Both the Capitols and the Force now hold a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-5 Conference Finals
Both the Madison Capitols and Fargo Force took another step closer to punching their tickets to the United States Hockey League’s Clark Cup Final on Friday night.
The Capitols continued their playoff defensive prowess with a 4-1 home win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. After splitting the first two games in Muskegon, the Capitols returned home and stymied the Lumberjacks’ attack, holding them to 15 shots in a low-scoring affair.
Caleb Heil once again looked in control, making 14 saves to improve his playoff record to 7-2-0-0 with a 1.40 goals-against average and 0.958 save percentage. Heil, a Tampa Bay Lightning seventh-round draft pick from 2025, leads all USHL goals in playoff wins, GAA and SV%.
With the game tied 1-1, Capitols forward Caleb Pittsley broke the ice with his second goal of the playoffs, beating Lumberjacks goaltender Carl Axelsson on a breakaway with 2:18 remaining. The goal was Pittsley’s second of the playoffs and gave the Capitols a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Tyden Bergeson and Sam Kappell picked up empty-net goals to put the game out of reach and push the Lumberjacks to the brink of elimination with Game 4 on Saturday at Bob Suter’s LEGACY20 Arena Middleton. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. CST.
The Force required three extra periods on Friday night, defeating the Sioux Falls Stampede 4-3. After the two teams traded the game's opening four goals, Stampede forward Logan Renkowski scored short-handed to give the Stampede a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
With 42 seconds remaining, Mason West found Gavin Uhlenkamp in the slot, and the 20-year-old made no mistake, beating Stampede goaltender Linards Feldbergs glove side to tie the game at three. The goal was Uhlenkamp’s sixth of the playoffs, tying him for the playoff lead.
After two shutout overtime frames, the Force sent their home faithful into a frenzy when Nate Delladonna banged home an Arseni Marchenko pass short-handed to give the Force the victory. Force goaltender Ajay White, was incredible again, stopping 65 of 68 shots during the marathon contest.
The Force will have a chance to finish off the series in Game 4 on Saturday at Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m CST.