Ice Hockey: Cingel fully aware of dangerous Clan charge

Published on Thursday 17 February 2011 09:17

Martin CINGEL today urged Edinburgh Capitals ice hockey players to keep applying themselves despite a horrendous run of 19 straight defeats.

The skipper leads his depleted staff at Scottish rivals Braehead Clan tomorrow (7.00pm) and at home to play-off rivals Newcastle Vipers on Sunday (6.00pm).

The Murrayfield men still hope of making the play-offs involving the top eight clubs in the Elite League, and experienced forward Jeff Hutchins could be back in action after sitting out last weekend's double defeat at Newcastle and at home to former league pace-setters Cardiff Devils.

Utility man Neil Hay will again sit out while he receives treatment for a nasty shoulder injury suffered during the 2-2 draw with Fife Flyers in the East Coast Cup at Murrayfield.

That's a blow as Hay has proved a real asset as he can play up front and as an emergency defenceman.

Capitals are up against it as there is no real pressure on Braehead, who have qualified for the play-offs in their first season - Sunday's point at Nottingham Panthers after being edged on penalties was enough to guarantee a slot.

Bruce Richardson's sixth-placed men have won 21 of their 43 matches, and Cingel is full of praise for the Renfrew side and their achievement saying: "They have a really good rink to play on. The sight lines are good and the whole set-up is really good.

"The ice is a good size and it is one of the best rinks in Great Britain. It's also in the middle of a modern shopping centre and a lot of people know that ice hockey is there.

"The ice surface is not as good as Murrayfield as they use it for all sorts of things, like concerts, but Murrayfield has, in my view, the best ice in the league.

"They really look after the ice in Murrayfield and they have to be applauded for that."

Looking at the team Richardson has created, Cingel added: "To have qualified for the play-offs in their first year is a huge achievement for Bruce and his team.

"Bruce has been around the league for years and he has a quality set-up there.

"They have done really well and their 7-1 win over Cardiff Devils last Friday was a fantastic result knowing who Cardiff have turned over this season.

"Cardiff are a great team. They showed that at Murrayfield last Sunday when they used three lines and played some great hockey against us."

Cingel added: "It is difficult for us to compete against three-line hockey and Braehead will use three lines against us on Saturday.

"They have three solid lines and we know all about their goalkeeper, J F Perras, who did such a good job for us when he was at Murrayfield. He has produced some great displays for Clan this season and we know he is not easily beaten."

Capitals disposed of Clan 8-3 at Murrayfield earlier in the season when they had a full team.

It was a massive result but, since then, there has been a mass exodus of foreign players.

Clan won 8-0 at Murrayfield in the return and Braehead also hold a 6-4 victory over the Edinburgh side at the Riversdale rink as well as a 5-1 win at Renfrew.

Newcastle Vipers, who are ninth, have 22 points from ten wins in 44 games. They are seven points ahead of Capitals, who prop up the table with 15 points from six wins.