Junior Capitals Sent Down by Junior Devils

The Washington Junior Capitals slumped to a 7-2 defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Junior Devils on Day 5 of the preseason. The loss drops Washington to 2-1 on the exhibition campaign.

New Jersey jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period behind goals from Mirnov and Kubista. Mironov's tally came at 2:18 from Goldade and Clouthier. Kubista scored 12:06 later from Mirnov and Goldade. Washington responded just 11 seconds later when Patrick O'Sullivan scored from Lance Moynch and Siarhei Kolasau. Just over a minute after O'Sullivan's goal Ryan MacMurchy was sent off the ice for a highsticking double-minor. The Devils proceeded to take two penalties of their own, but it didn't stop them from extending their lead as Keith netted with just 50 seconds remaining in the period. Pohanka and Mirnov assisted on the goal.

The second period started with a flurry of penalties and one fight. Mirnov and Greg Mauldin both went off at 1:16, Zbynek Novak was sent to the box at 2:04, and Hale and Mauldin dropped the gloves at 7:22. After all the penalties the Devils continued to score at will. Clouthier made it 4-1 from Goldade and Dececco at 9:30, before Vondrka netted from Mirnov and Kubista just 25 seconds later. The Capitals finally got on the board again at 13:45 when Moynch netted from Igor Shadulov and Novak. There were two more penalties later in the period, but neither team capitalized on the power plays.

Washington took two early penalties in the third period, and New Jersey made them pay. Dececco scored his first of the preseason on the power play from Cook and Clouthier just four seconds after Gennady Stolyarov went to the box for a highsticking double-minor. New Jersey completed the scoring just over four minutes later on Pohanka's goal from Mosovsky and Mirnov. While no more goals were scored, there was another fight to entertain the fans. Demarchi and Shadulov squared off at 9:09 in an entertaining draw.

Daniel Taylor made just 14 saves in a losing effort for Washington. Brad Topping stopped 15 of 17 in relief. Jeff Drouin-Deslaurier had 21 saves for the win.

The Junior Capitals are back in action on Day 6 against the Junior Penguins.