The Oahe Capitals would build a 3-0 lead in the second period against the Rushmore Thunder on Sunday but would ultimately fall 5-3 for its first loss of the season.
Ashton Griese scored the first goal of the game on the power play, his fifth of the season, on a pass that found a Rushmore skate and went into the back of the net. It was the one and only break the Capitals received. Carter Sanderson scored his 10th and 11th goal of the season midway through the second period, but then the Thunder made their run. Rushmore scored on the power play as Dawson Wirth beat Kieran Duffy to make it 3-1. Then a fanned on clearing attempt led for the Thunder to catch a break and score its second of the game. In the third period the Thunder would catch another break to tie the game up as the Capitals lost an edge behind their own net leading to the tying score from Hayden Holec. Kaleb Merchan with around 2:30 to play scored the go-ahead goal and Wirth would add an empty netter to finish of the win and keep the Thunder undefeated at 7-0.
The Capitals are now 4-1 on the season and will host Yankton on Saturday and Sunday this week. Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:00. Coverage of the day will begin with the girls contest at 4:40 in part of a straight doubleheader at the Expo Center in Ft. Pierre. Jon Winkler will have the call on Capital City Rock and on YouTube at Capital City Rock Sports.