Junior Capitals Score Seven to Take Out Pittsburgh

Branko Radivojevic scored a pair of goals and assisted on two more and Igor Shadulov earned five helpers to lead the Washington Junior Capitals to a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Junior Penguins on Day 133. The win moves Washington to 28-31-8 and four points out of the final playoff spot.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period despite getting outshot 12-9. Paille got the first from Crampton and Hollweg at 13:47. Brown made it 2-0 from Paille and Eade at 16:16, and McRae completed the scoring with an unassisted goal at 18:58.

Washington rallied in the second period with three goals of its own to tie the game. Sean Kotary started the rally from Radivojevic and Shadulov at 2:31, before Zbynek Novak netted his 15th of the year from Kotary and Shadulov at 5:45. Radivojevic's first of the game from Jakub Cutt and Shadulov at 17:34 made it 3-3.

The Capitals continued to pour it on in the final period with four straight goals. Greg Mauldin gave Washington its first lead when he scored from Fabien Laniel and Henrik Tallinder at 5:36. Novak extended the lead to 5-3 just three minutes later on a goal from Radivojevic and Shadulov. Radivojevic's second goal caem from Shadulov and Andrew Joudrey at 9:43 to make it 6-3, and Mauldin completed the Caps' run of seven goals when he netted from Matthew Hansen and Laniel at 12:43. Fritsche added a late goal for Pittsburgh to complete the scoring. Armstrong and Fata assited on the tally at 17:27.

Robert Muller stopped 23 shots to earn the win and improve to 3-0-1. Brian Finley made 24 saves in the loss and fell to 22-32-5. Nathan Marsters stopped four shots in relief.

The Junior Capitals are back on the ice on Day 134 against the New York Junior Islanders.