Ice Hockey: Taylor aims to take in a talent show at Sheffield

But he realises that Capitals will all have to be on the same go-ahead wavelength when the Scots check-in at Sheffield Steelers tomorrow.

The Yorkshire side regained top spot in the ten-strong Elite League table after their weekend slaughter of rough, tough Newcastle Vipers.

Player/coach Ben Simon's men hammered the Tyneside team 8-0 on Saturday in Sheffield and won 5-3 at Whitley Bay in the return on Sunday.

So far, in-form Sheffield have won all five of their league games, scoring 31 goals in the process and conceding only four. Included in that total were back-to-back wins over Dundee Stars who were shutout 6-0 at the Dundee Ice Arena and thrashed 7-0 in The House of Steel.

Capitals edged Dundee 3-2, thanks to a strike from new signing Alex Kim on Sunday, so if form is anything to go by then coach Brad Gratton's men have a huge task ahead of them. They'll travel south minus stylish Danish defenceman Daniel Madsen and the men from the Riversdale rink are also likely to be without Bonnyrigg-based hit-man Jordan Steel.

He hurt his right shoulder in Saturday's 5-1 defeat at Belfast Giants and is having problems lifting his right arm.

Capitals are still missing defenceman Jacques Perreault, leaving them short on defence but, when the 25-year-old from Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, arrives he should add real muscle to the blue line.

American-born Perreault is 6ft 4in tall and comes to the Capital following three years with Northeastern University in the NCAA, where the played 60 games, and a season with Quad City Mallards where he played 72 games in the tough International Hockey League.

Taylor is confident that the Capitals can be competitive in the league and he is buoyed by the signing of Alex Kim.

The Californian-born player claimed a man-of-the-match award on his home debut and Taylor said: "He is a player who makes others play and breeds confidence.

"Alex has played in the Asian League for the past three seasons and he brings real experience to the side."

The six-foot tall, former seventh round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2002 also mentioned Slovakian Martin Cingel and said: "Martin has played in Great Britain long enough to make his presence count. He scored a crucial goal for us on Sunday against Dundee to level the scores at 2-2 and then was involved with myself in setting-up Alex for the winner. The guys (Alex and Martin) can both take a chance when it comes and they look to be forming a good combination.

"The team is developing. We need time to gel together but we will surprise teams this year."

Taylor, who also played in Asia and spent four seasons in two spells with highly-rated Northern American combine, Victoria Salmon Kings, also believes that the home-bred players on the roster have a lot to offer.

And the 26-year-old right wing from Campbell River, British Columbia, singled out Neil Hay for praise.

Hay fell foul of a new rule regarding injuries to an opponent and was thrown out of Saturday's league clash at Belfast. But the Edinburgh-born player, who can ice up front or in defence, was described as an "unsung hero" by the Canadian.

Taylor said: "He can play both positions and he is really good for us. Sunday was also good for us.

"We beat Dundee and winning becomes a habit. It's all about momentum.

"We all want to do well here to make this club a force and we also want to do well for the fans. They were awesome on Sunday."

Taylor, who scored Capitals' consolation strike after 49 minutes to bring the scoreline back to 3-1 in Belfast before Edinburgh shipped two later goals, conceded it was tough in Northern Ireland with a short bench.

However, the adversity brought out the best in new 6ft 4in netminder Scott Reid. The 33-year-old from Grande Prairie put up the shutters and only conceded five goals from 53 shots. Taylor said: "He was awesome. We can build on what we have here and we look forward to the weekend."

Newcastle Vipers are the visitors on Sunday, also in the Elite League, and it should be noted that they won the pre- season challenge matches 11-5 at Whitley Bay and 7-5 in Edinburgh.

They also left a sour taste with their bruising tactics and Capitals will be anxious for revenge.