Edinburgh Capitals had a mixed opening weekend in the league after a stunning 9-2 win at Hull Stingrays was followed by a disappointing 4-3 home loss to Nottingham Panthers.

The Capitals got the season off to the best possible start with the resounding victory on Saturday, with both Simon Lambert and Scott McKenzie scoring hat-tricks.

The visitors won all three periods and were only troubled by the Stingrays, who were missing several players to suspension, when the hosts brought the score back to 3-2, before the Capitals scored six unanswered goals.

Preparation for Sunday’s game was hindered with the news of player/coach Doug Christiansen’s serious knee injury and the Capitals were later left devastated by Jade Galbraith’s overtime winner.

The result saw the Panthers reclaim their spot at the top of the league, but they were nearly left with egg on their faces after a spirited Capitals fightback saw them come back from 3-1 down.

The opening period was shared as Galbraith grabbed his first, before Mark Garside levelled for Edinburgh.

Strikes from David Clarke and Bruce Richardson gave the visitors a two-goal cushion, before a double from Owen Fussey took the contest into overtime.