A matchup of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference takes place in Middleton, Wisconsin Thursday, as the first-place Dubuque Fighting Saints face the Madison Capitols at Bob Suter's LEGACY20 Arena.
While both teams have already clinched spots in the Clark Cup Playoffs, there is still something more than pride to play for. The Fighting Saints (37-14-1-2, 77 pts) are still looking to secure a first-round bye in the Eastern Conference playoffs with eight games left in the regular season.
Dubuque holds a seven-point lead on the Capitols (33-15-3-1, 70 pts), who are tied with the Muskegon Lumberjacks for second place. Madison has two games-in-hand over the Saints.
The teams still have two more meetings after Thursday's contest. They have met just once previously this season, with Madison prevailing 4-3 Feb. 8 in Middleton.
Getting off to a quick start is key for the Saints’ success lately. The team has scored first in 12 consecutive games, posting a 26-4-1-2 record when lighting the lamp first. Of those 12 opening goals, seven have come in the first five minutes of the first period and two have occurred in the first 30 seconds of the game.
Jonathan Morello enters the week with a seven-game point streak and has 12 of his 27 points over his last nine games played. In seven games as a line since Feb. 28, the line of Morello, Gavin Cornforth and Colin Frank has combined for 10 goals and 26 points.
Close games have been the Saints’ friend this season. Dubuque has a 22-7-1-2 record in games decided by a single goal, including three one-goal wins in the last five contests.
The Capitols lead the East in scoring and are top-three in the league on both the power-play and penalty-kill units. They are led by Ryker Lee with 60 points. Lee is one of four USHL players with 60 points this season.
Aiden Long became the ninth Capitols player since the team returned in 2014 to hit the 50 point mark in a season. Long is currently eighth in the team's Tier I history with 52 points and three points back of third place, Luke Mittelstadt, 55.
Madison has had a busy stretch recently, playing its fifth three-game week in the last six weeks and is returning home on Thursday after playing seven-straight road games. Following their meeting with Dubuque, the Capitols will host Cedar Rapids on Friday before traveling to Dubuque for another showdown with the Saints on Saturday.
Puck drop for Thursday's game is set for 7:05 Pm CT.