After last Saturday’s last second winning goal from the Edinburgh Capitals, all eyes will be on the return leg where the Capitals will be heading west to take on Kilmarnock Thunder. 

The Caps are sitting 2nd in the league table on 28 points and Thunder are 7th on 14 points and will be hoping for the home advantage against their visitors. 

Kilmarnock’s Captain, Struan Forbes said, “We are all looking forward to a competitive game this weekend against a team that we’ve had some exciting games with. 

We’ve showed in Edinburgh last weekend what we are capable of, even with such a short bench. We were very unlucky not to come away with any points. 

We had a strong lead, but struggled to hold on with heavy legs. This weekend at our home rink we will look to make amends. The team will be fresh and have plenty of bodies ready to give 100%. We are full of ability, and when it clicks we are capable of beating any team in this league.”

The Aberdeen Lynx will be making the long bus journey down to North Ayr where they take on North Ayrshire Wild. 

The Lynx are sitting just 1 point ahead of the Capitals with two games in hand at the top of the table, but the Aberdeen side will be keen to secure a win against the North Ayrshire Wild and bag the 2 points.

North Ayr have played the Aberdeen side three time already this season and are currently sitting 8th in the league, but they will be mindful that last season they were the team that put Aberdeen out of the Playoffs in the quarter finals. 

The Dundee Comets will be heading to the Fife Ice Arena to take on the Kirkcaldy Kestrels in a Scottish Cup game. Both team’s games from last weekend went to overtime, with the Kestrels clinching the win over the Lynx and the Comets just missing out to the Tigers. 

Sunday sees the Edinburgh Capitals play their second game of the weekend against Paisley Pirates. 

After their postponed game last weekend the Pirates will be hungry to continue their winning streak and clinch their 4th win in a row. Last time these two teams met the Pirates won in a Penalty shootout, but their coach Ian Turley will be under no illusions on how hard this game will be against such as well drilled side. 

We asked Coach Turley what his thoughts were ahead of this weekend’s fixture? He commented, “It’s going to be an absolutely fantastic game. We are sitting in 5th place and the Caps are 2nd, so we are chasing them, we’re hunting them down. 

I think this season there is only one goal in it between us and the Caps, always plenty of action, we’ve played some of our tightest games against them. 

We know what to expect when we go to Murrayfield. It’s a hard place to go and get the win, and that was proven last time we were there and it went to penalty shots.

I think we are better prepared than what we have been as we’ve have played each other three times, but I suppose that goes for the Caps as well. 

We know we can’t let the Caps get involved early in the game. They have proven week in and out, when they go behind they have good resilience and keep coming back. We have to match their output to ensure that if we go ahead it’s difficult for them to come back. 

As I said it’s going to be a great game and I encourage as many people as possible to get there, both home and away fans. We are certainly looking forward to the occasion!”

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday

• Kilmarnock Thunder v Edinburgh Capitals (5.00pm)
• North Ayrshire Wild v Aberdeen Lynx (6.30pm)
• Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Dundee Comets (7.15pm)

Sunday

• Edinburgh Capitals v Paisley Pirates (6pm)