Edinburgh Capitals beat Coventry Blaze in post-overtime penalty shoot-out.
After securing the win in Fife the previous night, the Edinburgh Capitals were on course to take only their second set of back-to-back wins this season, but had to take Coventry to a penalty shoot-out after a non-scoring overtime period. This match also seemed to be particularly niggley, with Coventry barely able to field a full team on the ice at any one time.
The first period looked very good for the Capitals, having many more shots on goal than the Blaze and defending well when possession was reversed. But it was not to be until the 11th minute before 17, Richard Hartmann (assists – 36, 11) opened the scoring, firing in a shot which the Coventry keeper couldn’t stop. Five minutes later, after a series of near misses, it was 29, Martin Cingel’s (assists – 24, 41) turn to find the back of the net from just outside the ‘D’. The onslaught continued, but it was Coventry who next netted the puck to pull a goal back. With the period having less than a minute to play, the Capitals appeared to take their foot off the gas and this gave 27, Kevin Harvey (assists – 44, 11) the chance to shoot in from out on the left. The period ended with the Capitals in the lead 2-1, and the home fans looking a bit perplexed as to why they couldn’t take full advantage of Coventry’s penalty situation.
The second period started well for Coventry when 11, Shea Guthrie (assist – 1) broke through two tackling players to net with a one-on-one with the Edinburgh ‘keeper after just over two minutes of play. The rest of the period was evenly matched, with both teams having periods of possession, but neither able to score further and the period petered out with the score at 2-2.
The third period was to be another where the Edinburgh supporters were treated to the sight of the puck flying in from all angles, only to zip past the goal or be stopped by the Coventry keeper. Or, at least, they were after the second minute when 24, Jan Safar (assists – 41, 97) found the goal for Edinburgh’s third. Again, Coventry suffered from the referee’s rulings, with a series of penalties and, again, Edinburgh couldn’t take advantage. And it was Coventry who scored the equaliser in the fifteenth minute. Taking advantage of a rare period of five ‘outfield’ players, the visitors piled on the pressure, which paid off when 41, Ryan Ginand (assists – 11, 21) fired in from right-hand end zone face-off circle and under the Edinburgh ‘keeper to draw the sides level once again.
The match ended on 3-3, and went to an overtime period, which also proved to be scoreless, so the dreaded penalty shoot-out was on. Each team had six attempts – three players, two attempts – before ‘sudden death’ attempts, and Edinburgh scored with two of their’s, from 36, Jade Portwood, against Coventry’s one from 41, Ginand.
This must have been a very frustrating match for the home fans to endure, with Coventry behind on every count, apart from penalties, and still managing to be level at full time. Indeed, Coventry saw 17 penalty periods – including three 10 minute ones – but Edinburgh could only take advantage of three of the numerous Powerplays to net their three goals. Still, a win’s a win and this weekend saw them off the bottom of the league table, with ten wins to Fife’s nine, for the first time this season. Maybe it won’t be the last.
Photos from the match will be uploaded to here within the next couple of days
