MADISON, Wis. -- Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) scored a goal and fired eight shots on net as the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Madison Capitols, 5-3, Saturday night at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

The Capitols scored two quick goals at the 12:33 mark and 32 seconds later at the 13:05 mark to take a 2-1 lead over Team USA.

The U18s generated chances in the Madison zone before the end of the stanza, but headed back to the locker room trailing by one at the end of the first.

Similar to the start of the first period, Team USA came out with energy to start the second as Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, N.D.) tied the game just 20 seconds into the frame.

Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) fired a slap shot from the top of the circles and Caulfield was able to get a stick on it and deflect it into the net, tying the game at two.

Just 1:30 after the Caulfield goal, Hughes collected the puck in the offensive zone and skated around the Madison net. After finding his way to the slot, Hughes deked to his backhand and lifted the puck top shelf to give Team USA a 3-2 lead.

As they did in the first period, the Capitols stormed back and tied the contest at the 13:27 mark of the second period.  Neither team could score again in the period and the teams went into the intermission tied at three.

Madison opened the scoring in the third period at the 3:28 mark to take the 4-3 lead. 

Team USA continued to pressure the Capitols as they pushed for the game-tying goal throughout the third period and pulled Cameron Rowe (Wilmette, Ill.) for a sixth attacker with two minutes remaining. 

The U18s generated chances in the Madison zone, but could not find a way to tie the game as the Capitols found the empty net with 11 seconds remaining and made the score 5-3.

Team USA returns to action on Friday (Mar. 8) when it takes on the Lincoln Stars at the Ice Box. Puck drop is set for 8:05 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on HockeyTV.com.

NOTES: Team USA outshot Madison 43-23 and went 0-for-4 on the power play.