Junior Capitals Melt Avalanche

The Washington Junior Capitals returned to winning ways on Day 45 in a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Junior Avalanche. Ryan MacMurchy led the way for Washington with a pair of goals, including the game-winner. The Caps record is now 8-12-1 after the win.

Washington jumped out to the early lead in the first period when Branko Radivojevic scored from Patrick O'Sullivan at 3:39. The goal came just 16 seconds after a Caps power play ended. Less than six minutes later it was 2-0 as MacMurchy scored his first of the game from Fabien Laniel and Jakub Cutta at 9:19. Colorado finally got things going late in the period, and a pair of goals 3:49 apart tied it up at 2-2. Martz got the first from Klyazmin at 13:07, and Kesler leveled the game from Hudler at 16:56.

The Capitals regained the lead early in a penalty-filled second period. Cutta was the scorer from Igor Shadulov and Radivojevic at 3:42. Just less than a minute after the goal, a violent incident saw Colorado's Hudler sent off for four minutes for highsticking, and Greg Mauldin in the box for cross-checking. Forty-nine seconds later, the gloves dropped and Lance Moynch fought to a draw with Daley. After the flurry of penalties, the Avalanche raised their game, and Hudler's goal from Martz at 12:00 tied it up at 3-3.

Just as they did in the first and second periods, Washington scored early in the third. MacMurchy got the goal, an unassisted tally, at 3:21 to make it 4-3. The goal proved to be the game-winner as neither team was able to take advantage of a series of power plays. Although the Caps held on for the win, the team did have bad news in the final period. Sean Kotary and Lance Moynch were both injured.

Brad Topping made 27 saves to pickup the win. Nick Pannoni stopped 24 shots in the loss for Colorado.

The Junior Capitals are back in action on Day 47 against Pittsburgh.