Ice Hockey: Beleaguered Capitals reach milestone of consecutive defeats

The experienced marksman slotted home 45 seconds from time to ruin back-up netminder Michael Will's hopes of a second straight shut-out against the Murrayfield men.

He back-stopped Braehead Clan to a 15-0 win on Capitals' last visit to Renfrew.

As for Clan, the home side recorded their fifth straight league win to record their best run of the season so far and the league rookies remain in fifth place in the ten-strong table.

Edinburgh's 7-1 defeat at Braehead means they are now cast adrift at the bottom of the pile with 15 points and the only consolation is that fellow strugglers Newcastle Vipers also lost on Saturday.

Capitals at least had a recognisable squad at Clan unlike the night before at Nottingham Panthers when head coach Scott Neil borrowed a number of players to make up the numbers. They lost 16-0.

However, fans are staying away and rival promoters, privately, are shaking their heads and cringing at the situation. Capitals, currently, are detrimental to their box-office.

Bosses of other sports can't believe that Capitals are being allowed to continue competing by the Elite League.

And the Edinburgh side's goals-against tally is now a staggering 365 in 49 games.

Thankfully, there are only five more league games left in a season from hell for the team and the club's long-suffering supporters.

Saturday's 7-1 defeat was once again a one-sided affair with Jans van Poucke dealing with 68 shots. Will had to handle 21 in return. It was all downhill after Tim Wedderburn opened the scoring with his first goal of the season in the 12th minute.

Clan made it 2-0 on the power play with just over a minute left, Mathieu Wathier netting at 18 minutes, 49 seconds.

The inevitable third arrived nine minutes into the second session when Matt Haywood scored and Clan went 4-0 ahead with a shorthanded goal from Ryan Campbell after 37 minutes, 16 seconds.

Brendan Cook made it 5-0 only a minute and 20 seconds into the final period and Ryan Campbell added another nine minutes later. Cook claimed that his second goal and Clan's seventh in the 54th minute before Hutchins scored.

Edinburgh Capitals are scheduled to be on the road again this weekend, visiting title-chasing Belfast Giants on Friday and at Dundee CCS Stars on Saturday with Hull Stingrays due at the Riversdale rink on Sunday.

That's a tough schedule with a short-benched side.

"In Nottingham, Scott Neil had to borrow a number of players to make up the numbers. Capitals lost 16-0"