DETERMINED David Nimmo has played six games for Edinburgh Capitals since arriving from Canada and he sees tonight's home league clash with rock bottom Basingstoke Bison as an ideal chance to turn the tide.
The cultured ice hockey player also eyes the basement battle as an opportunity to boost his points tally and to snap the club's confidence-sapping run of six defeats which started on October 4 when Nottingham Panthers won 6-1 at the Riversdale rink.
The former University of Alabama-Huntsville player is used to collecting big numbers having scored 41 goals and collected 43 assists in 64 games for Amarillo Gorillas in the Central Hockey League last season.
So far, the 6ft 2in forward has scored a goal and set up two other strikes – and he's not happy.
Capitals have hit the skids but Basingstoke could be on the up having celebrated a 4-1 home win over fellow-strugglers Hull Stingrays on Saturday, ending a run if 12 games without a win.
Hull earned revenge on Sunday with a 4-2 scoreline on Humberside, but Bison's squad are anxious to impress new player/coach Eric Braff. And what better way than to earn back-to-back wins over Edinburgh with the return clash due at Bison on Saturday.
Toronto-born Braff took over the hot seat last Wednesday and will be assisted by Greg Chambers and Jeremy Cornish. The 27-year-old, 6ft 4in coach, in his third season in British hockey, said: "I have told the players this is a new chapter. This season has been very frustrating, but now is the time for a big effort on the ice."
Braff was frustrated at Sunday's result and will no doubt redouble his efforts to win at Murrayfield. He added: "We had chances we didn't convert. There were a few lapses at the back, but that's going to happen as we get used to our new systems."
So, what is the form guide? Edinburgh have six points from 11 games having won two and lost nine, scoring 31 goals and losing 56. Bison have one win from 14 games and have four points. They have scored 34 goals but lost 73, the worst goals-against record in the ten-strong division.
With Hull bracketed with Edinburgh on six points, there is a four-point gap between the bottom three and seventh-placed Cardiff Devils. After that, Newcastle Vipers have 13 points with Sheffield and Coventry next best with 16.
A gap is already forming and Nimmo is determined to bridge it as soon as possible. He said: "Since I've been here we've not won any games. We've been matched up with some big clubs in this league but the problem is we've not played for 60 minutes.
"We've competed for perhaps 20 or 40 minutes, but you can't win hockey games in this league like that."
Nimmo knows what he's up against as he played with several of Bison's squad in Amarillo last season, but he believes Capitals can turn the corner providing they can stop shooting themselves in the foot.
The 26-year-old, who has been playing up front with Capitals' coach Doug Christiansen and home-grown product Neil Hay, said: "In some of the games we've played recently we've been down several goals and you can't afford to do that against strong teams in this league.
"We've got to get out of the traps and take our chances when they come." Braff said much the same about Bison.
Nimmo, who hails from Edmonton, enjoys living in Edinburgh, but life would be sweeter if Capitals could start winning and he was collecting more points.
He added: "I should be getting more points. In fact, I should be logging at least two points a game in this league and scoring more. Tomorrow is a great opportunity to hit the target.
"I know Bison's Matt Miller and Trevor Read from Amarillo and I've spoken to Matt since I got here. It's been good catching up but Tuesday is business and I feel we can take the points.
"If we can then maybe that could start a run for us."
• CAPITALS are offering a special October holiday deal for tonight's match. Up to four children will be allowed in free for every adult ticket bought. Adult tickets cost £14.50 in advance from the online shop or £15 on the door. Prior to face-off, there will be a junior ice hockey game featuring the under-12s and under-14s (face-off 5pm).
