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Capitals Re-Assign Fucale To Hershey As Calder Cup Playoffs Begin

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Capitals goaltender Zach Fucale

With the Stanley Cup Playoffs returning to D.C. and the Calder Cup Playoffs kicking off, the Washington Capitals have re-assigned goaltender Zach Fucale to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.

Washington recalled Fucale from Hershey last week before taking off for Florida, going with three netminders to open the first round in Sunrise. He didn’t dress for Games 1 or 2. Now, with the team home for Games 3 and 4, Fucale can report back to the Bears, who kick off their postseason on Friday. Hershey faces the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in the opening round.

READ MORE ON WHN: Capitals Goaltending Situation In Flux Again After Lackluster Game 2

The 26-year-old is one of five netminders on the Bears’ roster. In 31 games with Hershey this season, the 26-year-old went 11-15-5 with a .896 save percentage and 2.62 GAA. He and Pheonix Copley are the main two goalies, with Hunter Shepard, Garin Bjorklund and Clay Stevenson the other netminders on hand.

Fucale has played in three NHL games this season, going 1-1-1 with a .924 SV% and 1.75 GAA. He posted a shutout in his NHL debut, becoming the first netminder in franchise history to do so.

Meanwhile, up in the District, the Capitals continue to evaluate their situation in goal. After allowing five goals on 18 shots in Game 2, Vitek Vanecek found himself pulled in favor of Ilya Samsonov. Head coach Peter Laviolette said on Friday the team will look at their goalies and lineup heading into Game 3. Washington hosts Florida in a Saturday matinee. The first-round series is tied 1-1.