Ice Hockey: We're not Fussey who we play as long as we win, says Owen

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 10:07

OWEN FUSSEY has called on his Edinburgh Capitals team-mates to forget the past and concentrate fully on tomorrow's crucial Elite League clash at rock-bottom Hull Stingrays.

The Canadian was on the mark in Sunday's nine-goal thriller against Nottingham Panthers, which moved Capitals into sixth spot in the eight-strong league.

Hard-working Fussey has been influential this season and his inspirational qualities will be needed tomorrow.

The Murrayfield men currently have nine points from the same number of games but Edinburgh, Sheffield – who have eight from 12 starts – and Hull who prop up the table with six from 12 games, are adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle Vipers, who have 16 points from 12 fixtures.

Fussey, who has struck up a fine understanding with quicksilver Simon Lambert and new recruit Jeff Hutchins, said: "Nottingham was a big win for us. We played really well in Nottingham on Saturday and led 2-0 but they came back at us and we ended up losing. On Sunday, we refocused and edged the game 5-4, which was great for us and the fans.

"However, every game we want to win. The first five minutes and the last five are key moments in any game and we have to be ready for Hull.

"We have to keep playing our game and keep playing hard. We played hard against Nottingham and got a result which was great.

"They are top of the league and our win shows that any team can beat another team in this league on any given night."

The talented 26-year-old from Winnipeg was a draft pick for NHL side Washington Capitals in 2001 and is a proven winner having helped American Hockey League outfit the Hershey Bears triumph in the Calder Cup in 2005-06 season.

He added: "We need to play a sound defensive game at Hull. We have great goaltending with Cody Rudkowsky and you have to take your opportunities up front when they come.

"It is up to ourselves. If we are ready tomorrow, and we don't make mistakes, they we will be fine. The team who makes least mistakes wins.

"Hull have some fine players but we have quality too. We have to work hard for every one of the 60 minutes of the game. We have to take things shift by shift and one period at a time.

"We definitely have something to play for but Hull also have something to play for. However, beating Nottingham was great for the club.

"Everybody has been lifted by that as they were top of the league when they came here. The win, plus the way we did it, was great for the team and for the organisation.

"It was also good publicity and a great advert for the sport on TV. If we can continue to win and climb the table then we hope more fans will come and support us."

Capitals fans celebrated at the final whistle on Sunday by singing: "There's only one team in Scotland." Factually correct, and it was easy to see why they were so delighted.

The win ended a two-game losing run and lifted spirits among the fans and in the dressing-room.

In contrast, Hull suffered a narrow home loss on Tyneside to Newcastle Vipers.

It was an eighth-straight defeat for Stingrays, who went down to a goal in the final minute by Mike Berry.

Hull will be ruing the fact that they outshot the home side 40-21 and still came away with nothing. One reason for that was the form of former Capitals netminder Michal Robinson.

Hull have won only two of their games, scoring 25 goals – the worst total in the league – and shipping 48, one fewer than leaders Nottingham.

Edinburgh have scored 32 and let in 34 in winning four and losing five of their fixtures so far and the pressure is mounting on Hull.

And Capitals must beware as, according to reports, Stingrays were in control of the first period in Newcastle but failed to turn their possession into goals.

Adam Knight, a man to watch on Saturday, broke the deadlock in the 25th minute and Hull maintained their slender advantage until just over a minute into the final stanza.

Jason Tejchma levelled for Vipers but Hull looked the more likely side to take the points until Berry scored at 58min 25sec.

A fitness check will be done on Edinburgh's Great Britain defenceman Kyle Horne after a concussion but skipper Martin Cingel (lower body injury) has been ruled out.

Tomorrow's game is Edinbugh's only fixture this weekend but they have re-scheduled Nottngham Panthers for Tuesday (7.30pm) as Sky Sports will be at Murrayfield to film the game for screening later in the week.