Ice Hockey: Canadian upbeat despite the Capitals' dire situation

JEFF HUTCHINS is one of the most experienced ice hockey players in the Elite League and he will pass a personal milestone if he plays in this weekend's tough away double-header.

The 32-year-old from Toronto will hit the 300 mark in all competitions and, incidentally, Edinburgh Capitals need one goal to reach 900 in all league games.

The seriously under-strength Murrayfield men now rely heavily on the much-travelled Canadian hit-man to produce top form.

Following the recent mass exodus of players - including the loss of No.?1 goaltender Scott Reid and former NHL draft pick defenceman Evan Schafer - in midweek, man-of-many clubs Hutchins is now one of only three imports in the ailing side.

Hutchins is the club's leading points scorer and is due to travel with Capitals to league title-chasers Sheffield Steelers tomorrow and then to mid-table Hull Stingrays 24 hours later.

Fans who witnessed the clinical destruction of under-strength Capitals during the final two periods of last Sunday's league clash at Murrayfield will fear the worst at The House of Steel. And Hull, who have enjoyed some notable results recently, including an away win at sixth-placed Braehead Clan, are no push-overs. Capitals need points desperately if they are to stand any chance of making the play-offs. They also need points to encourage fans to part with their cash and click the turnstyles at the Riversdale rink.

Currently, cash-strapped Capitals are in the mire - no wins in nine league games, player defections which have left them shorn of import talent apart from Hutchins, skipper Martin Cingel and Nick Fanto and with Fife-based Kyle Horne a doubt for this weekend with a foot injury makes matters worse.

Sheffield are also on a roll having won seven straight games before Wednesday's showdown with record-breaking, pace- setters Cardiff Devils in Yorkshire. And the men from The House of Steel are looking for a clean sweep over the Scots after five straight wins, including two shut-outs.

Hutchins, a former Sheffield player, is realistic about the club's chances, saying: "The guys worked really hard last Sunday but Steelers are a quality side with three strong lines.

"However, we've come close this season, losing 4-3 and 4-1 in Edinburgh and 7-5 in Sheffield. They have the luxury of having a full squad of 11 quality imports but all we can do is go down there and do our best. We did that in the first period on Sunday and we played really well. That's okay for 20 minutes but after that it gets more difficult as the legs tire."