Steel lose 4-2 to Capitols

Despite a season-high 42 shots on goal, including a 26-2 shot margin in the third period, the Chicago Steel (23-7-1-3, 50 pts.) suffered just their third home regulation loss of the season, falling 4-2 to the Madison Capitols (14-8-1-1, 30 pts.) Friday at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Downers Grove native Dryden McKay made 40 saves for the visitors. Brannon McManus registered both goals for the Steel.

Easton Brodzinski gave Madison an early lead, earning his 14th goal of the season by sending a shot over Chicago netminder Ales Stezka's glove at 1:53.

Before the first period ended, the Steel found an equalizer. Mitch Lewandowski fed a pass to McManus, who fired a one-time rocket at 16:33. The game remained tied, 1-1, at the first intermission, with Chicago leading in shots, 10-6.

Madison regained the lead in the second period when Alec Broetzman took advantage of a Steel turnover and buried a shot past Stezka's stick. Then the Capitols went up by two thanks to a big individual effort from Kamil Sadlocha, who broke in on the right-wing side, curled behind the net, and buried a wraparound shot at 11:38.

The Steel got back within a goal when McManus completed a power play one-timer from Johnny Walker at 14:20. But before the period ended, Madison's Anthony Callin beat Stezka on the glove side at 19:19, giving the Capitols a 4-2 lead at the second intermission.

Chicago turned up the offensive pressure in the third period, firing 24 more shots than Madison in the frame, but couldn't get another puck past McKay. The Steel's best chance came with just over six minutes remaining. Jack Badini connected a cross-ice pass to Tyler Gratton at the right circle. Gratton's one-timer was stopped by a highlight-reel glove save by McKay. Chicago pulled Stezka in favor of an extra attacker with 2:35 remaining, but McKay held his ground, securing the two-goal victory

Chicago fell to 1-2-1-0 against the Capitols this season. Steel winger Johnny Walker recorded 2 assists, while veteran defenseman Derek Daschke skated in his 150th USHL regular season game.