Edinburgh battling on

EDINBURGH, UK – Another month slips away into the archives and the history books swell in the ice hockey World in an onslaught of statistics, tales of triumph and woe and the usual hypothesising of the wise and inventful. In Edinburgh during October, Capitals owner Scott Neil decided to convey his thoughts about the financial situation in the Edinburgh Capitals organisation and his frankness was appreciated by most of the Caps fans. In brief, the cloth was being cut to make sure that the suit, or season, would be finished. Promised income that has not materialised (see what I did there) had created tensions and problems where the best laid plans had been made. Like you and I when some income doesn’t turn up we have to cut the outgoings until we can see the way ahead and the Caps, prudently, have done the same. Capital fans, Ivan and Morven Leader have financed the signing of Jeff Hutchins after his release from Steelers and all at Murrayfield applaud them for their generosity and commitment. Hutchins has made an immediate impact for the Caps and his presence has rejuvenated a Caps squad who were short of confidence and, oh yes, players. Scott Neil has also had a Question and Answer Session via the Capitals website and an open fans forum is planned for 4th November. A week or two back I would have said that there will be fireworks that night, but of course, I will be one night out!

So financially Caps struggle but on the ice despite being without Doug Christiansen- who is now on one crutch, and missing Captain Martin Cingel through illness the results have been encouraging. Still with games in hand they sit in 6th place and can still mathematically qualify in the Challenge Cup. They have just defeated the Panthers, the league leaders at home after losing narrowly in Nottingham. Simon Lambert- say it with a French accent- See-mon Lomm-berr is one of the most explosive skaters I’ve seen in many a year and reminds me of Doug Smail in his speed and execution. Linking with Owen Fussey and Jeff Hutchins hitting form and the top line looks pretty good. Mark Garside is the top young Scot and continues to impress. In goal Cody Rudkowski is hitting the high spots and I believe that his current save percentage (90.2%) will continue to increase.  I also think that he has a strong dislike for a certain Sean McMorrow. McMorrow has been seen and heard giving Cody some ‘verbals’. Is that in the Code? After 6 games in 10 days Caps have a more restful week with only a trip to Hull on Saturday before a re-arranged game at home to Panthers next Tuesday for Sky television. Caps crowds have struggled this year and moving a game from a Sunday to a Tuesday will probably have a negative effect on the crowd at Murrayfield. Fans who saw Sunday’s thrilling win will probably make every effort to get there and for Caps sake I hope they do. A quick word on Caps assistant bench coach, Jock Hay. Jock has been missing recently following, would you believe it, a knee operation. Maybe Doug can pass on his crutches when he is done. Elsewhere in Scotland ice hockey, and it pains me to say this, struggles. The shallow pool of fans is drying up and for many their interest has waned beyond repair. A shock result over the past weekend was Dundee Stars beating Fife Flyers 17-3 on aggregate over 2 games. That isn’t a misprint it was 17-3. The Flyers organisation was struggling with some kind of bug I believe but the scores took many by surprise. Wherever you are enjoy your hockey and remember when you come to a fork in the road, take it. Contact the author sneddon@firenet.uk.net