Ice Hockey: Six games in eight days has American Dan Welch up for making point

The 29-year-old former Los Angeles Kings draft pick, who has played a major part in Edinburgh Capitals' record-breaking season, has his focus firmly set on fifth-placed Sheffield Steelers.

Overtaking them is the Capitals' next goal after beating their record points haul for a season but Welsh, from Hastings, Minnesota, near the Mississippi river, knows it will be tough.

Tomorrow, Capitals are away to Newcastle Vipers, a fixture which kick-starts a tough series of six games in eight days, five of them on the road. On Sunday, they travel to Belfast Giants for the re-arrangement of the game abandoned when a hole appeared in the ice.

Inspirational Owen Fussey again sits out through injury along with Great Britain defenceman Kyle Horne while Andrew Sharp remains suspended after last Sunday's fracas against Belfast and Welch knows he is in for a lot of ice time.

He said: "We know that we face a physical battle at Newcastle and Belfast are a quality side, but we're always looking for maximum points and we want to get four this weekend.

"Wednesday's win over Cardiff brought us level with Sheffield in the battle for fifth place and they are one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

"However, we've collected 51 points so far and we want more, even if we do face a number of away games in the run-in."

Welch added: "Newcastle are tough in their own small rink and you have to be very careful not to turn the puck over. We'll have to watch that on Saturday.

"We beat Belfast last Sunday at Murrayfield to get that monkey off our back but they are a very strong club and it will be hard to get two points over there.

"They still have a chance of the league title and while it is still a possibility, they'll battle."

However, Capitals will travel in high spirits after Wednesday night's comfortable home win over fourth-placed Cardiff Devils.

Sheffield have four games left and Capitals six and Edinburgh are at least sure of finishing no lower than sixth in the eight-strong table.

Vipers, after a poor spell of form, are seventh with 42 points from 52 games so Capitals can't be caught by the Tyneside team who have other concerns.

Rob Wilson's men don't want to end up with the wooden spoon but Wednesday's 3-2 reverse – their 33rd of a nightmare season – at bottom club Hull Stingrays, leaves that possibility open as the Humberside side have 37 points with four games left.

Stingrays have a fighting chance of overhauling slumping Vipers and the unpredictable North-East side will be looking over their shoulders anxiously.

Vipers are, however, dangerous on their own small rink and, in top hitman Matic Kralj, they have a potent weapon.