Madison Capitols
2011 - 2012 Madison Capitols Midget Major Schedule
2011-2012 Madison Capitols Midget Major Roster
2012 Gold Medal Classic Showcase Schedule
Caps' Skid Continues, Losers of Their Last Four
Chris Walby
2/1/12
The Madison Capitols Midget Majors will pack their bags this Friday for a six hour coach ride to St. Louis and a two game tilt with the nation's 13th ranked St. Louis Amateur Blues. As the bus rolls away from Cap Ice, the Caps leave behind a rocky January record where they went 1-4-0 on home ice. Although some might not be cut out for life on the road (like Harry from "Dumb and Dumber"), the road is just where this team belongs.
In my first year as Head Coach of the Madison Capitols, the travel schedule was one of my earliest concerns as the coach of this team. This past September, after the dust settled on our roster, 12 of our players played high school hockey last season, where travel is the least of the coaches concern. Life on the road can be difficult for 17 and 18 year old young men, but not this group, not these guys. We actually embraced the lifestyle on the the road and the early travel quickly united this team as a family.That might sound cliche, but its so true. As a team we spend a ton of time together. We typically practice three nights a week, with an hour and a half of off-ice before or after each practice. Between September and January 1, we played six league showcases (24 games) in Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Dallas and Boston. That's three coach bus rides, two round trip flights and a car pool together as a team. Its also 14 nights in a hotel, almost two dozen continental breakfasts and several team meals together.
The experience has been incredible for all of us. The boys have had the opportunity to taste K.C. BBQ, St. Louis ribs, Boston Clam Chowder, Dallas chili, Chicago deep dish, but they've also learned how to survive on $5 foot longs and grocery trips to the local Super Walmart. We've caught glimpses of Arrowhead Stadium, Kauffman Stadium (the Royals of MLB), U.S. Cellular Field, Bush Stadium and Fenway. We've toured the hockey facilities at Northeastern University, and the North American Hockey League's Springfield Junior Blues and the Texas Tornado.
For some of these players, being a member of this team led to their first trip out of the midwest, their first time on a plane and a subway and they got to do it together with their teammates, their buddies. Because of hockey, they got to explore historic downtown Boston, realize how big Texas does it and see how mighty the Mississippi is. Those are memories that they will forever cherish.
As a member of this team, you sacrifice more than the average high school hockey player does in a season. Your social life with friends, girlfriends, etc. is a challenge and gone are the days of you being the hero night after night in front of them. However, ask any of the members of the Madison Capitols if they'd change a thing and they wouldn't. They love this, they're addicted to the lifestyle. From September to April, they have an awesome opportunity to play in front of scouts and coaches from the NHL, NCAA, United States Hockey League and the North American League, against the countries top players and in some of the greatest facilities in the U.S. That never gets old. Neither does the camaraderie and banter in the locker room while sticks are prepared and gel is applied.You learn quickly that life as a Capitol is all about sacrifice and its mandatory that you work hard. That sacrifice and hard work not only builds your game, but it builds a bond between the team. When you sacrifice the parts of your life that seem so important to most teenagers and devote a large part of your week to members of a team, the team becomes family. This week, the family travels to St. Louis in search of success against a tough St. Louis squad.
The road trip is just what this team needs to get back on track. Life on the bus, in the hotel and in the continental breakfast line is familiar and simple. The near 48 hours spent together will be refreshing, welcomed and it will bring us closer as a team and closer to our end goals. We leave behind the 1-4-0 January home stand and do what we do best, play hard and for each other. Fire up the bus, it's time to do the Lou.
Caps Split Weekend Series with the Marquette Electricians
The Madison Capitols Midget Majors Won 9-2 Saturday night, lost 3-1 Sunday morning.
Wiscohockey.com Staff
1/17/12
The Madison Capitols came out firing on a cylinders this past Saturday night, notching a season high nine goals against a skilled, but weary, Marquette Electrician team. The Caps Lane King ('93), tallied two goals in the first and one in the third to complete the hat trick, while Jake Johnson ('94) and Trevor Okeson ('93) each scored twice in the win. Caps defenseman, Ron Lindgren ('93) and forward Trey Gardner ('94)
each scored once to complete the rout. Chase Hollander ('93) continued his solid play by stopping 25 of the 27 shots he faced in the net. The Caps looked polished and fresh in this contest, but failed to bring the same effort the following morning.
With a chance to sweep Marquette at home, the Caps came out Sunday morning with a lack luster performance, losing 3-1 to a rested and poised Marquette team.
Photo by Paul Millis
The same two teams will meet again in the first round of the Gold Medal Classic on February 10, 2012. Both the 2011-2012 Season Schedule and the Gold Medal Classic schedule can be found at the top of this page.
Madison Capitols Midget Majors, Home for the Month of January
Wiscohockey.com Staff
1/9/12
The Madison Capitols Midget Majors have five home games in the month of January, The Caps play host to the Marquette Electricians this Saturday and Sunday at the Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton, Wisconsin. Marquette enters the weekend currently ranked 44th in the nation according to www.Myhockeyrankings.com.
The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. this Saturday and again on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. A current and complete 2011-2012 schedule is posted above.
Photo by Paul Millis
The Madison Capitols Midget Majors will ring in the new year with five home games in the month of January.
Content copyright . Wiscohockey.com. All rights reserved.
