Ice Hockey: Senko leaves Capitals to join Telford

With the Capitals’ recent signing of Canadian Brent Patry bringing the total number of imports on the books of the Murrayfield club to 12 – one over the league on-ice limit of 11 – Edinburgh had hoped to hold on to the Slovakian initially signed in September on a  two-week trial contract, at least until Canadian Jade Portwood had recovered from a groin  injury.

Team owner Scott Neil  revealed, however, that he could not stand in Senko’s way after Telford offered him a permanent  contract.

Neil said: “We did not  want this, but in all likelihood we would have faced a  difficult decision further down the road.

“When Juraj came to us with the news he had been offered a contract guaranteeing him hockey until the end of the season, it was the right thing to do to let him go.

“We’re still exploring several avenues as to how we can further strengthen the team.

“This is a huge month for us as we aim to force ourselves back into contention for the end of season play-offs.”

Senko’s departure has not made it any easier for  Edinburgh in Nottingham  tonight, where they suffered an embarrassing 10-0 defeat earlier in the season. Panthers, however, will be without NHL star Anthony Stewart after his short-term lockout deal expired last week.