Ice Hockey: Capitals must be wary of backlash

Published on Tuesday 27 October 2009 08:46

KYLE HORNE is cursing his luck because he'll miss out on Edinburgh Capitals' Group A Challenge Cup clash with Sheffield Steelers tonight (7.30pm).

The rugged Fifer suffered concussion in Saturday's penalty-shot victory in South Yorkshire and will sit out this week.

It's a real blow for the Capitals who will have to rotate four defencemen – Mike Benyon, Chris Allen, Ben O'Connor and Mark Smith – against the reigning Elite League champions and the play-off title holders.

Horne believes the inconsistent Yorkshire outfit, who lost 5-2 at Coventry Blaze in the league on Sunday to cap a dismal weekend, will be out for revenge following Saturday's 6-5 home defeat to Capitals in the Elite League. And a victory at Murrayfield would greatly assist the English team's campaign. They sit second in Group A with four points from two games having scored 11 goals and lost six.

Edinburgh have two points from their four games, having lost three and won one. They have scored eight goals and shipped 18.

But the Capitals are not out of the hunt yet, a point Horne stressed, and the Great Britain defenceman added: "It's a major competition and the guys want to stay in there.

"I don't believe there is a hockey player who wants to lose and we've got winners on our team.

"It will be hard for us with only four defencemen, but we came through on Saturday and we can do it again.

"It's on our home ice and we're up for it after the weekend when we beat Sheffield and Hull on penalty shots."

The 29-year-old, who played several seasons with his home town team Fife Flyers, before moving to Slough Jets, added: "I don't believe Sheffield have as strong a team as they did last season.

"I also believe that they have team problems but they still work hard and they will come here wanting to win."

Horne claimed Capitals dominated the game in The House of Steel for at least 50 minutes and added: "They got a lucky goal and then a power-play strike to get them level. Then we traded goals but the guys dug in, worked hard and we got the win thanks to Simon (Lambert) who scored a penalty-shot winner.

"I came off in the second period. I bumped my head after falling and I'll be out for a week.

"The guys have taken a lot of confidence from Sheffield and Sunday's win over Hull. It helps when you have an outstanding goaltender.

"Cody (Rudkowsky) was unbelievable at Sheffield and again against Hull. He doesn't shout but we know he will be there to save the puck.

"He's an outstanding player and he gives the whole team confidence.

"We've also got a really strong dressing-room and quality players in Simon (Lambert), Owen (Fussey) and we're working well rotating the five defencemen.

"The whole team is working for each other and we're determined to keep winning."