Ice Hockey: Win over Coventry has Edinburgh Capitals bubbling with confidence

The modest Canadian needed every bit of assistance to recover after his heroic efforts in the 5-3 win which has lifted everybody connected with the club.

Fans now believe that director of hockey Doug Christiansen and his team can mount a challenge for the final four in the post-season play-offs.

And they cite wins over the likes of Coventry as proof that the current team has the potential to cause a real shock.

However, this weekend, Capitals play back-to-back games against third-placed Belfast Giants in Belfast on Saturday and at Murrayfield on Sunday and Lambert, 26, does not need reminding that the Edinburgh club have not beaten them this season.

Belfast have won all five games, collecting 30 goals in the process with the Capitals only scoring seven in response.

"They are our nemesis this year," said former Oklahoma City Blazers hitman Lambert, who was delighted with his two goals in two minutes in Tuesday's game – and a little relieved as well.

"The first one came thanks to great work from Jeff Hutchins," he said. "The second was set-up by Kyle Horne and I was delighted to see them going in.

"Recently, the puck has been hitting the goaltender or being deflected and not going in and Tuesday's result was great for us. "Coventry are the best side in the league right now as the standings show. We've beaten them and now it's Belfast."

Lambert is Capitals' top points gatherer and he currently sits in 12th place in the overall standings. Three Belfast players are ahead of him in the points charts.

Glasgow-born Colin Shields leads the way with 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points from 41 games followed by fifth-placed Brandon Benedict (41 games, 17 goals, 39 assists) and Evan Cheverie, who is ninth with 14 goals and 36 assists in 41 starts. And, of course, Belfast also have prolific Jeff Szwez in their line-up.

He has netted 21 goals in 23 games and has also set up nine other strikes since being introduced to the team.

Lambert added: "The guys like playing on the Belfast ice and it will be a real challenge for us. We like a challenge and we have to keep earning points if we want to move up the league."

Capitals will again be minus skipper Martin Cingel (shoulder), Michael Beynon (concussion) and Doug Christiansen and Lithuanian forward Darius Pliskauskas who was released on Wednesday.

Christiansen said: "Tuesday was a great win for us. Coventry are a good side, as the standings suggest, but we out-worked them in the first period. They out-worked us in the second but we played really well in the third."

Capitals will need to show the first and third period form in Belfast if they are to stand any chance and Christiansen added: "We're looking for points this weekend but Belfast are a tough side.

"Jeff Szwez has scored 23 goals in 21 games and he is their best player. Colin Shields is the top points scorer in the league.

"They have potential all over the ice. They are big, skilled, fast and physical and it is a big test for us."