Ice Hockey: Ross and Co set out for revenge – served cold

Published on Tuesday 10 November 2009 08:32

ROSS DALGLEISH today revealed that Nottingham Panthers are taking no chances as they bid to erase the memory of their recent narrow defeat at Edinburgh Capitals in tonight's 7.30pm clash.

The son of former Murrayfield Racers player Davie Dalgleish is expecting nothing other than a tough battle tonight following the 5-4 victory for Capitals on 1 November.

Panthers travelled north from Newcastle on Sunday night and practised at Murrayfield at noon yesterday.

Their player/coach Corey Neilson has recruited former National Hockey League (NHL) defenceman Mario Larocque who made his debut in Saturday's home win over arch rivals Sheffield Steelers, a game watched by a packed house of 7,000 fans.

The 6-3 win ensured that Panthers went back to the top of the Elite League and consigned Sheffield to bottom spot, a point no doubt enjoyed hugely by Nottingham fans.

Dalgleish scored in the 16th minute to make the scoreline 2-1, his first goal since earning the Man of the Match award and netting his first goal for the English side in their opening league game of the season in early September.

The 21-year-old former electrician was delighted to get on the scoresheet again and the feisty 6ft forward and his high-flying team-mates are desperate to emerge from the Edinburgh rink tonight with another two points to underline their growing championship credentials.

Dalgleish said: "Edinburgh are a different proposition to the side they were last year but I'm sure we can get the win we want.

"Doug (Christiansen, Capitals' crocked director of hockey), is working behind the bench just now and he can concentrate on coaching.

"They have a really good goaltender who has impressed us and they have some quality players but we've just brought in a former NHL draft pick.

"Mario is a defenceman who has played five games for Tampa Bay Lightning in 1996 and he's also played in the International Hockey League (IHL) and in Austria. He's an experienced player and we travel to Edinburgh looking for a win." Dalgleish has been boosted by Saturday's goal and he admitted: "It's been a while since my first one in the first game of the season when I also picked up the Man of the Match award.

"I was getting worried about it as it is around 20 matches since I found the net but that gets the monkey off my back and I can move forward."

Dalgliesh has made significant strides in his own career. He said: "Being a professional player means I can work at my game all the time.

"It's made a big difference. We get Monday off – not this week, of course with the TV game – and two days off if we win both our weekend games.

"Normally, we practise and then go to the gym. I'm much fitter and stronger than I was. We also do our video show on the day before a game.

"We concentrate on our own game, looking at strengths and weakness, and not too much on the opposition.

"There is a lot more pressure now as it's my job. However, you have to put that at the back of your mind and try to enjoy it."

He'll enjoy it all the more if Panthers can take the points in Edinburgh this time.

Dalgleish added: "It's a TV game. When it (the TV) first started it was a big thing.

"You get used to it playing for Nottingham. We're up there in the league and we naturally get more coverage but the TV does not matter too much to us as our focus is on taking maximum points in every game.

"We're looking to do that in Edinburgh.

"We motored north on Sunday night after the Newcastle game and we trained at Murrayfield at lunchtime on Monday.

"I know the rink quite well having been around the place for 16 years!"

As regards Capitals' team news, Martin Cingel, the club skipper is ruled out, but Kyle Horne, Edinburgh's Great Britain defenceman, will have a late fitness check and will be hoping to play some part in the game.