Ice hockey – Nie denies hard-working Capitals

Ryan Nie denies Capitals forwards once again in a stand-out performance for Braehead Clan on Sunday. Picture by Ian Coyle

Elite League: Edinburgh Capitals 1, Braehead Clan 3

Ryan Nie put up the shutters as Braehead Clan completed a four-point weekend.

The highly-rated stopper stayed ice cool despite being under pressure for spells in this entertaining clash.

At the other end, Clan took their chances. Tyler Scofield broke the deadlock against the run of play after 13 minutes.

And two goals in 28 second-period seconds following mistakes in the Murrayfield defence sealed the win.

Experienced Brendan Brooks slotted No 2 after 33min 30sec and Landon Oslanski made it 3-0 after 33min 58sec, both goals almost a carbon copy.

Home fans at last had something to cheer with just over seven minutes remaining when Sergei Banashkov slotted home.

The raised the decibel level in the arena but Capitals failed to add to their total much to the delight of the large travelling support in the crowd of around 800.

Edinburgh had hoped to open their league campaign with a home win but coach Dmitri Khristich has work to do to lift his men who have now lost their last two games in all competitions at home.