Edinburgh Capitals’ Player/Coach Riley Emmerson says his players knew what they were coming to – after a second shock exit in a matter of days.

David Rutherford signed for Belfast Giants on Saturday, just days after top scorer Ryan Hayes defected to Sheffield Steelers leaving them shorthanded by three imports.

While Emmerson accepts that players may find things different in Edinburgh, he had hoped they would at least see out the season.

He said: “Losing the players we have has been tough, especially when we had such high hopes in November after getting some great wins.

“I think it’s a point where guys aren’t used to the way Edinburgh is run. It’s an old building we play in and the dressing room has maybe seen better days.

“But every player I brought in, I told them what they were coming to. I even managed to change the way our owner Scott Neil is to get him to put more into the club and he has.

“I can accept it can be a culture for guys coming here, but they were made aware of it and perhaps view it as a stepping stone to get better.

“We did that with Ryan and David, although they decided they didn’t want to see out the year and moved on as soon as they could.”

The Capitals lost 7-6 to Manchester Storm in their only game of the weekend on Saturday, but made a valiant comeback after being 5-1 down after the first period.

Emmerson praised the character of his team in adverse circumstances and says the two departures this week will create openings for others in the team.

He added: “We didn’t quit after the first period and as a coach,that’s always good to see so you have to praise the character we showed.

“We knew it would be a tough game, with three imports down, but we stuck with it and while it wasn’t a win, it showed we cared.

“Losing Ryan and David will open doors for other players in our team and we saw Trevor Gerling score a hat-trick, while Paul Zanette pick up six points in the game for example.

“Hopefully we can get some good players in this week and get them ready to go as soon as we can.

“We’re only six points away from a play-off place and we’re far from out of it yet.”

(Image permission: Edinburgh Capitals)