DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (30-9-3-3, 66 pts) continued their offensive momentum with an 8-4 win over the Madison Capitols (18-19-4-2, 42 pts) on Friday night.

After Madison struck first just 2:30 into the opening frame, Dubuque answered with two goals in the next 1:56. Josh Giuliani started his first career multi-goal game with a response 14 seconds after Madison's ice-breaker. Then, Jake Sondreal scored his 23rd 42 seconds after that to put the Saints ahead. 

Continuing a high-scoring first period, Madison re-tied the game at two just 1:39 after Sondreal's tally. Dubuque had yet another answer to finish the first. Luke Malboeuf scored his second of the year to give the Saints the lead back before James Reeder's 19th added a fourth first-period goal for Dubuque to build a lead they never surrendered.

Early in the third, after Teddy Merrill's seventh made it 5-2 Saints after two, Madison scored twice in the first 5:19 to cut the Saints' lead to 5-4. 

Giuliani's second of the night added much-needed insurance for the Fighting Saints with 8:40 left. Erik Påhlsson (20) and Nick Romeo (9) finished the third period off for the Saints to take the first of the home-and-home series. Kevin Reidler made 24 saves to tie for the league-lead with 20 victories.

Dubuque won its fifth-straight contest and dropped its magic number to clinch a playoff berth to nine points.

The Saints and Capitols finish off their weekend-set in Middleton, WI on Saturday night.