The Capitals finally ended a dismal run of 10 straight home defeats with superb victory over reigning league champions Nottingham Panthers at Murrayfield last night, but after going four-nil up midway through the second period and seemingly coasting, the Caps had their fans on the edge of their seats before finally securing the win after overtime.
Nottingham brought a large contingent of fans for their second match in Scotland in two days, having lost to Fife Flyers in Saturday, and they were in confident mood but it was the Edinburgh side that grabbed an early lead when Tomas Horna fired home at 3.52 following an assist from Curtis Leinweber, to the delight of the home supporters.
Horna was then ordered to the penalty bench at 15.29 and was followed by Marcis Zembergs at 18.08 for hooking, but the Capitals held firm and ended the first period in front.
The Capitals then doubled their lead with a fine strike from Marcis Zembergs at 21.28 following a double assist from Martin Cingel and Jade Portwood before the Panthers had the puck in the net only to see the ‘goal’ ruled out.
Nottingham were down to four men when  Zembergs scored his second at 31.22 following assists from Michal Benadik and Marc Fowley then then Curtis Leinweber added a fourth on the powerplay at 32.07 with assists from Tomas Horna and Daniel McIntyre.
The visitors pulled one back as Tom Norton opened their account at 35.19, then McIntyre was binned for tripping at 36.19.
With the Caps down to four men, Nottingham added a second from Joe Jenson on the powerplay at 36.19 but Peter Holecko restored the three goal advantage at 38.54 with assists from Curtis Leinweber and Richard Hartmann and the second period ended with the Caps 5-2 in front and seemingly coasting.
Backed by an enthusiastic travelling support however, the Panthers fought back and levelled the scoring at 5-5 following three goals in six minutes.
A double from Jonathan Boxill at 44.22 and 49.19 followed by a powerplay goal from Chris Murray at 50.14silenced the Caps’ fans and set up an exciting finish.
Once again Curtis Leinweber put the Scots ahead at 54.13 with assists from Jan Safar and Jade Portwood but Nottingham responded immediately through Jonathon Weaver at 54.38. This was the Nottingham player’s 500th career point in all competitions.
Both sides had chances to win the game but when the whistle blew to signal the end of the third period, the scores were tied at 6-6.
The game then went into overtime and at 61.44, the Capitals were awarded a penalty shot which Jade Portwood calmly slotted home to give the hosts the much deserved win.
Both sides left the rink to a standing ovation from the breathless spectators as a thank you for a fantastic night’s entertainment.
The Capitals host Belfast Giants next Saturday night at Murrayfield.
Photographs by John Preece http://www.jlp-photography.co.uk/Sports-201314
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
