Ice hockey: Christiansen grants Capitals a rest after weekend results prove costly

Published on Monday 9 February 2009 09:14

DOUG CHRISTIANSEN has given Edinburgh Capitals two days off to re-charge their batteries ahead of the crucial run in to the play-offs.

The move follows Capitals' 5-2 defeat at Nottingham Panthers on Saturday when they were outshot 51-20. Christiansen travelled south looking for something from the game to stay in the eighth and final play-off spot.

But Capitals came away with nothing while resurgent Hull Stingrays edged seventh-placed Newcastle Vipers 2-1 on Tyneside. The Humberside men now occupy eighth place with Edinburgh in ninth but Christiansen said: "The better team won (on Saturday].

"I think we played okay but not well enough to win. Nottingham had eight power play opportunities and we did not have a power play until late in the game.

"We were killing penalties a lot and that meant our guys were up against their top players on the ice for much of the time."

The result was no surprise considering that Nottingham have won 29 of their 41 games, while Capitals have won 11, to sit in second spot in the ten-strong table. Christiansen added: "Nottingham are playing well right now. Our job is to re-group.

"All but one of our last seven games have been against the top teams like Coventry, Nottingham and Sheffield. It's been really difficult for us so we'll give the guys two days off to re-energise.

"We'll be back on Wednesday and we'll re-focus."

Capitals now face a home and away double-header against sixth placed Cardiff Devils with the first game on Sunday at Murrayfield before a trip to the Principality on Wednesday night.

And Christiansen said: "The Cardiff game marks the start of a tough schedule and we need to get as many points as we can."

The playcaller was unhappy with referee Dean Smith, particularly in his penalty calls. Asked if he was criticising the whistler, Christiansen said: "Close to it."

Nottingham's comfortable win was notable for the home side almost going through the whole game penalty free. Their only penalty was a minor penalty with 17 seconds remaining but, unfortunately, the same could not be said for Capitals And how they paid for it as Panthers hit four of their goals on the powerplay.

The only goal of the first session came at 7min 40sec from the stick of Brendan Cook, his 18th of the season. Panthers were, however, in total control, outshooting Capitals 18-4. Their powerplay clicked into gear for the first time five minutes into the second session when Jade Galbraith fired home to claim his 14th goal of the campaign.

A further powerplay chance five minutes later was converted by Galbraith to make it 3-0.

Christiansen pulled one back with his 15th of the season five minutes later and Capitals went in at the second break with some hope.

But the professional Nottingham side killed off and hopes of a surprise comeback with two more powerplay goals early in the final session.

A five-on-three advantage saw Johan Molin convert for the 20th time this term to make it 4-1 at 1min 59sec into the period. And the fifth hit the rigging on 45min 59sec thanks to Cook's second of the game.

Capitals battled on and gained a consolation with less than three minutes remaining when the prolific Mark Hurtubise fired home his 22nd goal of the season.

While Capitals struggle, Hull make hay and their coach Rick Strachan insists Excel Hull Stingrays will not be getting carried away after moving into a play-off place courtesy of a 2-1 win at Newcastle Vipers.

Steve Slonina put Stingrays ahead before former Scottish Eagles hit-man Ed Courtenay levelled on the powerplay with two seconds of the first period remaining. Hull captain Jeff Glowa then popped up with the game-winning goal in the 56th minute and Strachan's side are now on a roll having accumulated 13 points from their last 12 games.

Strachan said: "It is important to stay level-headed. The guys have worked so hard for the last 12 games to get to where we are, but until we are mathematically there nothing matters."