Ice Hockey: Two more quit Capitals as cash crisis continues to bite

TWO more imported players have turned their backs on cash-strapped Edinburgh Capitals, leaving the Murrayfield ice hockey team with only five foreign players, less than half their allowed quota.

Capitals will now ice in a crucial basement battle at rock-bottom Newcastle Vipers tonight with their hands tied behind their backs and relying on home-bred players, some of whom have only warmed the bench so far this season.

Top scorer Adam Taylor and leading defenceman Jacques Perreault are the latest to quit. Both removed their kit from the club's dressing room on Thursday night and said goodbye to their team-mates.

Taylor's move is no surprise after showing his frustration in public following Sunday's 8-0 home defeat by Braehead Clan.

Since the start of the nightmare season, Capitals have lost coach Brad Gratton plus six imported players, Chris St Jacques, Alex Kim, David Lomas, Daniel Madsen plus Taylor and Perreault.

The only ones left are skipper Martin Cingel, goaltender Scott Reid, forwards Jeff Hutchins and Nick Fanto plus defenceman Evan Schafer.

Capitals general manager Scott Neil claims the club is working hard to find suitable replacements.

"After losing St Jacques, Kim and Lomas this has come as a major blow," said Neil. "We did say that we won't stand in anyone's way if they wanted to move on, but, at the same time, it's very disappointing to lose two integral team players. I would like to wish Adam and Jacques all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for their time with the Edinburgh Capitals.

"Our focus now will be to concentrate on this weekend's games against Newcastle and Sheffield. It's not an ideal situation heading into these games so low on bodies, however, we have some very committed players on this team who still that want to see this hockey club do well.

"We are working hard to try and bolster the team with a number of signings, and have contacted a number of agents and players to see what is available to us for the remainder of the season."

Elite League official Andy French was not available for comment but he must be concerned at the latest turn of events at Murrayfield.

Star-studded Sheffield Steelers, who are pushing for the league title, are due at Murrayfield on Sunday (face-off 6pm) and they will now consider Capitals as an easy picking.