Ice hockey: Better Devils you'll know

Published on Wednesday 18 February 2009 08:58

JASON SILVERTHORN will have a watching brief tonight when Edinburgh Capitals visit Cardiff Devils.

The former Capitals hitman has a broken right thumb and will be sidelined for some time.

However, he warned his former team-mates that Devils are out for revenge following Sunday's 7-4 defeat at the Riversdale rink.

The Canadian said: "We're looking to finish in the top four so we need points."

Currently, Devils are sixth in the ten-strong Elite League table with 19 wins from 43 games.

They have netted 124 goals and let in 119 in securing 44 points. Manchester Phoenix are a point ahead having played 41 games, while fourth-placed Coventry Blaze, the reigning league champions, have 62 points from 42 outings.

Capitals are eighth with 29 points, having won 12 of their 42 outings, scoring 127 goals and conceding 200, the second worst total in the league.

It was razor-sharp Jay Latulippe who took Capitals' goals against tally to 200 with Devils' fourth on Sunday with less than two minutes left. By then, Capitals were out of sight but Silverthorn said that No.1 netminder Peter Aubry could be back after being pulled following the first session on Sunday. The highly-rated Silverthorn said: "We battled our way back into Sunday's game and I believe we didn't get the breaks when we needed them.

"Sunday was our third game in four nights and the guys battled to the end, which was good.

"However, we've been on the road since Thursday and the two games at Newcastle were battles.

"The games took a lot out of the boys and by Wednesday we'll have had time to rest and prepare for Capitals."

Edinburgh fly south for the game and that will be a help but they have done that before and ended up losing. The Scots won't need reminding that they were shut out 9-0 and outshot 42-33 on October 26 last year when they made their only trip to the Principality so far this season.

That was an extremely bad night for the Scots and Silverthorn is looking for a repeat. He said: "We're going for two points on Wednesday. We're looking to finish in the top four in the table and you did not see the real Cardiff Devils at Murrayfield on Sunday. We have a very good side which is capable of climbing the table."

Silverthorn praised Edinburgh and said: "They are a tough side to beat and they will always work hard against you.

"Getting new imports in was huge for them and they will come looking for two points – but we'll be ready."

MARK HURTUBISE is the Elite League Player of the Week following his dominating form in Edinburgh Capitals' crucial home victory on Sunday over Cardiff Devils.

The Canadian was involved in six of Capitals seven goals scoring one goal and setting up five others as Edinburgh moved back into a play-off spot.

Hurtubise is third in overall scoring charts in the Elite League with 23 goals and 49 assists from 48 games.