One look at the standings will tell you that Coventry are now champions and the Giants are in a uninteresting battle for 3rd and 4th place with Nottingham. However if you cast your eyes further down you may be surprised to see the Edinburgh Capitals in 6th place. Its been quite a turn around for the team that for a long time in the season occupied the last place spot in the league. For so long it seemed Basingstoke were a lock for the 6th place spot but a new found team spirit in Edinburgh has turned the fortunes around and the Scottish team look on pace to claim a playoff spot.

Is this due to a collapse in Basingstoke or a find of form that should make all teams sit up and take note in Edinburgh?

Well, a bit of both.

Edinburgh beat Coventry lately, they are playing good hockey and are finding form that will see them finish 8th and face Coventry in the opening round of the playoffs. Coventry will be heavy favourites over two legs but we’ve seen upsets many times and over two games anything can happen. Especially for a producing team like Edinburgh that know how to beat Coventry.

Basingstoke has fallen apart lately. They seemed sure to finish 6th at least. In fact in the pre-season I had them tipped to do even better and maybe even challenge. Unfortunately off ice problems contributed to their downfall as they off loaded salary in Stevie Lyle and Pete Campbell to Belfast and slowly lost form. It’ll be a huge disappointment for a team expecting more and for players like Brad Cruickshank who really wanted a playoff run, if they are to end up missing the playoffs.

It’ll be interesting to watch and it’s the only significant race now that Coventry have wrapped up the title.

Category: Elite League » » Edinburgh Capitals, Playoffs |

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