In an improved display the Excel Hull Stingrays lost out by four goals to two against league leading, and probable league champions, the Sheffield Steelers, who extended their winning streak to 12 games in the process.
The Rays got off to the start they wish they had gotten off to the previous night as Steve Slonina set up Matt Reynolds on the powerplay for his first goal since a five week injury layoff.
Mark Thomas then responded with a rare goal for the Steelers during the second period before Jamie Thompson capitalised on a Brad Cruikshank penalty to score his first goal in ten games just under two minutes into the final period.
The league leading Steelers than showed their true grit and determination to end a four year spell without an Elite League title, as consecutive goals from Brad Cruikshank, Joey Talbot and an empty net goal from Doug Sheppard ended any Stingrays resistance.
Despite the defeat, the manner of the loss will bring a little encouragement to a Stingrays camp that was shot to pieces just 24 hours earlier at home to the Cardiff Devils.
The Rays remain one point behind the eight placed Edinburgh Capitals after the Caps lost their second game of the weekend to the Coventry Blaze and all attentions now turn to next weekends games against Belfast and Nottingham, with hope of providing two more surprises against sides they have beaten this season.
Strachan said: "We started the weekend one point behind Edinburgh, who are in the last play-off spot, and we've finished it a point behind. It's a case of who can pick up points over the next four weekends will make the play-offs.
"If we'd played last night like we played on Saturday I would have thought 'oh my God', but last night we played probably our most solid hockey game of the year, so I have no qualms with the way we played.
"Why the change from Saturday to Sunday? If I knew that I wouldn't be talking to you. For whatever reason we just didn't play on Saturday. I've looked at the game tape from Saturday and we made mistakes we have not made since day one of the season."
SOG: 33-27PIM: 10-14
Playoff Race:
8th- Edinburgh GP45, W 12, OTL6, L27, GF140, GA213, GDIFF -73, PTS 30
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9th- Stingrays GP45, W 12, OTL5, L28, GF115, GA198, GDIFF -83, PTS 29
