Saturday 31 January 2009

Rays torched by Blaze

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 6 Coventry Blaze

The Excel Hull Stingrays fell to the Coventry Blaze for the fifth time in the league this year, following up on a 7-9 loss when the two teams last met at the Hull Arena.

The game began with Coventry applying early pressure on Stingrays' netminder Curtis Cruickshank, which paid dividends just 42 seconds in. After some questionable defensive play from the home side, Russ Cowley found himself behind the Stingrays' goal, and he neatly finished a wraparound goal down low on Cruickshank's glove side.

The Stingrays responded in emphatic style, with some impressive forechecking from Cooke forcing a turnover in the Coventry zone. Koulikov picked up the puck along the boards, found Mitchell behind the hash marks, and he finished with an accurate wrist shot into the top corner of Perras' goal.

However, the Stingrays could not capitalise on this early equaliser, and a misguided Pavel Gomenyuk pass allowed the Blaze to gain possession in the Stingrays' zone. After an initial shot was saved, Barrie Moore finished high on Cruickshank's blocker side.

In the second period the Blaze continued to show their superiority, and this was reflected on the scoreboard when new signing Blake Forsyth fired home on the powerplay, after referee Andy Carson had called a slashing penalty on Steve Slonina.

The Stingrays made sure that they were within touching distance of the Blaze when they replied with a powerplay goal of their own at 31:11. After a concerted period of pressure in the Coventry zone, James Cooke eventually scrambled home past a flapping Perras in the Blaze net.

Coventry continued to outshoot the Stingrays in the second period, and it was nothing more than they deserved when GB international Russ Cowley restored their two goal cushion by finishing a clinical play through Cruickshank's pads. Danny Stewart picked up his third assist of the game.

The deficit was to prove too much for the home side, and the need to push forward left large spaces on the ice for Coventry to exploit. Further goals from Dan Carlson (38:46) and Danny Stewart (56:22) put the tie out of reach, leaving the injury-hit Stingrays empty handed.

Best Moment- An off-the-line clearance from Stingrays defenceman Antti Turunen, saving netminder Cruickshank's blushes.

Worst Moment- An uncharacteristic error from Pavel Gomenyuk, gifting Coventry their go-ahead goal in the first period.

F Block MOM
Stingrays- Lee Mitchell (1+1) - Was at the heart of everything good in the Stingrays' offensive play, and took his goal well. He made a solid Blaze defence look ragged at times, and nearly scored another in a rare three-on-one rush on the Blaze goal.

Blaze - Danny Stewart (1+4) - Had a hand in five of the Blaze's six goals. His play was a constant threat to the Stingrays, and he proved too hot to handle for a below-par Stingrays defence.

Stingrays Verdict: (5/10) A mediocre performance from an understrength Stingrays side. Numerous defensive errors provided a much improved Coventry side with plentiful opportunities throughout the game. Positive performances from goalscorers Lee Mitchell and James Cooke, along with a typically robust effort from Jeff Glowa.

Strachan's Verdict: "They were better than us in every area. We didn’t match up well with them. They have three awesome lines and we had seven forwards. But they just wear you down and they were relentless. To beat them you have to play mistake-free and we made two mistakes in the first 10 minutes. We got back in the game at 3-2 but then conceded two goals when we were in control of the puck. You give them a chance and they will take it."

Friday 30 January 2009

Stingrays Weekend Preview (31/01, 01/02)

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Saturday 31st January 2009: Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) v Coventry Blaze (2nd) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 1st February 2009: Cardiff Devils (6th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) @ Cardiff Bay Ice Arena, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays- L W L W L
Coventry- W W OTW W D
Cardiff- PSW W PSW L L

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
12/11/08 1-6 L A
20/12/09 7-9 L H
10/01/09 1-7 L A

v Cardiff
13/09/08 1-6 L A
15/11/08 3-4 PSL H
03/12/08 0-1 L A

Season series
v Coventry 0-5, 0 points, 12GF, 31GA
v Cardiff 0-3, 1 point, 4GF, 11GA

Man of the moment
Stingrays- Lee Esders (44GP 5+5)- Scored a goal in each of the Stingrays games against his former side Newcastle and has three points in four games since Jamie Thompson's injury allowed him extended ice time.

Coventry- Blake Forsyth (5GP 1+4)- Has helped the Blaze transformation with five points in five games since joining just two weeks ago, in which time the Blaze have recorded four wins and a draw

Cardiff- Mike Prpich (34GP 22+20)- Has scored in two out of three games against the Stingrays and leads Cardiff in goals, powerplay goals and shorthanded goals.

Absentees
Stingrays- Stuart Kerr (doubtful; knee), Matt Reynolds (broken finger), Paul Moran (shoulder), Jamie Thompson (neck)
Coventry- Full Strength
Cardiff- Marc Fulton (knee), Lee Cowmeadow (dislocated elbow), Derek Campbell (knee)

Other news
- 30 year old former Tampa Bay Lightning forward , Matt Elich, will make his debut against the Basingstoke Bison on Saturday before facing the Stingrays in Cardiff on Sunday in his home debut.

- The Stingrays last home game against Coventry was their highest scoring game of the season with sixteen goals being scored between the teams in the Rays 9-7 loss.

Predictions
Stingrays 2-4 Coventry
Cardiff 3-4 Stingrays

Thursday 29 January 2009

Stingrays face four goal deficit for second leg.

Manchester Phoenix 4-0 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays were shut out by the Manchester Phoenix for the second time of the season, and failed to score for the fourth time this season, in the first leg of their British Knockout Cup Quarter Final against the Manchester Phoenix.

Buoyed by the return of defensive stalwart Troy Neumeier and Elite League debuts for youngsters Craig Elliot and Matty Davies, a close first period saw just a Kenton Smith powerplay goal separate the sides.

With the Rays understandably doing their best impressions of a river dam, in order to limit the deficit for the second leg against a Manchester side that has beaten them four times out of four this season, a tense affair ensued.

Despite a solid team defensive effort from the Stingrays, Manchester extended their lead in the second period with a lone Brett Cloutier goal handing the Phoenix a two goal lead. They then doubled that lead in the third period with goals from player-coach Tony Hand and Kyle Bruce which gave the Phoenix a handy lead heading into the return leg in Hull on Valentine's Day.

Strach said:
"It was a disappointing result. Manchester do have a big lead but I have seen stranger things happen. They have a Challenge Cup semi-final the following night so they may have their mind on that, who knows?"

"The two young kids got more ice time than they probably thought and they did well. Troy managed to shake some of the rust off. It will take him a couple of games to get going but I am happy to have him back. "He is a calming influence back there and a valuable player for us"

SOG: 31-26
PIM: 8-8

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Manchester v Stingrays (29/01), British Knockout Cup 1st Leg Preview

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Thursday 18th January: Manchester Phoenix v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Altrincham Ice Dome, F/O 7.15pm (British Knockout Cup Quarter Final 1st Leg)

Form
Stingrays- OTL L W L W
Manchester- L L L L W

Last 3 Meetings
26/10/08 4-6 L A
22/11/08 0-5 L A
29/11/08 1-7 L H

Season Series
v Manchester 0-4, 8GF, 22GA

Man of the moment
Stingrays- Jeff Glowa (43GP 23+23)- Has six points in three games after recorded a goal and two assists in the Stingrays 4-2 victory over Newcastle last weekend.
Manchester- David Beauregard (42GP 40+32)- Has scored nine goals and four assists in four games against the Stingrays including a hat trick and two assists in his last game against the Rays.

Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn knee ligament), Paul Moran (shoulder), Matt Reynolds (finger), Stuart Kerr (knee), Jamie Thompson (neck)
Manchester- Full Strength

Other news
- The Stingrays good run of form continued last weekend with two points out of four against the Newcastle Vipers. The win at the Hull Arena on Sunday sealed form which has seen the Rays record nine points in nine games.

- The league's leading goal scorer, David Beauregard, and linemate Luke Fulghum have scored 12 of Manchester's 22 goals against the Stingrays this season.

- Already without Paul Moran, Troy Neumeier, Stuart Kerr and Matt Reynolds, the Stingrays will also be without forward Jamie Thompson, who is set to miss his first games since joining the side with a neck injury.

- Manchester broke their five game losing streak, their longest of the season, with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff last weekend.

- The Stingrays have signed Kingston Jets forward Craig Elliot, 18, and Swindon Wildcats forward Matty Davies, 19, as injury cover for the first leg of the Knockout Cup. GB Under 20 international Davies has so far scored 18 points in 27 games in the English Premier League whilst Elliot has recorded 19 points in 13 games in the English National League.

- The Stingrays met the Phoenix at the same stage of the British Knockout Cup last season with the Stingrays coming out victorious in the two legged affair with Jake Riddle the star of the Stingrays show.

Prediction
Manchester 5-3 Stingrays

Monday 26 January 2009

Another weekend, another injury

Already without Paul Moran, Stuart Kerr, Troy Neumeier and Matt Reynolds, the Excel Hull Stingrays suffered another blow this weekend after the news that Jamie Thompson will be forced to sit out at least three weeks with a neck injury.

Thompson, who joined the Stingrays in late October and has so far recorded eight goals and two assists in 26 games, initially injured his neck in the 4-0 loss against Sheffield three weeks ago but persevered to play in Newcastle on Saturday night.

However, after failing to complete the 3-2 loss in Newcastle, Thompson now faces at least three weeks on the sidelines with the injury which requires an MRI scan.

Sunday 25 January 2009

Rays move level on points with eigth placed Capitals

Excel Hull Stingrays 4-2 Newcastle Vipers

The Excel Hull Stingrays ended a two game double header against the Newcastle Vipers in style with a 4-2 victory and in the process sealed their seventh point in seven games sending them into equal eighth place.

Buoyed by a scrap between Stingrays defenceman Aaron Wilson and Newcastle forward Andre Payette, the Stingrays took a three goal lead into the third period with goals from Pavel Gomenyuk, Steve Slonina and Lee Esders, who bagged his second goal in two games.

The Vipers came back strongly in the third period with goals from Likit Andersson and Derek Campbell however Jeff Glowa's 23rd of the season completed an impressive team performance and sent the Stingrays onto an equal 25 points with Edinburgh in eighth place.

Strachan said: "
After Newcastle scored I thought we steadied it down, and got back in it, but they scored a powerplay goal which was like a fluke as I think it took a bad bounce or something" said Strachan. I got a little nervous then as I could see the guys were getting tired. But they hung in there. They bent but they didn't break, and we got a huge two points."

SOG: 30-31
PIM: 15-29

Saturday 25th January: Payette goal beats Stingrays

Newcastle Vipers 3-2 Excel Hull Stingrays

After a last minute 3-2 win against Nottingham last Sunday, the Stingrays found themselves on the other side of the fence on Saturday in Newcastle in what was the first of a double header.

After going two goals down via Jeff Hutchins and former Stingray Rob Rankin, who scored his fourth point in four games against his former employers, the Stingrays came back from a two goal deficit for the second time in two games.

The comeback commenced when, also for the second game in a row, Konstantin Kalmikov dispatched a penalty shot after referee Tom Darnell awarded a penalty for a Vipers player blocking and covering a shot on the line.

Kalmikov recorded his 16th of the season from the ensuing penalty shot before Lee Esders levelled the scores for the Rays, scoring his fourth of the season.

Unfortunately this time the Stingrays could not benefit from the momentum gained and Andre Payette was allowed to score his third of the season and second against the Stingrays sealing a tight victory for the Vipers.

SOG: 30-26
PIM: 10-6

Thursday 22 January 2009

24th/25th Weekend Preview

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Saturday 24th January: Newcastle Vipers (7th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) @ Metro Radio Arena, F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 25th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) v Newcaslte Vipers (7th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays- W L OTL L W
Newcastle- D W OTW L SOL

Last 3 Meetings
v Newcastle
25/10/08 4-3 H PSW
21/12/08 6-1 A L
11/01/08 3-4 H OTL

Season Series
v Newcastle: 1-2, 3 points, 8GF 13GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays- Konstantin Kalmikov (29GP 15+17) Elite League player of the week after scoring two goals in the 3-2 win over Nottingham and has 32 points in just 29 games, good enough for third on the Stingrays

Newcastle- Jeff Hutchins (20GP 13+15) Has scored more than a point a game since joining the club from Edinburgh before Christmas including six points in the Vipers last five games.

Absentees
Stingrays- Stuart Kerr (knee), Troy Neumeier (doubtful; torn knee ligament), Matt Reynolds (broken finger)
Newcastle- Burt Henderson(doubtful;broken wrist), Chris McAllister (doubtful; foot)

Other news
- The Stingrays now have seven points in seven games, their best seven game spell this season. This is a period that includes three overtime losses and two victories, one over Basingstoke and one over Nottingham.

- The Stingrays win in Nottingham was their third at the NIC, making Nottingham the Stingrays fourth most successful away venue behind Cardiff, Edinburgh and Basingstoke.

- Meanwhile this weekend the Stingrays face Newcastle at the Metro Radio Arena, an venue the Stingrays have never won in. The only other team the Stingrays have yet to beat away from home in their Elite League existence is Sheffield.

- Stuart Kerr will be forced to sit out another two weeks in order to undergo exploratory surgery on his troublesome knee, he has not iced for the Stingrays since November 29. Troy Neumeier may make a comeback from his knee injury within the next two weeks, however it has been confirmed that Matt Reynolds broken finger will keep him out for between 4-6 weeks, taking his return perilously close to the end of the season.

Predictions
Newcastle 4-2 Stingrays
Stingrays 4-3 Newcastle

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Stingray news

Player of the week. Player of the season?
Ukrainian forward Konstantin Kalmikov has become the first ever Excel Hull Stingray to receive the Elite League's Player of the Week.

The skillful forward, who joined the Stingrays in late October to replace Jake Riddle, sealed the accolade after scoring two of the Stingrays three goals in the last gasp victory over the second placed Nottingham Panthers, with the game winning goal coming from a penalty shot with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

Kalmikov, who is in his second spell in the UK after icing for the Panthers in 04/05, sits third in the team in goals (15) and points (32) but has played 11 less games than category leaders Jeff Glowa, Steve Slonina and Matt Reynolds.

Glowa joins the All Stars
Jeff Glowa has followed Lee Mitchell into the Southern All Stars squad after being selected by South coach Paul Thompson for the inaugural Elite League All Star Game, to be played in Coventry on February 19th.

Glowa, who last year scored 18 goals in the club's second Elite League season, has already surpassed that mark after scoring 22 in the teams first 41 games, adding 20 assists for a points total of 42. With Mitchell and Glowa already selected, Coventry coach Thompson must pick two more Stingrays to complete the agreed four players per team quota.

Defence returning to health?
Defencemen Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier are nearing their return to Elite League action. Whilst Kerr did not feel comfortable after warming up against Nottingham Neumeier is expected to make a surprise early return in the next few weeks after initially being ruled out for the season after a torn knee ligament.

Sunday 18 January 2009

Reynolds injury rocks Rays.

It has been revealed that the Stingrays top point scoring forward, Matt Reynolds, suffered a broken hand in the Stingrays 4-0 loss at home to Sheffield.

Reynolds, 27, who leads the team with 44 points from 40 games and lies second on the team in goals and assists, was diagnosed with the broken hand at Hull Royal Infirmary last night and will be out for between five and six weeks.

Whilst the injury is a devastating blow to Reynolds, the team and their hopes for a playoff spot, it does allow the Stingrays to de-register Reynolds in favour of Troy Neumeier, who will return to action next weekend.

After the signing of Antti Turunen the Stingrays had 10 imports registered of an allowed 11. Reynolds injury will allow both Stuart Kerr, who made an unsuccessful return to action in the Stingrays victory in Nottingham tonight, and Troy Neumeier to return once fit.

Should Reynolds recover in the expected time frame he would make his return on the 22th of February with a match up against the Sheffield Steelers, just a month before the end of the regular season.

Kalmikov double seals surprise win

Nottingham Panthers 2-3 Excel Hull Stingrays

Goals from two former Nottingham Panthers, James Cooke and Konstantin Kalmikov, helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to a shock win in Nottingham over the second placed Panthers.

Once again without Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier, the Stingrays were also without Matt Reynolds, who was forced to visit hospital after sustaining a hand injury against Sheffield, whilst Pavel Gomenyuk looked to struggle against Sheffield.

Unsurprisingly the Panthers took a 2-0 first period lead through new signing Juraj Golcic and Brit Matt Myers, however that was as far as the Panthers lead would go.

The Stingrays came back strongly and on 27 minutes Konstantin Kalmikov scored his 14th of the season to bring the Stingrays back into the game. Then to the NIC's surprisement little over three minutes later the Stingrays were level through another former Panther, James Cooke, who scored his first of the season.

The Panthers barraged the Stingrays net in the third period with 13 shots however it was Kalmikov that would score his second of the game with less than two minutes left on the clock after a Michel Robinson mistake handed him the chance to take the win on a penalty shot.

It was a chance that the skillful Ukrainian would not pass up and in the process of scoring the shot he handed the Stingrays their third and fourth point of the season against the Panthers and recorded the Rays all time third victory in the NIC.

SOG: 33-24
PIM: 14-8

Saturday 17th January: Steelers power to win over helpless Stingrays

Excel Hull Stingrays 0-4 Sheffield Steelers

The Excel Hull Stingrays were shut out for just the third time this season at home to league leaders the Sheffield Steelers, with Steelers netminder Jody Lehman saving all of the Stingrays 25 shots on goal.

A good start was imperative for the Stingrays however the Steelers came out buzzing and really put the Stingrays under immense pressure before Doug Sheppard slotted home what would in the end become the game winning goal.

The Stingrays tried to break down the Steelers defence throughout the game but left unrewarded as anything that did penetrate the Steelers stern defence was easily swatted away by Lehman. Nevertheless it was a good hardworking performance from the Stingrays who did their best to break down the Steelers.

Further goals from Ashley Tait at 9 minutes, Ryan Finnerty at 28 minutes and Joey Talbot with just three minutes remaining put the tie out of the Stingrays reach.

Best Moment- A Jamie Thompson hit to begin the third period (where was that in the first and second?), an average scrap between Jason Kostadine and Brad Cruikshank.

Worst Moment- The Steelers first goal through Doug Sheppard which set the Stingrays on an uphill struggle, Matt Reynolds going off with ice to his hand.

F Block MOM
Stingrays- Curtis Cruickshank (38/4)- Saved the Stingrays on a number of occasions and was faultless for the Steelers four goals.

Sheffield- Jody Lehman (25/0)- Did what he had to do, though, in truth, the Steelers defence including Munn, Basiuk and Dagenais snuffed out a large majority of the Stingrays fairly blunt threat.

Stingrays Verdict: (6/10) The Stingrays were powerless to the class of the big spending Steelers. The Stingrays defence was solid and yet the Steelers still managed to breeze around defencemen, a praise of the Steelers rather than a critique of the Stingrays. Netminder Curtis Cruickshank saved a number of 1-on-1's and 2-on-1's which saved the Stingrays an undeserved high scoring loss. The Stingrays offence was suffocated by the Steelers defence but continued to work very hard in an attempt to break the duck. Overall, a good effort but in the end there was just not enough class for the Stingrays to chose from in order to challenge the high flying Steelers.

Strachan's Verdict: "Sheffield are top for a reason. They are a good team, they don't have any weaknesses, I can't see anyone catching them. I thought we battled hard and competed well, but Sheffield were just stronger and scored on their chances. We got beat by a better hockey team, they were really good."

SOG: 25-28
PIM: 9-11



Highlights from Steelers TV

Thursday 15 January 2009

17th/18th Weekend Preview

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Saturday 17th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) v Sheffield Steelers (1st) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 18th January: Nottingham Panthers (2nd) v Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) @ NIC, F/O 4.00pm

Form
Stingrays: OTL OTL W L OTL
Sheffield: W OTW OTW OTL OTL
Nottingham: W W L W W

Last 3 Meetings
v Sheffield
04/10/08 2-5 L H
02/11/08 1-2 L H
03/01/09 3-4 OTL A

v Nottingham
28/09/08 2-2 D H
11/10/08 4-7 L H
23/11/08 4-5 PSL A

Season Series
v Sheffield: 0-4 1 point 9GF 18GA
v Nottingham: 0-3-1 2 points 12GF 20 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays- Steve Slonina (39GP 5+25)- Has scored 12 points in ten games from defence and leads the Stingrays in assists (25).

Sheffield- Jeff Legue (40GP 17+28)- Since scoring 2+1 in victory over Belfast in late 2008 has contributed four goals and one assist in four games including two overtime winners against Coventry and the Stingrays.

Nottingham- David Clarke (31GP 21+15)- Scored three goals and two assists in wins over Basingstoke and Edinburgh last weekend and leads British goal scoring in the league with 21 goals, good enough for sixth overall.

Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn knee ligament), Stuart Kerr (doubtful; knee strain), Paul Moran (shoulder)
Sheffield- Nathan Gillies (elbow), Andrew Sharpe (suspended)
Nottingham- Johan Molin (doubtful; cheekbone), Rumun Ndur (doubtful; hand)

Other news
-It is expected that Richie Thornton will make his third and fourth appearances for the Elite League Stingrays after marking his long awaited debut with two solid performances last weekend.

-The Stingrays will have a better timescale on the knee injuries to Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier on Friday. Kerr has been out since November with a knee strain and was awaiting results from an MRI scan today whilst it is thought Neumeier, who has just returned to the country after spending Christmas period in Canada, could being skating on a torn knee ligament that was feared could have ended his season.

-Despite possibly being without Johan Molin and Rumun Ndur, the Panthers will have a full squad after the signings of Canadian Corey LeClair and Slovenian ultilty man Juraj Golcic.Meanwhile the Panthers are continuing their search for more reinforcements as they look to strengthen their side with an unprecedented 13th import, thought to be a forward.

-One Panthers forward that is staying with the side though is Dan Tessier who has rejected a contract worth £35,000 in the Swedish second tier.

-In their past five games the Stingrays have five points including three overtime losses. The streak is the Stingrays joint second best five game streak of the season.

Predictions
Stingrays 2-4 Sheffield
Nottingham 5-3 Stingrays

Sunday 11 January 2009

Rays blow two goal lead with less than eight minutes left

Excel Hull Stingrays 3-4 Newcastle Vipers (After Overtime)

The Excel Hull Stingrays claimed their fifith point in five games with an overtime loss to the Newcastle Vipers.

The Stingrays had much of the play in the first period with just a Slava Koulikov goal, which trickled past Vipers netminder Andrew Verner, to show for their most dominant period.

Thanks to some inconsistent refereeing by from referee Tom Darnell, both sides received opportunities to get on the scoresheet however it was the Stingrays that struck first as Matt Reynolds sent through Konstantin Kalmikov for a breakaway goal on the penalty kill, their second shorthanded goal in two games.

However the Vipers quickly struck back following Kalmikov's shorthanded attempt to open their account for the night on the same powerplay.

Jeff Glowa regained the Stingrays two goal lead towards the end of the second period slotting home his 22nd of the season.

Unfortunately for the Stingrays the Vipers fightback began with a David Longstaff goal with just eight minutes remaining before a goal from Jeff Hutchins leveled the scores with just four minutes left.

It took just 28 seconds of the ensuing overtime for Longstaff to bag his second of the evening, in an impressive performance, and for the Vipers to go back to Tyneside with both points.
Despite edging the game in terms of play the Stingrays were left with just one point, increasing their lead over bottom placed Basingstoke whilst shortening the gap between themselves and Edinburgh in eight to just four points.

Best Moment-
A lovely team move by the Stingrays in the first period, which included an unbelievable Konstantin Kalmikov deke, nearly finished by Lee Mitchell. Encouraging home debuts by Antti Turunen and Richie Thornton.

Worst Moment-
David Longstaff's first of the game which well and truely gave Newcastle the momentum. David Longstaff's second of the game which sealed the extra point for the Vipers.

F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays- Konstantin Kalmikov (1+0)- His skill and rasping shots give the Stingrays a chance to win week in week out, all of which were in evidence tonight.

Newcastle- Rob Rankin (1+0)- The kind of hardworking performance that is severley lacking from the Stingrays Jamie Thompson, capped off with a goal against his former employer.

Stingrays Verdict:
(6/10) The Stingrays should have had the victory sewn up with a lot more than eight minutes to go, an efficient powerplay and penalty kill gave the Stingrays a deserved lead after two periods. However eight minutes in the third period was all that Newcastle required to steal the points. Antti Turunen and Richie Thornton had good home debuts and provided the team with some much needed depth on defence. Up front the Stingrays worked hard but squandered too many chances, chances which could have increased the lead to an unassailable three goals. Unfortunately the team switched off and allowed Newcastle the goal that gave them all the momentum to take the two points.

Strachan's Verdict:
"We made a crucial error with a one-goal lead in the last five minutes of a game on a powerplay. What are ‘D’ doing dumping the puck and chasing it? I don’t care if it’s a powerplay, we were winning. All you have to do is dump it in and let the forwards chase it.

"We dump it in and chase it and their goalie, who can play the puck, stops it and shoots it down for a breakaway. But it’s a point and every point helps us. There are a lot of games left and we need to get points out of every weekend."

SOG: 42-32
PIM: 12-14

Saturday 10 January 2009

Saturday 10th January: Stingrays on the receiving end in Coventry

Coventry Blaze 7-1 Excel Hull Stingrays

Despite debuts from Antti Turunen and Richie Thornton, which brought the defensive corps up to five, the Stingrays were on the receiving end of a beating from a Coventry who had won just one of their last five games.

With the Blaze in such a poor run of form they looked to blow away the cobwebs early in the game against the ninth placed Stingrays.

Indeed they did that firing nineteen shots and two goals past Curtis Cruickshank, to which the Stingrays could muster just four in return. The Blaze continued to dominate the second period, firing a further five goals past Cruickshank, all but ending the tie as a contest before Matt Reynolds scored a second period consolation for the Stingrays.

A Dan Carlson goal finished the scoring after 35 minutes before a check from behind and ensuing fight from Jason Kostadine saw him thrown out and in turn completed an unimpressive Stingrays performance.


SOG: 50-26
PIM: 17-38

Friday 9 January 2009

Stingrays sign Finnish defenceman

The Excel Hull Stingrays have signed young Finnish defenceman Antti Turunen as cover for injured Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier.

Turunen, 22, has signed from Swedish Division 1 side Asploven, where he scored a goal and four assists in 15 games, after advice from former Basingstoke Bison defenceman Mikko Purontakanen.

After spending all of his junior career with his home town JYP Jyväskylä he made the step into professional hockey last season with 41 games for SaPKo Savonlinna in the Finnish Metsis Division, one below the the top league in Finland, where he scored a goal and seven assists.

Turunen becomes the third Finnish player to ice for the Stingrays after Pasi Raitanen and defenceman Jani Virtanen last season.

He will make his debut in this weekends games against the Coventry Blaze and at home to the Newcastle Vipers on Sunday.

Stingrays coach Rick Strachan had this to say about the signing:
"Curtis Cruickshank spoke to Mikko Purontakanen who he played with in Basingstoke last season. He told him we were looking for a 'D' and he recommended Antti. He is young, he skates well and is aggressive. He is another body, another pair of legs and I hope he can make a contribution to the team."

All Star Mitchell

21 year old Scottish forward Lee Mitchell has been selected by EIHL South All Star coach Paul Thompson to represent the Excel Hull Stingrays in the first Elite League All Star game to be held at Coventry's Skydome Arena on Thursday 19th February.

Mitchell, who has played for the Stingrays for four years now totalling 173 games, 34 goals, 54 assists for 78 points, is on target for a career year with the Stingrays this year and after being moved to centre has scored 11 points in ten games.

He is the first of four Excel Hull Stingrays that will be competing in the All Star game and he joins Coventry's Adam Calder, Basingstoke's Kevin Reiter, Cardiff's Brad Voth and Nottingham's Corey Neilson and Matt Myers in the South squad.

Thursday 8 January 2009

10th/11th Weekend Preview

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Saturday 10th January: Coventry Blaze (4th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) @ Coventry Skydome, F/O 7pm
Sunday 11th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (9th) v Newcastle Vipers (7th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm


Form
Stingrays- L L OTL OTL W
Coventry- L L W L OTL
Newcastle- L L L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
12/10/08 3-7 L A
12/11/08 1-6 L A
20/12/08 7-9 L H

v Newcastle
09/03/08 1-3 L A
25/10/08 4-3 PSW H
21/12/08 1-6 L A

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-4 11GF 24GA
v Newcastle: 1-1 5GF 9GA

Player Watch
Stingrays- Matt Reynolds (37GP 19+24)- Recorded three goals and an assist last weekend, including two goals against the Sheffield Steelers. Has now scored eight goals in the Stingrays last ten games and sits in 12th place in league points.

Coventry- Jonathan Weaver (32GP 13+26)- Former Newcastle defenceman scored two goals and an assist in the loss against the Sheffield Steelers last weekend and is fourth on the Blaze in points.

Newcastle- Rob Wilson (30GP 6+20)- Scored a goal in each leg of the Vipers British Knockout Cup victory over Edinburgh, has gone pointless in just eight of his 30 games this season.

Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn knee ligament), Stuart Kerr (knee strain), Paul Moran (shoulder)
Coventry- Full Strength
Newcastle- Todd Griffith (quit the team), Burt Henderson (broken wrist), Derek Campbell (awaiting suspension)

Other news
-Paul Moran became the third Stingray defenceman after Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier to possibly have his season cut short by injury. Whilst it remains to be seen whether Neumeier or Kerr will make a re-appearance this season Moran has officially been ruled out with a shoulder injury that will be operated on in the upcoming months

-After signing on a two-way contract in mid-Decemeber Richie Thornton may make his second debut for the Stingrays this weekend with the Stingrays down to just two regular defencemen.

-Newcastle have been rocked by the departure of forward Todd Griffith who quit the club earlier in the week to return to the ECHL in North America.

-In a similar way Coventry have learnt that defenceman Jon Coleman will not re-new his short term contract after it expires this month. The Blaze had initially released Corey LeClair to make room for Coleman however they will now join the Stingrays in a search for defenceman after Coleman signed a deal in Europe.

Predicitons
Coventry 5-4 Stingrays
Stingrays 3-2 Newcastle

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Moran out for season.

The Excel Hull Stingrays are now down to just three fit defencemen with the confirmation that Paul Moran has been ruled out for the rest of the season with yet more shoulder problems.

After being forced to sit out two lengths of time already this season Moran injured his shoulder, which he has had problems with for a number of years now, for a third time against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday.

Moran, who recorded 11 assists in 30 games for the Stingrays after moving from Belfast in the summer, will undergo career saving surgery in the next few months which could make him the third Excel Hull Stingrays defenceman to be ruled out for the rest of the season.

With Moran already ruled out, Troy Neumeier will begin skating on his torn knee ligament when he returns from Canada with a view to returning before the end of the season, whilst fellow Canadian Stuart Kerr is still awaiting an MRI scan on his potentially season ending knee strain.

This leaves the Stingrays with just two out and out defencemen in Aaron Wilson and Pavel Gomenyuk, and with forward Steve Slonina filling in on defence, the Stingrays face a mad rush to sign two replacement import defencemen and one British defencemen before the January 31st deadline.

It has already been confirmed that Rick Strachan attempted to sign former Coventry defenceman Corey LeClair before Nottingham beat him to it, whilst earlier in the season former Coventry and Manchester utility man KC Timmons was a touted as a possible defensive replacement for the team.

Meanwhile it is thought that the Rays are awaited the fallout of Nottingham signing two new defencemen. Many believe that hardman Rumun Ndur may yet be heading for the exits however he is currently injured and as a result has been de-registered for six games to make way for Corey LeClair and Juri Golicic.

One defenceman the Stingrays did sign, but has yet to ice for the team, is Richie Thornton. After being announced as a Stingrays player on 13th December it was thought that Thornton, who is apparently on a two-way contract between the Stingrays and Billingham of the ENL, was ill for his first Stingrays fixture that weekend against Edinburgh. Since then little has been said about the situation and a player that would be a perfect replacement for injured Moran.

Monday 5 January 2009

Mid-season report

With near enough half the season gone it's time for the F Block Blog mid term Excel Hull Stingrays report.
Stats as of 5th January 2009 with a total of 37 games played


Goalies

Curtis Cruickshank (35GP 89% SV PCT) C Despite injury concerns has missed just two games for the Stingrays. Solid with the odd mistake made up by game winning saves.

Andrew Jazsczyk (7GP 79.4% SV PCT) D Inexperienced netminder had few chances to ice in the Elite League. After a shake start has begun to look more confident between the pipes.

Defence

Troy Neumeier (18GP 1+5) B A leader on and off the ice Neumeier's experience has been vital to the Stingrays season despite a possible season ending injury.

Stuart Kerr (24GP 0+6) C+ Solid defensive defenceman who has had his season decimated by injury.

Steve Slonina (37GP 5+24) B+ Came into his own after reverting to defence early in the season, comes to play every night and provides the team with a puck carrying defenceman and a none stop worker.

Paul Moran (29GP 0+11) D Would normally provide cover but has been forced to play regular, and substantial, minutes, the result being more mistakes and, unfortunately, more shoulder injuries.

Aaron Wilson (27GP 1+9) C Goes about his job quietly, but also does what he has to do efficiently.

Pavel Gomenyuk (33GP 7+16) C+ Has made a brilliant comeback after a shocking 06/07 season. Solid on the puck, accurate shot and confident in the defensive zone, a welcome return to form.

Forwards

Lee Esders (37GP 3+4) C+ His commitment to the club and 100% effort on the ice is beginning to pay dividends with better and more consistent performances. Has already equaled last seasons points total in 30 less games.

Lee Mitchell (35GP 7+16) B Surely Great Britain calls? Gets better every year and currently sits just outside the top 10 British point scorers in the Elite League.

James Cooke (37GP 0+6) D Began on poor form but has begun to lift his game with energetic performances in recent weeks.

Matt Reynolds (37GP 19+24) B- No surprise to fans or himself, Reynolds is cruising at point a game, one of the players the Stingrays are thankful they have and the type of player they can rarely keep hold of.

Jeff Glowa (37GP 21+18) B+ Having a surprise career year in the Elite League with 21 goals so far, committed to the club and that shows in his effort on game nights.

Jamie Thompson (21GP 8+2) D+ Slow start but is gradually beginning to prove his goalscoring pedigree in the Elite League.

Konstantin Kalmikov (25GP 12+17) B+ More skill than you can shake a stick at. Amazing shot. Standout player.

Slava Koulikov (16GP 3+6) C- Season blighted by injury so far, hopefully a new year can bring him fitness and a chance to show what he can do.

Jason Kostadine (37GP 10+11) C A true agitator. Gritty, gobby, niggly and has chipped in with a very welcome 20+ points.

MIA
Rick Kozak (5GP 3+1) B+ What could have been?
Jake Riddle (9GP 2+2) D Talent but no application in what should have been an exciting second year with the team.
Jonathan Bernier (4GP 0+0) D Poor positioning, trying to be the player he wasn't.

Highlights of the Stingrays first ever point in Sheffield



Footage from Steelers TV

Sunday 4 January 2009

Sunday 4th January: Rays find a way to win....somehow

Excel Hull Stingrays 4-3 Basingstoke Bison

The Excel Hull Stingrays snatched their first two plus point weekend of the season with a last gasp Konstantin Kalmikov goal sealing victory over the Basingstoke Bison.

Without Paul Moran, as well as fellow defencemen Troy Neumeier and Stuart Kerr, the Stingrays faced a Basingstoke side minus number one netminder Kevin Reiter, who was replaced by Peterborough Phantoms netminder Ewan King.

The optimism that may have first swept over Rays fans, after an encouraging overtime loss against Sheffield, was quickly dispatched by a Bison powerplay goal after just two minutes, this despite early pressure from the Stingrays.

From there on in it was not easy viewing for home fans as the Bison executed a near perfect road trip, holding a 1-0 lead into the second before extending that lead near the end of the second through Trevor Read. Separating two woeful periods from the Stingrays came a Jason Kostadine and Mike Olynyk fight, with the latter ending up on the wrong side of a beating. The fight being one of very sparse bright points from the Stingrays in the opening two periods.

The third period began with more of the same, the Stingrays continued to look for that first goal past debutant King whilst the Bison held steady with good team defence. The 41st minute saw the Stingrays finally fire past the Bison netminder as Slava Koulikov slotted home his first goal since return from injury.

The Bison quickly responded to the set back with a goal from Greg Chambers restoring their two goal lead just two minutes later, once again this season the Stingrays failed to use the momentum of a comeback goal.

Another two minutes later and another twist, or two, as the Bison found themselves in penalty trouble with a five on three. The Stingrays used the momentum this time with Jeff Glowa slotting into an unguarded back post before Matt Reynolds leveled the scores at three with an opportune short side goal again on the powerplay, one netminder King would want back. Reynolds goal sealed the second time in two games that the Stingrays had capitalised on a five on three with two goals in less than a minute after a similar turn of events in Sheffield on Saturday night began the Stingrays comeback.

The Stingrays began to swarm forward but after a number of opportunities to take the lead it was the Bison who were handed a golden opportunity to take two points as Greg Chambers skated through to a breakaway.

Less than thirty seconds, and a Cruickshank save on Chambers, later the Stingrays scored through a one time Konstantin Kalmikov shot. With less than 11 ticks remaining on the clock it was a harsh end to a good road performance for the Bison who fell two points behind the Stingrays in the loss and a somewhat lucky win for the Stingrays who only really turned up for the third, and final, period.

Best Moment- Konstantin Kalmikov's late late late one timer to seal a fortutus victory. Jason Kostadine easily fending off Mike Olynyk in their fight. Curtis Cruickshank denying Greg Chambers on a breakaway with less than 60 seconds left.

Worst Moment- Every single second of the first two periods (other than maybe Kostadine's fight).

F Block MOM
Stingrays- Curtis Cruickshank (25 shots/3 goals) -if only for denying Chambers 1-on-1 with less than 60 seconds remaining.

Bison- Ewan King (51 shots/4 goals)- Had a very solid game, would want maybe one or two of the goals back but faced 50+ shots and gave the Bison every chance for the two points.

Stingrays Verdict- (3/10)- A horrible first two periods for the Stingrays gave the Bison, who played a Strachan esque road game, a huge chance to take the two points and lead over the Stingrays in ninth place, fortunately Konstantin Kalmikov, who played yet another solid game, popped up to save the Rays. Other than fire shots literally at Bison netminder King at any available chance, the Stingrays did very little in the first or second to stimulate fans, in fact when they went 2-0 down at the end of the second most thought that was the end of the game, even the season.

Thankfully they just about reappeared for the third period and somehow took the points. Once again Kalmikov, Reynolds and Slonina were at the heart of the turnaround in the third. Curtis Cruickshank's breakaway save on Greg Chambers with less than a minute to go was game breaking as was, fairly obviously, Kalmikov's one timer with 11 seconds left. Not a great performance by the Rays, in fact they were mostly awful until two goals in 50 seconds on the powerplay turned the game on its head. Credit must go to the three defencemen, Slonina, Wilson and Gomenyuk, who rotated between themselves on defence in what must have been an exhausting night.

A worrying performance but a pleasing result, isn't that what great teams do? Maybe so, and of course the Rays aren't a great team, but they will need more of these poor performances leading to good results if they are to make the playoffs.

Strachan's Verdict- "It was a huge weekend for us. We have been playing decent hockey and not getting the results. But we battled hard in both games and when that goal went in, you could see the confidence of the guys in their faces. I have never seen them that happy. "

SOG: 51-25
PIM: 7-45

Saturday 3 January 2009

Saturday 3rd January: Rays come back from three down against league leaders to take a point

Sheffield Steelers 4-3 Excel Hull Stingrays OT

The Excel Hull Stingrays picked up their first ever point in Sheffield against a Steelers side five points clear at the top of the Elite League table.

After a scoreless first period the Steelers hit three quick goals at the beggining of the second before the Stingrays replied with two powerplay goals in less than 30 seconds from Pavel Gomenyuk and Matt Reynolds.

The Stingrays pushed to get something from the game and they managed to salvage at least a point with Reynolds slotting home his second of the night. Time ran down and in doing so the Stingrays earned their first ever point in Sheffield against the Steelers.

Unfortunately for the Rays they could not convert that point into two as Jeff Legue scored in overtime to give the Steelers the extra point. This point, and the overtime loss against Belfast last weekend, gave the Stingrays two points out of four against two of the Elite League title challengers and at the same time hauled the Stingrays back onto level points with Basingstoke in ninth place, a Bison side that the Rays face in Hull tomorrow night.

SOG: 42-27
PIM: 12-12

Thursday 1 January 2009

3rd/4th Weekend Preview

V
Saturday 3rd January: Sheffield Steelers (1st) v Excel Hull Stingrays (10th) @ Ice Sheffield, F/O 7PM
Sunday 4th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (10th) v Basingstoke Bison (9th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6PM

Form
Stingrays- L L L L L
Sheffield- W W W W W
Basingstoke- L L L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Sheffield
27/09/08 3-7 L A
04/10/08 2-5 L H
02/11/08 1-2 L H

v Basingstoke
06/12/08 5-1 W A
07/12/08 6-8 L H
27/12/08 4-5 L A

Player Watch
Stingrays- Steve Slonina (35GP 5+22)- Scored a goal from defence in each of the Stingrays goals last weekend. Since scoreless streak in his first six games has scored 27 points in 29 games.

Sheffield- Joey Talbot (32GP 22+14)- Leads the team in scoring and sits joint second in the league in goalscoring. Is on a point streak of ten games whilst he also scored goals in each of the Steelers crunch clashes against Nottingham last week.

Basingstoke- Danny Stewart (33GP 22+16)- Has scored six goals and four assists in five games against the Stingrays and is on a current point streak of five games.

Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn ligament), Stuart Kerr (doubtful;knee)
Sheffield- Nathan Gillies (elbow)
Basingstoke- Kevin Reiter (ankle)

Other News
- The Stingrays face the Bison for the sixth time out of seven this season on Sunday with the series currently at 3-2 to the Bison after a 5-4 victory last weekend.

- The Stingrays injruy worries are beginning to subside with speculation in the Hull Daily Mail that they would be up to full strength within a number of weeks. Stuart Kerr is awaiting the results of an MRI to see if he will play again this season whilst Troy Neumeiers torn knee ligament is not likely to be season ending as once he returns he will be available to skate but not train with the team.

- Meanwhile coach Rick Strachan has confirmed that should either player be ruled out for the rest of the season he would sign a replacement defenceman and not forward as speculated, meaning Steve Slonina will revert back from defence, where he has been flawless, to forward.

- Whilst the Bison have signed defenceman Robert Pospisil and forward Mike Olynck the Bison are still three imports below the allowed 11. With standout netminder Kevin Reiter out injured the Bison will be down to seven imports for this weekends fixtures.

Predictions
Sheffield 4-1 Stingrays
Stingrays 5-2 Basingstoke