Madison Faces Muskegon in Eastern Conference Finals
The No. 6 Madison Capitols will take on the No. 5 Muskegon Lumberjacks in the Eastern Conference Finals beginning this weekend. Madison advanced after defeating the Anderson Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms in a best-of-five series, 3-1, after sweeping the Green Bay Gamblers in the first round for the second consecutive year. This marks the Capitols' first trip to the conference finals under head coach Andy Brandt.

The Lumberjacks swept Cedar Rapids in the first round before defeating Dubuque in five games in the second round.

The regular-season series between the teams was split, with each side winning two games. Muskegon claimed the most recent match up, 3-0. The first two games of the best-of-five series will be played in Muskegon, with Game 3 shifting to Madison. If necessary, Game 4 will also be held in Madison before the series returns to Muskegon for Game 5.

Heil Lifts Madison Past Youngstown
Capitols goaltender Caleb Heil has played a major role in Madison's run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The North Dakota commit allowed just four goals over four games against the Youngstown Phantoms, a team that averaged nearly four goals per game during the regular season. Heil also recorded his second career playoff shutout in the series, stopping 40 shots.

Through the playoffs, Heil has logged the second-most minutes among goaltenders (377) and leads the league with a 1.11 goals-against average and .966 save percentage. He has also faced a league-high 208 shots.

Geerdes, Bergeson Produce Through the Clark Cup Playoffs
Capitols defenseman Nolen Geerdes and forward Tyden Bergeson have played pivotal roles in Madison's playoff run. The pair are tied for fifth in playoff scoring with six points each. Geerdes has recorded three goals and three assists, while Bergeson has two goals and four assists.

Clark Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, Game 3 tickets are available at tickets.madcapshockey.com