THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT SEASON
It's been a long time since I last had a hockey-free Sunday, but today sees the start of the long wait for the new season in September. Way back in last September I was able to write on here with the usual sense of bouyant optimism that's only possible before reality sets in. Where I said that Caps fans weren't a demanding bunch and outlining our very low-level ambitions....
"If we could qualify for the knockout stages of the cup; if we could finish in the top eight of the league and have a chance to make it to the Playoffs; and, most importantly, if we can beat old rival Fife Flyers then we'll consider that a successful season."
That was followed by a post in November when the guys achieved the first of those three aims, in dramatic fashioned against the aforementioned Fifers. The optimism was still strong within us. But Caps can always find a way of confounding expectations.
A series of injuries in December, most notably to our star netminder, saw Edinburgh freefall down the league standings. From looking a comfortable seventh we soon found ourselves back in familiar position at the arse end of the table. We still put in a lot of strong performances, but ten minutes of brain fade here and there meant wins couldn't be had. Caps got some form back after New Year, and stayed in (arithmetic) contention for a playoffs spot until three weekends from the end of the season, but faded at the very end to a slightly distant last place. But hey, only eight points adrift of ninth. That might not sound good to you, but it's a huge improvement on last year!
So that was aim number two put out to grass. And, obviously, we didn't finish above the rivals from over the water. But we can still claim some successes. That game in November meant we qualified for the knockout stage of the cup and they didn't. And in ten meetings the results turned out even, with five wins apiece. Three of our five came in Kirkcaldy, a barn where we hardly ever get a result, so that was a big plus too (if we ignore the fact we lost to them three times at home as well). The Flyers looked like a very ordinary team at times, only having the best nettie in the league gave them the position they achieved.
There were other big positives as well, at least compared to last year. None of the players we began the season with had left by the end, none had suffered season-ending injuries. They could be hugely entertaining at times, with a greater depth of attacking options than we were used to. So it's ironic that having a star defenceman as coach did nothing to improve the record when it came to giving away soft goals. But there were plenty of guys in the lineup we'd be delighted to see returning for 2017-18, even if there's disagreement among fans as to who they should be. Most notably our captain, Jacob Johnston, who seems to have divided opinion more than any other. For the record, I'd be one of those who'd love to see him back in a Caps jersey and thought him one of the outstanding players on the squad.
The club itself felt as though it had moved forward in other ways too, especially in communications. As fans we were kept better informed than before, and that was a huge plus in making supporters feel more involved. Credit to Mr Gent. There were a lot of efforts put into attracting new supporters, and numbers did increase, albeit to nothing like the levels needed to help the team become truly competitive. There's still plenty of space to fill in the Fridge of Dreams. Ice hockey remains one of this city's great undiscovered pleasures. It's a shame, for the fans we do have are (in my wholly unbiased opinion) the best in the league. Loud, enthusiastic, we'll keep shouting win or lose, don't fade away when the results aren't going so well, and will stay behind to cheer our team off the ice. We may be small in number but atmosphere there is aplenty. (Never more so than in the comeback against Fife in THAT match in November, still my favourite memory of the season.)
I finished off my spectating season taking in a match featuring the 'baby' Caps who play in the Scottish league, and last weekend in Nottingham watching the semis and final of the EIHL playoffs. No Caps, but plenty to cheer about, an interesting fans forum where we could ask questions of some of the team owners who dictate the shape of the league, and, in the final, one of the greatest hockey matches you might ever see. Definitely worth a watch if you can spare the time (it does go on a bit....). You can see it here until 8 May.
Now it's time for speculation and, eventually, signings, as summer passes on. There are doubts about the future, rumours that Caps (along with Fife and Dundee) might leave the EIHL and join another league, rumours that our coach could be A, or B, or C, or .... Time will pass, the waters will clear and one day we'll know what's happening. But as long as there's a decent standard of hockey to watch in Murrayfield then I'll be there, back in my seat and ready to shout. My name is Blyth and I'm a Capsaholic.
