Junior Capitals Stop Sharks

Sean Kotary scored the winning goal and added two assists to lead the Washington Junior Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the San Jose Junior Sharks on Day 72. The win keeps Washington in the playoff hunt at 15-18-3 for the season.

The Capitals got off to a great start in the first period when Branko Radivojevic scored from Igor Shadulov and Sean Kotary after just 49 seconds. Three missed power plays later, Washington finally made it 2-0 on Lance Moynch's even-strength goal from Patrick O'Sullivan and Sean Bergenheim at 18:55.

San Jose turned things aroud in the second period with a pair of goals to tie the game. Pinc got the first, his fifth of the season, from McRae and Bishai at 5:37. Bishai then evened the scored with his 15th of the year on the power play from Drozdetsky and Wideman at 10:08.

The tides turned back Washington's way in the final period, and Kotary's goal from Zbynek Novak and Shadulov gave the Caps a lead they would not relinquish. A late shorthanded tally from Mikhail Kuleshov provided the final edge. Ivan Baranka and Kotary assisted on the goal. The other action in the last 20 minutes was a fight between Washington's Moynch and San Jose's Caldwell that saw the Capital beat up the Shark.

Daniel Taylor stopped 30 shots to earn the win and improve to 7-6-1. Patrick Ehelechner made 19 saves in the loss for San Jose.

The Junior Capitals return to action on Day 75 against Ottawa.