Winless Caps gain nothing but pride after displaying more grit and competitiveness

EDINBURGH Capitals’ long-suffering fans witnessed a spirited display by their favourites at the weekend, but their team remained winless and prop up the Challenge Cup Group A table.

They have now lost five straight games, shipping 28 goals and scoring six.

What’s more, last night Braehead Clan’s fans outnumbered Capitals supporters two-to-one as local supporters stay away.

Clan dominated the early stages in Edinburgh last night and were rewarded when Tim Wedderburn netted in the sixth minute. Capitals replied seven minutes later when Rene Jarolin took advantage of slack defence to calmly slide the puck home, and the Caps were unlucky not to be go into the break ahead when Bari McKenzie hit the post with Clan goaltender Jaakko Suomalainen beaten 56 seconds from the end of the session.

Clan went 2-1 ahead seven minutes into the middle period through Matt Haywood who pounced after a Capitals defensive mistake. Clan skipper Jordan Krestanovich made it 3-1 with 40 seconds remaining of the middle period despite the West of Scotland side being under penalty. Marcis Zembergs gave Capitals hope with a goal less than eight minutes from time but Brock McPherson made sure with a fourth two minutes later.

Fife had to come from behind on Saturday to celebrate their first win since moving into the Elite League as Jarolin fired Caps ahead in the 14th minute. Fife levelled short-handed as Mike Hamilton hit the net two minutes later.

Capitals had the momentum when Peter Holecko shot them 2-1 ahead on the powerplay with less than 12 minutes left but the visitors then hit penalty trouble.

Flyers scored twice through Matt Cohen in the 54th and Matt Siddall in the 55th minutes to stun Capitals who outshot the Fife side 39-16.