Last weekend, we played two very tough games. Both nights were one goal games and the fans saw two fast paced games. In my opinion, Sheffield has the fastest team in the league and their worked our players very hard. I thought J.F. Perras was fantastic both nights and kept us in Sunday's game, almost by himself.
This weekend we play the hottest team in the league, the Belfast Giants. The Giants are surging and are definitely a team to be reckoned with. They are healthy and on a mission to knock off Coventry from atop the table. We will have to play our best hockey against them. Last time we played them, it was a 1 goal defeat in Belfast. I am looking forward to having Colin Hemingway back in the line-up to give us that extra push to defeat the Giants.
The Bison 10, as they are starting to be called, come to Edinburgh on Sunday. It should not take much to get the players excited for this game. The Basingstoke Bison have handed us our two most frustrating loses of the season. It is time to change that. Our playoff hopes are directly tied to how we play against them. We need inspired performances from everyone.
Dino Bauba saw a specialist on Monday and is expected to get an injection this week to determine when he will return to the ice. Needless to say, it has been frustrating for all of us who care about the Capitals to have a player out for as long as he has been out. Dino is my teammate. He wants to play. He is getting treatment. It is unethical to de-register a player when they are hurt. However, his recovery has taken longer than any of us hoped. It is my job to make sure that we are informed of any players that became available during the time of his absence.
Our organization is not like Coventry or Nottingham. We do not have the resources many of the other teams in our league have. When we spend money, we must always get value. In order to increase our budget, we need to build our fan base. We need to build our corporate sponsorship. There are many things that we can do as an organization to improve the match night experience and our relationship with the fans. Scott Neil and myself have worked hard this season to improve the team both on and off the ice. Since December 1st this team has played much better. We are playing this season to construct a foundation from which we can build in future years.
In order to build a better club, we must improve our product. Play-offs are still a very realistic goal, as is 9th place. We need to show you, our fans, that we are committed to improving the club. We are one win shy of tying last seasons total for the year. We have advanced in the Knock-out Cup. We came within one game of advancing in the Challenge Cup. The next two months are not just important for this season. It is important for us identifying how we want to develop as an organization.
Almost every team in the league, has most if not all of their players sponsored by either corporations or fans themselves. This added money allows them to field a better team and have a better match night experience. In order to be a contender in the league, we are going to have to make our fans and corporations in Edinburgh get behind us. A prime example, is Ben O'Connor. Had the Castle Arms not gotten involved with the club and aided us in our attempt to sign him, he would not be a Capital. Likewise is true with Fight Strap Hockey. Had they not helped us sign Mike Stutzel, he would not be with us. This is one of the ways our club can improve itself dramatically. This organization, just like all others, can always improve in the area of sponsorship. All our sponsors are vital to our success. Futurity Partnership and P.J. Green have been extremely supportive this season. One area that we lag behind much of the league is player sponsorship. It was in this area, that my conversation post game with Nigel Duncan was regarding.
Currently, I am looking to see if there are players available that can help us, if Dino cannot return. The reason I mentioned to Nigel Duncan that I would love if someone was able to come forward to help, was not because we are going bankrupt or needed to pass the hat. Rather, it was intended to start this conversation. The goal was to make people who enjoy hockey and the Capitals, think about how they can improve our club with us. I am glad we are starting to discuss this. I am hopeful that this conversation will unearth a couple new sponsors.
I have spoken with dozens of fans regarding how we can help make our club better. Some of the ideas have been implemented already this year. We as an organization are working to become more accessible and informative. We are trying to make the fans feel like they are apart of the team.
Sports teams are special. They are not just entertainment, they often are a way of life. A way of uniting people. I, too, am a massive sports fan. I watched my American football team lose in overtime on Sunday night. I was wearing my Green Bay Packer hat, sweatshirt, and golf shirt. I was glued to the tv. I felt like I was apart of the team. I rode the wave of emotion with the players. I shared in the disappointment after the loss. But thats what sports is. It is tying the fan to the team. Making them share in the experience, not just watch it. This is what we want to give our fans. This is what will fill the Murrayfield again.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the Supporters Club Q&A with Scott Neil and myself next Monday night at 7:30 in the Riversdale Suite.
