Big Match Preview - Edinburgh (Home)

Before Saturday night in Nottingham, Steelers face the Edinburgh Capitals in the old en-suite bathroom that is officially known as Ice Sheffield. Capitals have embarrassed us before there, when we were under the tutelage of a certain Ryan Finnerty. The visitors are now under rookie player-coach Riley Emmerson and can't be taken too lightly.

We are sure that Paul will have the troops firmly focused against complacency, after all everyone will be expecting us to win. It's also Jason Hewitt's record breaking night of 627 (more to come we are sure) all time appearances which is a record we doubt will be ever surpassed once Jason hangs up the skates. In addition, Jeff Legue needs one more goal for 250 Sheffield Steelers Elite League goals, that's some achievement too.

Last Meeting: The last encounter between the sides was ironically at Ice Sheffield. We won that one 5-3, and this goes to show that the Capitals cannot be discounted easily. Dennis Rix was outstanding for them and caused us many many problems, scoring twice. If the Emmerson side plays with the same determination, Wednesday could be a case of playing a patient game and hoping the visitors tire after a long bus journey so we can pull away.

Links Between The Sides: Not many Capitals players off the top of my head here, unlike some teams which I can pick loads. Edinburgh have produced players like "Sir" Tony Hand whose name just speaks volumes throughout British Ice Hockey, current GM and owner Scott Neil plus not many think of Chris "The General" Kelland whose number 21 shirt is proudly retired by the Capitals. I'm counting the Murrayfield Racers and Edinburgh Capitals as one.

Chris Kelland: Played for both, and Nottingham too..

Overall Record: Purely speaking of Edinburgh here in the overall record. Tomorrow night's game is the 73rd encounter between the two teams. Steelers have an excellent record with 51 wins in those games, and the Capitals posting a paltry 19. 3 games have been tied. One of the 51 wins is as you know the 18-1 drubbing inflicted in the Arena in 2011 where we scored six times in each period; Tom Squires got a hat-trick and I (Mark) won the 50/50 that evening where the prize was a life changing 300 quid. Shows how things have changed!

The Players To Watch: Chris Lawrence (Steelers) - I remain convinced that this guy has a point to prove after a short and unsuccessful spell in Coventry. If he plays like we know he can, and we were on the receiving end of it last season once he really got going, this short term deal will be a success. Lawrence has the ability, he just sometimes takes time to get his ice wheels moving. We shall see what happens.

Carsen Chubak (Capitals) - Capitals will rely a lot on this guy on Wednesday night, that's a given. When Riley Emmerson wanted a stud of a goalie to replace Tomas Hiadlovsky who joined Basingstoke in the EPL, he picked up Chubak. Chubak is a decent netminder that there is no doubts, he proved how good he was with Belfast and Emmerson will noted that. We could quite easily fire at least 50 plus on him tomorrow, how does those in front of him is the question? If he frustrates us, Capitals will believe they have a chance.

Prediction: Games between us are difficult and this will be no exception. It will be patient and at times also frustrating, and we can avoid it getting to us that then we will be alright. I'm going for us to triumph 4-2 with the all important fourth goal hitting an empty net. See what happens..

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