Ice hockey – Capitals hit by Storm as play-off dream stutters

Elite League: Edinburgh Capitals 4, Manchester Storm 6

Edinburgh Capitals lost ground in their bid to quality for the end-of-season play-offs.

Michal Dobron’s men lost 6-4 at home to Manchester Storm, a side they edged 2-1 last Sunday also at Murrayfield.

Jack Prince netted a hat-trick and Mark Heatley a double. Taylor MacDougall scored twice for the home side.

Capitals led 1-0 after the opening session through MacDougall’s goal after three minutes.

Prince levelled after 22 minutes before Capitals surged 3-1 ahead with goals from Jacob Johnston after 25 minutes and Mason Wilgosh two minutes later.

Manchester replied with two goals, one from Prince just over a minute later and another from ex-Dundee Stars defenceman Paul Swindlehurst 64 seconds after that.

Edinburgh went ahead again through MacDougall four minutes later as a crazy second period unfolded but Storm claimed three unanswered goals to take the points back to the North West.

Heatley levelled 29 seconds after MacDougall’s fourth and Prince struck his third three minutes later.

And Heatley scored on an empty net with 42 seconds remaining after Capitals had withdrawn their netminder to provide an extra skater.