Phantoms in the Eastern Conference Semifinals beginning this weekend. Madison advanced after sweeping the Green Bay Gamblers in the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year, while Youngstown enters the postseason following a first-round bye.

The Phantoms captured the Anderson Cup with a league-best 43-14-3-2 record. Madison controlled the regular season series 3-2 over the Phantoms, including two wins at the Covelli Center in Youngstown.

It will be a best of five series. The first two games will be played in Youngstown, with Game 3 at Bob Suter's LEGACY20 Arena in Madison. If necessary, Game 4 will also be held in Madison before the series returns to Youngstown for Game 5.

Madison Calls Up Bryce Wiitala for Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Madison Capitols have called up affiliate player Bryce Wiitala for the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Wiitala, 18, has appeared in two games with Madison this season and 47 with the NAHL's Minnesota Mallards, where he recorded 44 points, including 21 goals. 

Dexheimer and Finley Sign NHL ELC's
Former Madison Capitols defenseman Ben Dexheimer and forward Quinn Finley signed NHL entry-level contracts this week. Dexheimer, 23, signed with the Minnesota Wild. Finley, 21, inked his deal with the New York Islanders.

Dexheimer signed his contract following four years at the University of Wisconsin. In his collegiate career, the defenseman appeared in 149 games, recording 89 points.

The Edina, Minn., native skated in 60 games with the Capitols in 2021-22, where he totaled 39 assists, the most in a single season during the franchise's Tier I era. He appeared in 14 postseason games, including a trip to the Clark Cup Finals.

Quinn Finley was selected by the New York Islanders in the 2022 NHL Draft and signed his contract following his junior season with the University of Wisconsin. This season, Finley led the Badgers with 17 goals and finished tied for second on the team with 33 points.

The Suamico, Wis., native skated in 62 games with the Capitols from 2021-23, recording 56 points, including 22 goals. He is tied for third-most goals in a single postseason in Capitols history with five.

Heil and Geerdes Find Success in First Round of Clark Cup Playoffs
Madison Capitols goaltender Caleb Heil and defenseman Nolen Geerdes both played pivotal roles in Madison's first-round sweep over Green Bay last weekend. 

Heil started both games and posted a first-round-best 0.99 goals-against average and .968 save percentage among all USHL goaltenders. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect faced 63 shots over the two games and denied 61 of them. 

Geerdes recorded three points, the second most by a defenseman in round one, including two goals, as many as Green Bay scored all series. Geerdes' first goal came on the power play and stood as the game-winner in Game 1. He also added an assist in the win.