Game notes
-The Excel Hull Stingrays lost the 2nd leg of the Yorkshire Cup 5-2, handing the Steelers the trophy with a 15-6 aggregate victory
-The game was level at 2-2 going into the 3rd period before the Steelers recorded 3 straight goals to take the 5-2 win.
-Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank went down with an, as yet, unknown injury late in the 3rd period. Backup netminder Andrew Jazcyzk made a number of saves before allowing Ryan Finnerty to score near the end.
- Rick Kozak and Jason Kostadine dropped the gloves against Nathan Gillies and Steve Munn respectively.
-Stingrays goalscorers- Kozak, Reynolds.
-Man of the Match- Stingrays- Lee Mitchell, Steelers- ?
-F block blog man of the match- Stingrays-Lee Mitchell, Steelers-Robert Dowd
-Strachan said: "The 15-6 aggregate doesn't tell half the story. We only had two defencemen left on Saturday and unfortunately we were playing a team that was together last year and already had two games under their belts. I thought there were a lot of positive things to come out of the weekend."
Sunday 31 August 2008
Saturday 30 August 2008
Yorkshire Cup 1st Leg: Hull Stingrays 4-10 Sheffield Steelers
Game notes
- The Excel Hull Stingrays lost an entertaining first game of the season 10-4 to the Sheffield Steelers in the first leg of the Yorkshire Cup, with the second leg coming up Sunday night in Sheffield.
- The Stingrays were down just 3-2 in an entertaining first period before injury to Paul Moran and a 5+GM penalty to Pavel Gomenyuk, in the same incident, left the Stingrays with just 2 recognised defencemen (Kerr and Bernier)
- Stingrays goalscorers: Rick Kozak x2, Matt Reynolds, Jason Kostadine.
- Paul Moran went to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder, expected to keep him out for at least 2 weeks.
- Man of the Match- Steelers-Joey Talbot. Stingrays-Rick Kozak
- F Block Blog man of the Match- Steelers-Ryan Finnerty, Stingrays-Jason Kostadine.
- Strach said: "When you lose two defencemen in the first period and you only start with four in the first place, you are always going to be in trouble. It was the turning point because we then had forwards playing as defencemen. As the game went on you could see the guys were exhausted but, no excuses, Sheffield kicked our backsides and exploited our weaknesses when we lost our guys."
- The Excel Hull Stingrays lost an entertaining first game of the season 10-4 to the Sheffield Steelers in the first leg of the Yorkshire Cup, with the second leg coming up Sunday night in Sheffield.
- The Stingrays were down just 3-2 in an entertaining first period before injury to Paul Moran and a 5+GM penalty to Pavel Gomenyuk, in the same incident, left the Stingrays with just 2 recognised defencemen (Kerr and Bernier)
- Stingrays goalscorers: Rick Kozak x2, Matt Reynolds, Jason Kostadine.
- Paul Moran went to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder, expected to keep him out for at least 2 weeks.
- Man of the Match- Steelers-Joey Talbot. Stingrays-Rick Kozak
- F Block Blog man of the Match- Steelers-Ryan Finnerty, Stingrays-Jason Kostadine.
- Strach said: "When you lose two defencemen in the first period and you only start with four in the first place, you are always going to be in trouble. It was the turning point because we then had forwards playing as defencemen. As the game went on you could see the guys were exhausted but, no excuses, Sheffield kicked our backsides and exploited our weaknesses when we lost our guys."
Friday 29 August 2008
Stingrays v Steelers, Yorkshire Cup Weekend Preview 30th/31st August
Saturday 30th August: Excel Hull Stingrays v Sheffield Steelers @ Hull Arena, f/o 5.30pm
Sunday 31st August: Sheffield Steelers v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Sheffield Arena, f/o 6.00pm
Key players
Sheffield- Joey Talbot- The former Alaska Aces star was a Stingray killer in games between the Rays and Steelers last season, as Talbot went on to record a career high season in goals (39), assists (36) and points (75). A huge part of the Steelers playoff success last season, it is hoped that he can replicate that form and help the Steelers to yet more success.
Stingrays- Rick Kozak- Kozak is the most anticipated Stingray signing this off-season, and one of the biggest signings in the clubs history. Drafted in the 3rd round of the NHL draft just 5 years ago, before being traded for Vladimir Malakhov to New York in 04, Kozak had (and may still have) NHL pedigree. Someone in New York obviously believed that, as the Rangers had him signed to a 3 year, 2 way NHL contract which ended last year. He never made it to the NHL but it is clear his speed, aggressive drives to the net and willingness to fight for the cause will get him noticed as one of the best power forwards in the EIHL today. He will play a key role in this weekends games, especially if he wants to make an early impact on the league.
Head to head EIHL record
Games: 15
Stingray wins: 2
Stingray goals: 19
Steeler wins: 13
Steeler goals: 64Sunday 31st August: Sheffield Steelers v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Sheffield Arena, f/o 6.00pm
The first game of a brand new EIHL season. A new slate. A new start. For the Stingrays new contingent, of which there are 13, a chance to get off to a good start and make an early impression on their new fans. For Jonathan Bernier, a chance to give his pre-season fight training a test against one Andrew Sharpe. For the Steelers, a chance to build on their playoff success of last season.
The Yorkshire Cup returns for its third airing, with the series currently sitting at 1-1 and with the Steelers as the current holders. The Stingrays will be looking to win back the trophy which in 2006 became the clubs only ever piece of silverware, whilst the Steelers will be looking for a second consecutive victory after royally thrashing the Stingrays over two legs last year, 9-2 on aggregate.
The competition gives the Rays a chance to brush away the cobwebs of summer after a week of interrupted training, the Steelers enter the games after two weeks training and on the back of a 10-3 aggregate loss against German Bundesliga side Bietigheim Steelers in the LUK Cup.
After a long summer, hockey is back with a bang in Hull as the Rays look to bed in their new bigger, tougher, stronger squad against the 07 Playoff Champion Sheffield Steelers.
The Yorkshire Cup returns for its third airing, with the series currently sitting at 1-1 and with the Steelers as the current holders. The Stingrays will be looking to win back the trophy which in 2006 became the clubs only ever piece of silverware, whilst the Steelers will be looking for a second consecutive victory after royally thrashing the Stingrays over two legs last year, 9-2 on aggregate.
The competition gives the Rays a chance to brush away the cobwebs of summer after a week of interrupted training, the Steelers enter the games after two weeks training and on the back of a 10-3 aggregate loss against German Bundesliga side Bietigheim Steelers in the LUK Cup.
After a long summer, hockey is back with a bang in Hull as the Rays look to bed in their new bigger, tougher, stronger squad against the 07 Playoff Champion Sheffield Steelers.
Key players
Sheffield- Joey Talbot- The former Alaska Aces star was a Stingray killer in games between the Rays and Steelers last season, as Talbot went on to record a career high season in goals (39), assists (36) and points (75). A huge part of the Steelers playoff success last season, it is hoped that he can replicate that form and help the Steelers to yet more success.
Stingrays- Rick Kozak- Kozak is the most anticipated Stingray signing this off-season, and one of the biggest signings in the clubs history. Drafted in the 3rd round of the NHL draft just 5 years ago, before being traded for Vladimir Malakhov to New York in 04, Kozak had (and may still have) NHL pedigree. Someone in New York obviously believed that, as the Rangers had him signed to a 3 year, 2 way NHL contract which ended last year. He never made it to the NHL but it is clear his speed, aggressive drives to the net and willingness to fight for the cause will get him noticed as one of the best power forwards in the EIHL today. He will play a key role in this weekends games, especially if he wants to make an early impact on the league.
Head to head EIHL record
Games: 15
Stingray wins: 2
Stingray goals: 19
Steeler wins: 13
Last 3 results
26/01/08: Sheffield 3-0 Stingrays
03/02/08: Stingrays 2-3 Sheffield
17/02/08: Sheffield 10-1 Stingrays
Missing players
Stingrays- Steve Slonina (misses weekend to attend sisters wedding), Troy Neumeier (doubtful: awaiting VISA)
Steelers- None
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Defensive Line Predictions
See below this post for Offensive line predictions.
Here are what I guess will be the defensive line combinations for the Stingrays next season:
As the forward lines fit together perfectly, the defensive options look slightly more jumbled and a little weaker than they have been in recent years. The reason behind that? The departure of three up and coming British players. And whilst the reasons for the non-re-signing of Stevie Lee (to gain top line experience in the EPL), Luke Boothroyd (occasional slips on defence) and Dave Phillips (unable to compete with Belfast and the perks of playing for a top 4 side) are generally accepted, it does leave the Rays with a worrying lack of depth.
The Stingrays have historically (if 5 years can be classed as history) gone with a lot of depth in defence, however Rick Strachan seems to have ditched those ideas for the season, replacing Lee, Phillips and Boothroyd with just Paul Moran. As a result the Rays have just two and a half lines of defence as opposed to the three (and sometimes even three and a half).
Troy Neumeier will almost certainly be the top line defenceman, with the C, playing top line minutes at the age of 38. Who he plays with is pure guesswork, but Strachan knows exactly what Pavel Gomenyuk will give him and so expect Neumeier to play the defensive defenceman role with Gomenyuk there to rack up points similar to his 22 points in 53 games in 06/07 with the Rays. An out and out offensive defenceman in the mould of Kevin Young or Craig Minard seems to be the most obvious omission in the Stingrays squad at this point, so for the time begin Gomenyuk will have to take that slot.
The second line D could go one of two ways. With Jonathan Bernier expected to be the most active fighter on the Stingrays, Paul Moran may begin on the 2nd line with Stuart Kerr. Either that, or Bernier and Kerr will be paired up until someone (most likely Bernier) gets sent to the box, at which point Moran will replace them. However, another capable British defenceman in the shape of Richie Thornton, or someone similar, wouldn't go a miss.
Here are what I guess will be the defensive line combinations for the Stingrays next season:
Defencemen
Line 1
Troy Neumeier (C)-Pavel Gomenyuk
Line 2
Jonathan Bernier-Stuart Kerr
Paul Moran Rotating/Replacing for both forwards and defencemen.
Line 1
Troy Neumeier (C)-Pavel Gomenyuk
Line 2
Jonathan Bernier-Stuart Kerr
Paul Moran Rotating/Replacing for both forwards and defencemen.
As the forward lines fit together perfectly, the defensive options look slightly more jumbled and a little weaker than they have been in recent years. The reason behind that? The departure of three up and coming British players. And whilst the reasons for the non-re-signing of Stevie Lee (to gain top line experience in the EPL), Luke Boothroyd (occasional slips on defence) and Dave Phillips (unable to compete with Belfast and the perks of playing for a top 4 side) are generally accepted, it does leave the Rays with a worrying lack of depth.
The Stingrays have historically (if 5 years can be classed as history) gone with a lot of depth in defence, however Rick Strachan seems to have ditched those ideas for the season, replacing Lee, Phillips and Boothroyd with just Paul Moran. As a result the Rays have just two and a half lines of defence as opposed to the three (and sometimes even three and a half).
Troy Neumeier will almost certainly be the top line defenceman, with the C, playing top line minutes at the age of 38. Who he plays with is pure guesswork, but Strachan knows exactly what Pavel Gomenyuk will give him and so expect Neumeier to play the defensive defenceman role with Gomenyuk there to rack up points similar to his 22 points in 53 games in 06/07 with the Rays. An out and out offensive defenceman in the mould of Kevin Young or Craig Minard seems to be the most obvious omission in the Stingrays squad at this point, so for the time begin Gomenyuk will have to take that slot.
The second line D could go one of two ways. With Jonathan Bernier expected to be the most active fighter on the Stingrays, Paul Moran may begin on the 2nd line with Stuart Kerr. Either that, or Bernier and Kerr will be paired up until someone (most likely Bernier) gets sent to the box, at which point Moran will replace them. However, another capable British defenceman in the shape of Richie Thornton, or someone similar, wouldn't go a miss.
Forward Line Predictions
With the expected lull in news following the signing of Troy Neumeier, who became the 17th and final Stingray for the 08/09, I have put together what I think will be the Stingrays forward and defensive lines for the opening game, in pre-season, against the Sheffield Steelers on August 30th. Here's how I think the forwards will shape up:
There have been significant upgrades in the Stingrays offense, with what is expected to be a brand new first line, demoting last seasons first line to the second line. This is a trend that Rick Strachan has followed before. In 04/05 he brought in Scott Wray and Jeff Glowa, and demoted Ukrainians Andrei Nikolai and Slava Koulikov to the second line. The Rays ended up having a strong season, not before Messrs Wray and Minard bolted back to the CHL.
Whilst many non Stingray fans are questioning the Stingrays goal scoring ability for the upcoming season, Stingrays fans themselves can see the obvious progress made with the incoming forwards and are left questioning the Rays strength in depth at the back.
Up front they look to posses 3 strong, if unspectacular, lines. Steve Slonina looks, at least to the fans, to be twice the player that former first line centre Brad Patterson was, whilst Matt Reynolds, who is coming off a championship season, looks like he has to potential to rack up points at roughly the same rate as the player he is replacing, Rob Rankin. Rick Kozak, who will certainly be a first line and key player for the Rays, is coming from an NHL contract with the New York Rangers and is thought to have the potential to score a point a game, whilst being one of the most exciting players the Stingrays have ever had.
A line of Glowa, Koulikov and Riddle will provide secondary scoring, the likes of which haven't been seen with the Stingrays before; of course injuries will more than likely take toll on that statement. Rick Strachan has made a point of making sure that the Stingrays have 6,7 or even 8 players that are capable of scoring, and on the opening day of the season it will certainly look like that, with 3 lines capable of getting the Rays some offense.
The third line too is strong, and whilst it definitely looks like it won't produce the goals of the first two lines, it will be defensively strong and able to take chances should they fall to them. Lee Mitchell, who scored 20 points in 40 games last season, and James Cooke are British players with great potential, although I suspect creating chances will be the key problem. Jason Kostadine will provide energy and grit and in turn will agitate the opposition, I still expect him to surprise some, especially with his skating ability.
Finally, should the Rays lack passion or drive, Lee Esders will provide cover for any injuries, suspensions or penalties (which let face it, will be a regular occurrence this season). Esders became a fan favourite last season with a number of inspiring performances, hopefully more of which is to come this season.
Forwards
Line 1
Rick Kozak-Steve Slonina-Matt Reynolds
Line 2
Jake Riddle-Jeff Glowa(A)-Slava Koulikov(A)
Line 3
James Cooke-Lee Mitchell-Jason Kostadine
Lee Esders Rotating/Replacing
Line 1
Rick Kozak-Steve Slonina-Matt Reynolds
Line 2
Jake Riddle-Jeff Glowa(A)-Slava Koulikov(A)
Line 3
James Cooke-Lee Mitchell-Jason Kostadine
Lee Esders Rotating/Replacing
There have been significant upgrades in the Stingrays offense, with what is expected to be a brand new first line, demoting last seasons first line to the second line. This is a trend that Rick Strachan has followed before. In 04/05 he brought in Scott Wray and Jeff Glowa, and demoted Ukrainians Andrei Nikolai and Slava Koulikov to the second line. The Rays ended up having a strong season, not before Messrs Wray and Minard bolted back to the CHL.
Whilst many non Stingray fans are questioning the Stingrays goal scoring ability for the upcoming season, Stingrays fans themselves can see the obvious progress made with the incoming forwards and are left questioning the Rays strength in depth at the back.
Up front they look to posses 3 strong, if unspectacular, lines. Steve Slonina looks, at least to the fans, to be twice the player that former first line centre Brad Patterson was, whilst Matt Reynolds, who is coming off a championship season, looks like he has to potential to rack up points at roughly the same rate as the player he is replacing, Rob Rankin. Rick Kozak, who will certainly be a first line and key player for the Rays, is coming from an NHL contract with the New York Rangers and is thought to have the potential to score a point a game, whilst being one of the most exciting players the Stingrays have ever had.
A line of Glowa, Koulikov and Riddle will provide secondary scoring, the likes of which haven't been seen with the Stingrays before; of course injuries will more than likely take toll on that statement. Rick Strachan has made a point of making sure that the Stingrays have 6,7 or even 8 players that are capable of scoring, and on the opening day of the season it will certainly look like that, with 3 lines capable of getting the Rays some offense.
The third line too is strong, and whilst it definitely looks like it won't produce the goals of the first two lines, it will be defensively strong and able to take chances should they fall to them. Lee Mitchell, who scored 20 points in 40 games last season, and James Cooke are British players with great potential, although I suspect creating chances will be the key problem. Jason Kostadine will provide energy and grit and in turn will agitate the opposition, I still expect him to surprise some, especially with his skating ability.
Finally, should the Rays lack passion or drive, Lee Esders will provide cover for any injuries, suspensions or penalties (which let face it, will be a regular occurrence this season). Esders became a fan favourite last season with a number of inspiring performances, hopefully more of which is to come this season.
Tuesday 5 August 2008
Neumeier suprise confirms 08/09 squad; Bring on the Steelers.
Just over a month ago it was all but confirmed by Stingrays owner Sue Pack, that Troy Neumeier would not return to the Excel Hull Stingrays and that he had retired from hockey after an astonishing 21 year career spanning all the top North American minor leagues. After spending much of his career in the AHL , British Superleague and UHL, it looked like his career was to come to an abrupt and unusual end in the British Elite League with a season split between Belfast, Coventry and finally Hull.A month, and a change of heart, later, Troy Neumeier will suit up for his 22nd season in professional hockey, and possibly his last, with the Excel Hull Stingrays.
Neumeier, who completes a defence which includes Pavel Gomenyuk, Stuart Kerr, Jonathan Bernier and Paul Moran, may also be named captain of the team later this month before two pre-season challenge games against the Sheffield Steelers in the Yorkshire Cup.
Whilst Neumeier may not be the fastest, nor most energetic player on the side, his experience, leadership, hockey brain and most of all, natural talent, will allow him to be a stand out defenceman, most certainly, on the team but even in the league.
He has received extended praise from owners Sue Pack and Rick Strachan for his leadership abilities, praise which will almost certainly see him take the captaincy from Jeff Glowa. Glowa would be captain over almost anyone, unfortunately for him, or perhaps not if the team perform, the man named "The Destroyer" will most likely take the captaincy.
At a guess, Neumeier may also contribute more offensively than many expect. Towards the end of last year, Neumeier was on pace for a career year with the Stingrays after recording 9 points in 24 games. Given a full season, his ability to set up and score from the blueline may help the Rays, which lack an out and out offensive defenceman in the shape of Craig Minard or Kevin Young. His career highs stand at 7 goals (04/05 Fort Wayne Comets), 18 assists (98/99 Manchester Storm), 24 points (98/99 Manchester Storm) and a massive +45 +/- rating (04/05 Fort Wayne Comets).
Rick Strachan had this to say upon signing the 37 year old:
He is the last piece of the jigsaw and we couldn't have asked for a better way to complete our roster. Troy is big, strong and smart, he is poised on the puck, calm and takes good care of himself. He is a great leader on and off the ice."Former Coach Ed Courtenays views on him:
"Troy has been one of the top defensive players in every league he has played in over the years. He makes getting to the net difficult for any opposing forwards."
Former GM, Todd Kelmans views on him.
"Ed and I both remember playing against Troy in his time with the Storm in the old Superleague Days and he simply was the best defensive defenceman in the league during those years"
And one final note. In his final season with the Manchester Storm in 00/01, in a tough season he made this comment:
''Last season, many games were brutal. I never want to experience another situation like that. It just makes you want to retire.''And yet, at least one tough season later, he continues to play at the age of 37
Friday 1 August 2008
Ladygin is a non runner, as expected...
Whilst fans await the Excel Hull Stingrays final signing, an import defenceman. Big Ukrainian defenceman Nikolai Ladygin has been confirmed as signing in Russia with HK Dmitrov, and therefore will not return for his third consecutive season with the Stingrays.
Dmitrov, which sits 40 miles North of Moscow, currently sit in the Russian 2nd tier, the Vysshaya Liga, one below the newly formed, and highly controversial, Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Ladygin, who posted 45 points in two seasons and 115 games for the Rays, including an outstanding first season where he scored 10 goals and ended up with 27 points , had previously played in Ukraine and both the Russian 2nd and 3rd tiers.
Ladygin wasnt a fan favourite of Evgeny Alipov proportions, however he very very rarely put a foot wrong and was a solid defenceman, which many fans appreciated. It was all but confirmed that he would not be returning when coach Rick Strachan said there would be limited returnees from last season, and before that when he was played as forward in the final part of last season when Brad Patterson left the team. His strength and confidence to take anyone on at the back (physically and defensively) was what endeared him to the fans the most.
My final Ladygin memory? In one of his first games (could well have been the first pre-season game of 06/07) for the team, against the Sheffield Steelers, he wound up for a slapshot from the blueline. The shot trickled along the ice and somehow found its way into the net, a truely memorable effort for its lack of technique and power. He went on to score 10 league goals, most of which were slapshots from the blueline thankfully a little more pleasing on the eye than his first effort some 2 years ago.
Dmitrov, which sits 40 miles North of Moscow, currently sit in the Russian 2nd tier, the Vysshaya Liga, one below the newly formed, and highly controversial, Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Ladygin, who posted 45 points in two seasons and 115 games for the Rays, including an outstanding first season where he scored 10 goals and ended up with 27 points , had previously played in Ukraine and both the Russian 2nd and 3rd tiers.
Ladygin wasnt a fan favourite of Evgeny Alipov proportions, however he very very rarely put a foot wrong and was a solid defenceman, which many fans appreciated. It was all but confirmed that he would not be returning when coach Rick Strachan said there would be limited returnees from last season, and before that when he was played as forward in the final part of last season when Brad Patterson left the team. His strength and confidence to take anyone on at the back (physically and defensively) was what endeared him to the fans the most.
My final Ladygin memory? In one of his first games (could well have been the first pre-season game of 06/07) for the team, against the Sheffield Steelers, he wound up for a slapshot from the blueline. The shot trickled along the ice and somehow found its way into the net, a truely memorable effort for its lack of technique and power. He went on to score 10 league goals, most of which were slapshots from the blueline thankfully a little more pleasing on the eye than his first effort some 2 years ago.
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