Edinburgh Capitals – the roller coaster continues

EDINBURGH, UK – Less than a month into the season and Edinburgh Capitals fans have had a roller coaster ride than not many could have foreseen back in the sunny days of June. Scott Neil managed to light the summer fires of hockey fans by taking a trip to Canada and starting the process of bringing 2 AHL teams to play at Murrayfield in what was to become the inaugural Gardiner Cup. Most cynical hockey fans who live in the land called Rumourland for many months of the summer thought that this was another pipedream but through a huge effort from all involved, and unlike a greedy goalscorer, it came to pass.
 
Around July time news came out   officially announcing that the Toronto Marlies, with the permission of the Maple Leafs, and the Hamilton Bulldogs, with the permission of the Montreal Canadiens,   would be coming to Murrayfield in September and that the Belfast Giants would be making up the line-up. Appetites were whetted by the news and hockey fans from all around the UK tried to make arrangements to come to Edinburgh. Many did and many from Edinburgh and from the frozen wastelands of Scottish League Hockey were glad to come and see probably the highest level of hockey ever in the UK involving British teams.
 
During the summer Director of Hockey, Doug Christensen, had been busy trying to re-assemble a stronger Caps side to try to take the leap from 7^th/8^th spot to possibly the top 4. The signings accumulated with the prospect of the new guys coming in September and moving things on.
 
A new Netminder Cody “Rudy” Rudkowsky- a goalie with a 100% save record in the NHL. Ok it was only 1 game but well done that man.
 
New D men Mike Beynon, Mark Smith (brother of Kenton), Chris Allen and returning Ben O’Connor joined up with Kyle Horne to form the Caps defence.
 
New forward Simon Lambert, a Quebecois, therefore Simone Lamberrrrr quickly became a new song for the Murrayfield choir. He was joined by Owen Fussey and the returning Darius Pliskauskas, whose name happens to fit into a certain song that begins, “ Supercally fragilistic super Pliskauskas”, joined up again with Captain Martin Cingel and Doug himself. Jordan steel, Mark Paterson, Neil Hay and Mark Garside made up the British contingent. Well not quite. News came out in July that Doug a signed a certain Andrew Sharp. Yet again internet forums in the UK went red hot with everyone’s, mostly negative, views about his signing. Doug himself called it a risky one. Time will tell.
 
Caps started their League campaign with a 9-2 win at Hull Stingrays. Some Caps fans took this as a sign that the Caps would walk away with the League but the Stingrays were short-benched after disgraceful behind the benches fighting at Cardiff the night before. Enter the dragon or Voth anyone? The win was a good one and with 1 month loan signing Scott McKenzie notching a hat-trick the signs were encouraging. Sadly Doug Christensen sustained a serious knee injury- shattering his patella (kneecap) and needed surgery. He did make it back to Edinburgh in time for the Gardiner Cup and has begun his recovery.

 
The good form continued in an Overtime loss at home to the high-flying Panthers the following evening. Fighting back fro 1-3 down to 3-3 them losing to a great goal by the “new” Jade Galbraith!
 
Then came the Gardiner Cup. Named in honour of Chuck Gardiner an Edinburgh native who went on to become the first Scot to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Bulldogs and the Marlies played a competitive game on the Thursday with the Dogs winning 1-0. Murrayfield was three-quarters full as both teams played fast, attractive hockey with some great goal-tending and defensive plays catching the eye.
 
On the Saturday the Caps succumbed to the Marlies 0-7 and the Giants lost to the Bulldogs 1-6 setting up the final between the 2 AHL teams for the Sunday evening. Giants beat Caps comprehensively 6-2 in the 3^rd/4^th place game that also doubled as a Challenge Cup game. The Bulldogs duly won the final 3-1 and took great joy in lifting the inaugural Gardiner Cup. Details of the second one will be eagerly awaited next summer.
 
Caps returned to Hull and lost 4-1 last weekend in a Cup game and face a difficult home and away against the much improve Vipers this weekend. News of a replacement import for Doug or indeed filling the vacant 11^th import slot remain just that, rumours. Caps have done a great job igniting their fans interest this season but the more difficult task of retaining it and building up their fan base will be their main challenge alongside winning games and being a winning team. We all know that the economic climate is tough but we have a great sport that can excite like no other and as fans we need to be selling it as well as the clubs.
 
Whoever you support enjoy your hockey and remember it is slippy out there!
 
Contact Jim.Sneddon@prohockeynews.com