Edinburgh Capitals hit for three by Fife Flyers

Edinburgh Capitals were defeated in their only game of the weekend, going down 3-0 to Fife Flyers at Murrayfield last night.

A tripping penalty to Edinburgh’s Mike Cazzola in the opening seconds set the tone for what was a bizarre opening period that saw 30 shots on target and 45 penalty minutes, including a five-plus game for Flyers’ Danick Gauthier following a check to the head of Capitals’ Ainars Podzins.

In truth it was a flat affair, Edinburgh with not enough quality to make the most of their opportunities against a tired Fife side, who were playing their third game in as many days.

The hosts came more into the game as the first period progressed and Patrik Moisio was denied by a great sprawling save from Fife goalkeeper Andy Iles.

Gauthier was thrown out the game after 15 minutes following his dangerous high hit on Podzins, who took a sore one but did return to the ice for the remainder of the game.

To open the second period, Edinburgh did well to kill off a five-on-three power-play, and on a power-play of their own, player coach Michael D’Orazio looked to have opened the scoring with a low slap-shot, but the goal was chopped off following a video review that showed the net had been knocked off its moorings before the puck had crossed the line.

Caps enjoyed a great spell, and in between a Denis Trakhanov effort that looked to come off both posts, momentum was killed on several occasions by Iles who took advantage of dislodging the nets at every chance possible in an attempt to halt the play.

Flyers broke up ice to score through Shayne Stockton in the 32nd minute before Liam Heelis doubled the visitors’ advantage five minutes later. Heelis grabbed his second of the night with ten minutes remaining to seal the win.