Flyers need empty netter to see off stubborn Capitals

Brendan Brooks celebrates after firing Fife Flyers into the lead against Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday. Pic: Martin Watterston

After the 4-0 defeat in Belfast the previous night, Flyers showed their intent to continue their more physical game of recent weeks starting up with the Schaber, Isaacs and Scoon line.

Capitals had the first real chance hitting the post on a delayed penalty called on Sisca at the four minute mark.

Fox returned the favour rattling the bar minutes later, deflecting a slap pass from Dingle.

Schaber and Dingle both had shorthanded chances as Brooks sat a soft tripping call at 12.30.

As Brooks' penalty expired, Finnuci rang the post and Brooks, who had flown out of the box, was on hand to fire home the rebound and give Flyers a 1-0 lead.

Caps came out strong at the beginning of the second period and had several chances including one which pinged off the post as an under-pressure Flyers failed to clear the zone.

Kyle Haines made an outstanding diving poke check to stop a Caps shorthanded breakaway attempt.

Flyers were unable to capitalise on a 5 on 3 advantage but just as Edinburgh returned to four skaters Thinel found himself alone in the slot and shot home to give Flyers a 2-0 lead at 27:40.

Both Fox and Thinel went close midway through the second period and the Sisca, Brooks and Finnuci line continued to be a thorn in the side of the Caps defence.

The visitors had a number of chances as the second period ran down and with only four seconds remaining, D’Orazio fired from the slot past an unsighted Shane Owen.

Flyers had early third period pressure with Fullarton making some great saves as Brooks, Dingle and Fox all went close, before Jackman on the powerplay faked a pass and bulleted the puck past a helpless netminder to give Flyers a 3-1 advantage at 46:36.

Shorthanded Flyers failed to clear the puck again with Hromas reacting quickest in a scrum around the Flyers net to bring it back to a one goal game.

Edinburgh pulled their netminder and tried to tie up the game but it was Dingle who emerged the victor, scoring an empty net goal with under 90 seconds to play and securing the 4-2 victory.

MOM Flyers – Dingle; Capitals – Milan.