Edinburgh Capitals last night lifted the Northern League trophy after an emphatic 9-5 victory over Kilmarnock Thunder.
The Northern League format consisted of 4 teams, Capitals, Kirkcaldy Kestrels, Kilmarnock Thunder and Blackburn Hawks (NIHL 1). All teams faced each other home and away in the short league series over the last 6 months.
The Caps won 5 and lost only 1 game to claim the crown. Last night the Caps needed only 1 point to seal the trophy and what a game we witnessed here at Murrayfield.
An early Joe Lynch goal set us on our way before Kilmarnock responded and scored two goals to take a 1-2 lead. Just as the period ended Sean Cochrane drew us level with a SH marker.
The second period saw the Caps take a 5-2 lead with goals from captain Joel Gautschi and a double from Chad Smith. We looked to have control of the game but the visitors had other ideas and in a 5.30 minute spell at the remainder of the period they scored 3 goals to draw level at 5-5.
Some harsh words in the locker room saw the Caps come out firing on all cylinders and take the game to the Thunder. With 12 minutes left, James Isaacs broke up the ice and scored an unbelievable wraparound goal to send the fans wild.
Xander Wardlaw then got in on the act with a back door tap-in to make it 7-5. Ross Borwick was next to light the lamp before Sean Cochrane scored his second and the team’s 9th of the night. The win was sealed and with the final seconds ticking away the home fans saluted their team as the final buzzer went.
Joel Gautschi was presented with the Northern League trophy and hopefully, more will follow with 3 major trophies still up for grabs.
There were some great performances in the Northern League campaign. A win in Blackburn with 10 regular players missing was a huge result and showed the depth this roster has this season.
LET’S GO CAPITALS 🏆
