Ice Hockey: Capitals' case for defence is hit as Benyon bows out

Published on Thursday 15 October 2009 09:51

BIG defenceman Mike Benyon misses Edinburgh Capitals' Challenge Cup trip to Belfast Giants tomorrow and Sunday's home joust with Cardiff Devils in the Elite League to fly home to Canada on family business, writes NIGEL DUNCAN.

The 26-year-old former Las Vegas Wranglers and New Mexico Scorpions player is due back on Monday but skipper Martin Cingel is expected to return to duty after missing last weekend's Challenge Cup double-header against Newcastle Vipers as he had flu-like symptoms.

Doug Christiansen, the club's director of hockey, revealed: "We've already had one confirmed case of swine flu in our dressing-room and I did not want to risk the health of the team having Martin play.

"Martin found out (on Monday) he does not have swine flu. He did not train on Tuesday night but hopefully he'll be back training this week at some point." Christiansen said: "We had a great win on Saturday on the road and came up just short on Sunday. Throughout the weekend a number of players really stepped up. If we continue to battle and work as hard as we did the last two games, we will be a tough team to beat this year."

He praised three players for their efforts. Great Britain defenceman Ben O'Connor, who replaced Cingel on left wing, and the American believes young Jordan Steel had his best weekend for the club.

Christiansen also singled out tough guy Andrew Sharp. "Andrew had a phenomenal weekend. He scored the game winning goal on a great shot on a pass from Scott McKenzie in Newcastle. On Sunday, he helped motivate the whole team.

"Sharpy has been working hard to improve as a player. He has a way to go to achieve his goals but it was great to see him be rewarded for his efforts. We built this team from the back hoping that we would have a top defensive unit. I think we have one."