Ice Hockey: Defeats just keep on coming for rock-bottom Capitals and fans

The Murrayfield men, once again bolstered by guest players, were unable to keep pace with Hull Stingrays, particularly as they tired in the later stages.

The Humberside men coasted to a 9-2 victory to claim a maximum point weekend over the rock-bottom Scots.

Hard-working Hull, who had lost five straight games before coming to Edinburgh on Saturday night, are mid-table and not a top side, fired 15 goals against them and received only five in reply.

Capitals and guests manfully lace on their skates and everyone does appreciate their considerable efforts.

Long-term, the young Capitals players, and their guests, will learn from the experience, but, frankly, the paying public, particularly the season ticket holders, are being cheated as the make-shift side is not competitive.

Last night, Capitals iced five players from other teams to make up their roster and they were 3-1 down at the first break.Andy Hirst opened the scoring after five minutes and Jereme Tendler made it 2-0 eight minutes later.

Jeff Hutchins pulled one back in the 18th minute with new Czech Republic defenceman Jan Safar and Bari McKenzie involved in the build-up.

But Tendler fired home his second and Hull's third shorthanded with 19 seconds left on the opening period and former Capitals hit-man Jason Silverthorn made it 4-1 only 23 seconds into the middle session.

Skipper Martin Cingel reduced the deficit on the power play after 35 minutes with defenceman Blake Royale and experienced forward Jeff Hutchins assisting, but Hull then fired two quick goals at the start of the third period to move 6-2 ahead, Andrew Coburn and Tendler hitting the rigging. Game over.

Konstantin Kalmikov, who impressed in Edinburgh, then burst into the scoring. He claimed three goals, the first in the 50th, the second six minutes later, and the third 70 seconds from time, to extend the margin between the sides to seven goals.

On Saturday, short-benched Capitals, with only 11 skaters, once again worked hard but ended up losing 6-3 to Hull despite the debut of defenceman Safar.

Once again, new netminder Jens van Poucke showed his class, earning the Man of the March award. He dealt with 61 shots against the 25 shared between No.?1 Christian Boucher and Andy Jaszczyk.

Capitals got off to the best possible start when former Solway Sharks forward Bari McKenzie picked up a rebound to fire home in the sixth minute.

Hull replied quickly, Matti Uusivirta netting in the next attack and the visitors had another chance to score soon after when Jereme Tendler latched onto the puck on the left but van Poucke blocked.

Cingel burst into the play minutes later, driving down the right and he fed McKenzie but the Scot fanned on the shot.

Jeff Hutchins was next to threaten for the home side but his effort was blocked and then Cingel's shot was blocked by Boucher. Capitals were on a high and Hutchins threatened on the turn and the sides ended the period level.

There was a real scare for Capitals 27 seconds into the middle session when Kalmikov hit the bar with van Pouke beaten and then the in-form netminder saved low from Tendler as Hull upped the pace. It was therefore no surprise when Tendler scored the go-ahead goal after 30min 28sec following a neat move.

Ben Lowe netted at 31min 09sec for No.?3 and Capitals looked to be down and out.

Typically, they battled back and Cingel's historic strike in the 43rd minute gave the home side hope - it was the popular player's 100th goal in the league in his 350th game.

Five minutes later Hull popped in No.?4, Ryan Lake doing the damage after Capitals' forward Iain Bowie was robbed of the puck near his own goal. And the fifth followed soon after following another mistake in Capitals' rearguard, Uusivirta slotting home. Time: 50min 14sec. The sixth came 21 seconds later when Coburn slotted home and there was no way back for the home side.

McKenzie claimed his second of the night with less than six minutes remaining but it was a consolation effort. Capitals fans continue to support their favourites despite a depressing run of defeats and they deserve huge praise for that.

Indeed, they are unfailing in their desire to see the club progress but the play-offs now seem a distant dream. On current form, and despite the effort shown, it is difficult to see Capitals winning another league game this season.

Scott Neil praised his short-staffed side, saying: "We played well for two periods at Hull and we were 4-2 at the end of the second.

"We ran out of steam in the third and we played well over the weekend. The boys worked hard and were competitive and that's all you can ask for."

Neil praised debutant defenceman Safar, who he believes will be a good acquisition for the club, while netminder van Pouke had another good game.

Neil added: "We are trying to be as realistic as possible over our situation. We'll train Tuesday and Thursday and be ready for Newcastle away on Saturday and Cardiff at home on Sunday."