With the Capitals

Only the players have a break

Take a breather. That's what the Vienna Capitals' ice hockey cracks can do during the current international break. Sporting director Christian Dolezal, on the other hand, has his hands full. He has to find at least one goalie . . .

Only goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz is on duty with the national ice hockey team at the German Cup. The rest of the Vienna Capitals squad is off until Friday. "Important to clear your head," says sporting director Christian Dolezal.

A year ago at the November break, he had a sobering result as interim head coach. Back then, the Caps were twelfth in the table. Currently, the eighth-placed Kagrans are five points off one of the six fixed play-off places.

Efficiency is one of the main issues. With 454 shots taken, the Caps rank fourth in the league. However, they are last in terms of chance conversion at 7.27 percent. "We try to do better every day. It's often little things. But you can't deny the players' efforts under any circumstances."

Dolezal himself has no time to take a deep breath and is looking for new additions. Efficient strikers are needed, but also defenders. Above all, there is an acute need for action in the goalkeeper position. Parks is still injured and substitute Lindbäck's contract ended on Sunday. That currently leaves only Sebastian Wraneschitz.