Ice hockey – Dillon on board for the season

Edinburgh Capitals have confirmed that Canadian forward Dillon Lawrence has earned a spot on the roster for the season after a trial.

Dillon said: “I felt better each game that I played and I will continue to improve as the season progresses.

He may be available to ice this weekend in games against Dundee and Braehead Clan if his paper work is completed.

Meanwhile, Riley Stadel knows what to expect when Edinburgh visit Tayside on Saturday (7pm).

And Dundee Stars’ rookie defenceman is determined to help the injury-hit Tayside club come out on top.

The club’s last met in the third and fourth place play-off in the Scottish Elite Cup when Capitals won 3-0.

And both squads come into the game following defeats. Stars lost 8-2 at new league pace-setters Sheffield Steelers in midweek.

Capitals lost 6-5 at home to Belfast Giants and 5-2 at Fife Flyers last weekend.

Stadel is a long way from home in Surrey, British Columbia, but was determined to play professional hockey this season and he’s excited by the standards in the Elite League.

The 5ft 10in has not been in touch with his friend, Belfast Giants netminder, Jackson Whistle, to get the low-down on Edinburgh.

He said: “We’ve played them this season and know what to expect in the game. They have some quality players so it will be tough.”

Stars ice without experienced forward Chris Lawrence, who will have surgery on a knee injury and is likely out until Christmas, and Anthony Mastrodicasa suffered an upper body injury in Tuesday’s defeat.

Stadel said: “The guys know we have to step-up to cover.”

Elsewhere, Ryan Dingle returns to Fife Flyers on Saturday (7.15pm) with his new club Coventry Blaze having made the switch there in the summer.

The Canadian forward is enjoying working for ex-Flyers favourite Danny Stewart – nicknamed Stewy – in the Midlands.

He also enjoyed his time in Fife but desperately wants to find the net at Kirkcaldy to add to his total of one goal and one assist in four outings for Blaze.

Dingle said: “When you sign with a different team in the same league one of the first things you do is check the schedule to see when your first return will be.

“I’ve had 23 September in the back of my mind for a while. I really enjoyed my time in Fife and I will always remember the great times.”

Braehead Clan head coach John Tripp wants a win on the board as they continue their travels.

The Glasgow side visit Nottingham Panthers on Saturday (7pm) and Edinburgh on Sunday (6pm).

Clan have suffered back-to-back league defeats at Milton Keynes Lightning and Coventry Blaze.

Tripp said: “We’ve got a difficult road game against Nottingham who are one of the top teams in the league.

“We need to work together as team, do our individual roles, don’t slack and we’ll come away with results.”