HOT-STOP Cody Rudkowsky loved every minute of Edinburgh Capitals' ice hockey joust with Toronto Marlies but declared: "Showbiz is over, now it's back to the bread and butter."
The experienced goaltender and his team-mates head for a crucial Elite League clash at Hull Stingrays tomorrow and then move on to the 20-20 tournament at Sheffield on Sunday.
But it is the Hull fixture which is receiving the full focus and there
will be no complacency despite the 9-2 road win in Yorkshire in Capitals' opening game of the league season.
Red-hot Rudkowsky has been around the block a few times and knows that Stingrays will be smarting from that reverse against a team which is likely to be in their section of the league throughout the season.
Both teams go into the potentially crucial contest on the back of crushing Challenge Cup home defeats. Hull lost 4-2 to in-form Nottingham Panthers while Capitals crashed 6-2 at Murrayfield to Belfast Giants on Sunday, a particularly disappointing loss following Saturday's barnstorming show against Toronto Marlies in The Gardiner Cup semi-final.
The 31-year-old netminder, who is getting back into the groove after more than a year out, said: "Last weekend's tournament was great as there was no real pressure on us against Toronto. Sunday was a disappointing result against Belfast, but we're on a learning curve.
"We're getting together as a team. That takes time but our guys have seen what it takes to be in there with the best. Both teams, Marlies and Bulldogs, are very professional with fine players.
"Some of their guys want to step up to the NHL and it was a great experience for our players to be on the ice with them. It showed them that you must concentrate for the whole time and that guys of that calibre have a great amount of skill."
Rudkowsky had to deal with 49 shots while his opposite number, Beau Erickson, received 13 and the goaltender, who played for NHL outfit St Louis Blues in season 2002-03, said: "I had a lot of shots to deal with but it is easier to stay focused when you are involved with the game all the time.
"However, last weekend was all about the fans, giving them a chance to see some excellent hockey. The crowds were good and we had two home games which was great. We needed the games to continue learning about each other as a team and everybody has benefited from it. However, it was a really good tournament for the club, the guys and myself."
Rudkowsky, who last played competitive hockey for Cincinnati Cyclones in the 2007-08 season, added: "I've not seen that type of action for 18 months and it's great to play against good players. I felt good, which is great. Now the glamour has gone and it is back to the bread and butter of the league.
"Hull are one of the clubs who have been around us in the league in recent seasons and we go there having won 9-2 on our last visit.
"They won't have liked that and will be really up for the game. We've had a week to work on things before going in there and we're ready."
Certainly, Capitals will have to lift their game from Sunday's depressing show against Belfast.
Doug Christiansen, Capitals' director of hockey, admitted his disappointment as fans left the rink shaking their heads. Saturday's uplifting performance against Marlies was washed away by Sunday's shocker and the expressions on the players' faces spoke volumes.
Christiansen is not concerned about the team's work ethic, but he will have to lift his squad for the Hull game. It is vital to put points on the board now when the team is at full strength. Down the line, injury and suspensions will kick in and Capitals' thin squad could be cruelly exposed.
Christiansen, who smashed his knee at Hull, is battling with Scott Neil, Capitals' owner, for more cash to fund a temporary replacement to tide the team over until he gets back on to the ice. A strong roster is imperative if Capitals want to remain competitive.
Fans are delighted with Christiansen's close-season recruitment which has brought quicksilver Simon Lambert, impressive Chris Allen, razor-sharp Owen Fussey, steady Michael Beynon, hard-working Mark Smith and Darius Pliskauskaus to the Riversdale rink.
These players add quality to the team and success-starved supporters believe Capitals can now compete with the best. Proof of that was the recent gutsy comeback from 3-1 down to claim a home point from early pace-setters Nottingham Panthers.
Tomorrow is vital. A second road win at Hull would depress the Humberside men and give Capitals a big lift ahead of a break from league action to fit in three Challenge Cup games.
