Weekend review

Caps have bad weekend, sees them 7th in EIHL table...

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Edinburgh capitals aren't having the best of seasons so far are they? This weekend things went form bad to worse loosing both on Saturday and Sunday. Their hardest test of the season so far was against league leaders Dundee stars who are destroying everyone in their path. Caps pushed with all their might but once again it was stars of the show Dundee who came out on top, winning 6-2 to send their fans home happy! Like I said last week, its becoming a tradition of Nico Sacchetti scoring twice in each game. Well, that happened on Saturday once again. He opened the scoring for Dundee for his first in the second after caps carried a one goal lead via Jordan Steel into the break. John Dolan made it two followed by Sacchetti getting his second once again! Now leading 3-1, stars were confident and added via Rory Rawlyk for four. After, stars made it five going into the second break as Billy Bargon fired past Hiladvlosky to make it a five goal period. They had thrashed caps in that period but caps did get back on track in the third despite Tysen Dowzak securing the win easily in the early stages of period three but with four minutes to go, Edinburgh had the final say as Les Reaney fired past Balaka but stars kept it going for a win to keep them unbeaten at home this year!

It was followed by a 7-0 home blitzing by Brahead clan seeing Kyle Jones get his first shut out of the season. Ed Mcgrane opened the scoring early on and Ash Goldie would double their lead for a 2-0 first period. Second period, and it was clans best defense man Nathan Moon who made it 3-0. Clan were now flying ad their fourth would come once again from skipper Ash Goldie. Period three and not only had Ash Goldie got two, but Moon once again scored to give him the same for that game. Shane Lust and Lee Esders would finish off clans scoring and give them a night to remember. The travelling fans went back to Glasgow happy, but the home side would walk home not too pleased but they will still have faith. Caps were in this position last year and ended up rising and smashing everyone in their path. Edinburgh fans, I wouldn't worry too much!

Cardiff get goalie Lacosta back, which gets devils season right back on track...

Cardiff devils have had problems lately starting the season without injured starting goalie Dan Lacosta who had injuries in game one of the campaign against Fife Flyers. So the past few games have seen Devils backup goalies Joe Myers and Greg Balis share ice time. The young net minders tried their hardest to keep devils going. Credit to them as they are learning well. Especially with the experience they've had over the past few weeks. With Dacosta back though, he played his first full game this season against Sheffield on Saturday night at the big blue tent in Cardiff. His home debut didn't go too well with a 4-2 loss to the Steelers.(Highlights soon on a future post). Next night, was the same matchup, again, only this time it was played in Sheffield. This time, Devils got revnge for the previous night leading 4-0 by the second break. Steelers roared back in the third scoring 3 unanswered goals to turn, what should of been an easy win for devils into a super tight intense final few minutes but devils held on for the two points for probably their best performance of the season so far! Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDX6i2qtBoY

Coventry finally slay the dragon...

As you probably read a few posts above, Dundee once again gave a smashing out, beating Edinburgh Capitals 6-2 on Saturday, up next, the victims were Coventry blaze on Sunday at a packed skydome. Dundee, who had dominated the EIHL so far, got stunned, 6-2! It now takes Dundee off the throne and sees a new big guy in town, and now these two teams will battle it out to show who the crown contenders really are. Its gone from Dundee being the rulers of the league to Coventry coming in and putting a stop to it and and making stars not the only big guy in town. The kings of the castle now have competition don't they? Its going to be interesting now and both sides will try their hardest for the elite league title. Its not as easy as thought for stars. Highlights of the season changing game here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUvEmrSM5Vo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUmwcMWn7iQVvzx1DWD3hPhg

Giants have good weekend, despite loosing their biggest game so far...

Belfast giants had a massive game in Nottingham on Saturday night against the panthers, both teams battled it out but it would it would be panthers that came out victorious, 3-2. A 1-1 first period would see panthers up 2-1 by break two. Giants leveled with three minutes left but just 16 seconds later Matt Francis would win it for the home side. Highlights here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkpp0_QIXc

Sunday, Giants were looking for a bounce back, and they got one, against Hull Stingrays at Hull ice rink. They would bounce back with the same score they lost out on in Nottingham on Saturday. A 3-2 win would give giants a good weekend, as they were close to winning Saturdays game and won Sundays so Giants will be happy with the result. Highlights of Sunday here:

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Fife have close but impressive game against clan...

Fife flyers had a brilliant game on Saturday beating Braehead clan in a really close game, which saw Fife win 2-1. A scoreless first period would see Andy Contois open the scoring early on in period two. Brahead would get back on level terms later though. Ash Goldie would tie it at one to put a tight game on in the third. Fife would run away with it in period three. Nine minutes into the third, Fife would score the game winning goal to secure what was a brilliant night at the Fife ice arena. This goal came via Rok Paijic. 

Also, last nigh(Tuesday)t marked a very special night in Fife as it was their 75th anniversary game. Legends form the past would return to play a game against the current Fife team. Its been a roller coaster ride over the years with many heartbreaks and success. Long may it continue! On Friday, we will have a special post as we review the history of Britain's oldest ice hockey club!

EIHL table after this weekend

Pos	ELITE	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	PTS
1	Dundee	7	5	2	0	0	10
2	Belfast	6	4	2	0	0	8
3	Nottingham	5	4	1	0	0	8
4	Coventry	5	4	1	0	0	8
5	Braehead	4	2	2	0	0	4
6	Sheffield	3	1	1	0	1	3
7	Edinburgh	4	1	3	0	0	2
8	Cardiff	4	1	3	0	0	2
9	Hull	4	1	3	0	0	2
10	Fife	4	0	2	0	2	2

Things are starting to shape up now and with Braehead and Nottingham climbing up the table, this battles growing rapidly. But STILL Dundee won't let the top spot go! 

Posted by Rhys Williams.