Davies the star as Devils beat Rays in high scoring Halloween clash

Excel Hull Stingrays 5-7 Cardiff Devils

A fine individual display from British forward Matty Davies was not enough to spur the Excel Hull Stingrays to their first victory in seven games, as they went down by seven goals to five at home to the Cardiff Devils on Halloween.

Highlights:


Stingrays Stats
Stats: Davies 2+1, Huppe, Glowa Halkidis 1+0, Cloutier, Kalmikov, Sanford 0+1.
Sandahl: 32 shots, 7 goals
Jazscyzk: 7 shots, 0 goals
SOG: 32-40
PIM: 8-10

Good
Matty Davies fine performance, George Halkidis looking like the kind of solid, commanding defenceman required, five goals scored by the Rays, a good effort given the number of injuries to the side.

Bad
One or two players looking like they could be easily replaced, failing to get the win over an inexperienced backup netminder, Sandahl allowing seven goals.

F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Matty Davies (2+1) The young Brit has come so far in such a little amount of time so far this season. After spending much of his time on the bench in early season, he pounced on his chance with two assists against Coventry when given a regular shift by Sylvain Cloutier. He continued in that vein of form and may have forced Cloutier's hand with regards to the under performing Slava Koulikov, who was promptly released two weeks ago. This performance will further solidify his place in the team and more performances like it will see the rest of the British game take note. Two lovely top shelf finishes, a very tasty setup pass and a brilliantly commanding performance for someone so young, even if it may have been a 'meaningless' tie, Davies shone.

Cardiff: Matt Miller (3+0) The Canadian, signed pre-season from the CHL after a stint in Basingstoke, has been the surprise package for the Devils so far this season, notching a team leading 13 goals, good for second in the league, and a joint team leading 25 points. Three accomplished finishes for Miller handed the Devils what, in the end, was an easy victory, preventing the Rays from ending their win drought.

Stingrays Verdict: 5/10
A few of the Stingrays ranks should probably be quite worried, this was a distinctly average performance all around, Matty Davies aside. After churning out daily press releases saying 60 minutes is required from one-and-all, few have delivered on that requirement.

Sylvain Cloutier, Craig Mitchell and Jeff Glowa are three players that give 100% week-in-week-out, Konstantin Kalmikov and Matty Davies showed they have the ability to give the team the spark needed, while George Halkidis has the desire to succeed and looks a good acquisition. Although not exclusively, many of those not named are big worries.

Unpleasantries aside, the Rays managed to put in an entertaining performance, albeit against a backup netminder in a 'meaningless' game with a shortened roster. It is not a huge surprise that when you have four first team players out, you struggle, but they will soon be back to full strength and then all eyes will be on Hull to pull up some trees.

In this game they looked really quite threatening during just two periods of play, the opening ten and around the final ten minutes, that isn't good enough, injuries or not. Now it is down to the bread and butter, the Elite League, where the team really really need a run of results.

Cloutier's Comments

"I am disappointed. We need a win and when you score five goals it should be enough to win any game. But I am pleased for Matty. He's playing well at the moment and he is taking his chance."

Davies the star as Devils beat Rays in highscoring Haloween clash

Excel Hull Stingrays 5-7 Cardiff Devils

More soon...

31st October/1st November Weekend Preview

Saturday 31st October: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Cardiff Devils (3rd) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm (Challenge Cup)
Sunday 1st November: Newcastle Vipers (5th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Metro Radio Arena, F/O 5.30pm

Form
Stingrays: L L L L PSL
Cardiff: W W W L W
Newcastle: L L L L W

Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
12/09/09 4-2 W H
13/09/09 5-2 L A
26/09/09 4-1 L A

v Newcastle
24/01/09 2-3 L A
25/01/09 4-2 W H
07/02/09 2-1 W H

Season Series
v Cardiff: 1-2, 2 points, 7 GF, 11 GA
v Newcastle: 3-3, 7 points, 16GF, 19GA (Last Season)

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Adam Knight (10GP 0+1 100 PIM)
Cardiff: Brad Voth (11GP 7+6 84 PIM)
Newcastle: Mike Berry (16GP 9+9 16 PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (15GP, 90.4 sv%, 4.21 GAA)
Cardiff: Michael Crisp (Debut)
Newcastle: Michel Robinson (16GP, 91.4sv%, 3.27 GAA )

Absentees
Stingrays: James Hutchinson (broken hand), Pavel Gomenyuk (broken rib), Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee), Jason Silverthorn (broken jaw)
Cardiff: Full Strength
Newcastle: Full Strength

Predictions
Stingrays 5-4 Cardiff
Newcastle 4-2 Stingrays

Koulikov Jets off

After being released by Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier, 31 year old forward Slava Koulikov has today been snapped up by the Slough Jets of the English Premier League (EPL).

Koulikov, who registered just three points in 11 games this season, was axed by Cloutier alongside import forward Matt Reynolds, with the pair paying the price for the Rays terrible start to the season, which had seen them lose nine of their opening 11 fixtures.

The Rays poor form has continued, extending that record to 13 losses in 15 games, but Koulikov has now found a new home at the Hanger with the Jets flying high, just three points off the top spot but in fifth place.

Speaking on the capture of the 'Elite League experienced' Koulikov, Jets coach Peter Russell said:

“I believe we needed another skilled forward and hence my reasoning for making the change. We have a lot of power in our team and another highly skilled guy like Slava will only make us a stronger all-round team.”

Earlier this week the Berkshire based side released former Stingrays forward James Knight to make way for Russian-born-Brit Koulikov, despite Knight recording four points in Jets two games last weekend.

Knight, in his second season away from the Stingrays, where he bagged 23 points in 109 games after being picked up from North America by former coach Rick Strachan in 06/07, has four goals and ten points to his name so far this season and is currently without a club after his release on Monday morning.

Last season he impressed many in the EPL, scoring 20 goals and adding 43 assists in 50 games with the now dormant Telford Tigers, and it is thought the big power forward will not be without a club for long.

Meanwhile, Reynolds, released at the same time as Koulikov, has signed for an, as yet, unnamed side in the French top flight.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-8 Belfast Giants

Point in Scotland not enough to keep Rays from bottom spot

Edinburgh Capitals 3-2 Excel Hull Stingrays (After Shootout)

The Excel Hull Stingrays claimed just their sixth point of the Elite League season, and their first in five games, with an penalty shootout loss in Edinburgh.

The Stingrays fell behind by two goals midway through the second, thanks to goals from Owen Fussey and new signing Jeff Hutchins, before Sylvain Cloutier's side were once again forced to fight back.

Konstantin Kalmikov netted yet another and George Halkidis scored his first goal in his second appearance for the team as the understrength Rays forced overtime on the home side.

A goalless extra five minutes ensued before penalty shot misses from James Sanford, Konstantin Kalmikov and Curtis Huppe allowed Simon Lambert to snatch the second shootout win of the weekend for Edinburgh.

In losing, the Rays fell into bottom spot in the Elite League, one point behind the Capitals, who beat Sheffield in a shootout last night, having played five more games.

SOG: 34-27
PIM: 10-10

Rays knocked out of Challenge Cup in Blaze loss

Excel Hull Stingrays 3-5 Coventry Blaze

The Excel Hull Stingrays were mathematically eliminated from the Elite League Challenge Cup with a 5-3 loss at home to the Coventry Blaze.

Goals from forwards Curtis Huppe, Sylvain Cloutier and Konstantin Kalmikov were not enough to earn the Rays a much needed victory, in a game that saw the Blaze ice their backup netminder Tom Murdy.

Doubles from Adam Calder, Brian Lee and a lone Joe Henry goal handed the Blaze, who are also mathematically out of the Challenge Cup, the victory.

Without Lee and Craig Mitchell, Pavel Gomenyuk and James Hutchinson, one positive from the game, aside from the constantly improving team performance, was the appearance of youngster Thomas Jefferies, who impressed in front of home fans after joining from the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday to boost the Rays numbers.

SOG: 41-48
PIM: 8-6

24th/25th October Weekend Preview

V

Saturday 24th October: Excel Hull Stingrays (7th) v Coventry Blaze (4th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm (Challenge Cup)

Sunday 25th October: Edinburgh Capitals (8th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (7th), F/O 6.30pm

Form
Stingrays: W OTL L L L
Coventry: L W W W L
Edinburgh: L W L L L

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
08/03/09 1-4 W A
20/09/09 4-2 L A
17/10/09 5-4 L A

v Edinburgh
22/03/09 5-8 L H
19/09/09 2-9 L H
03/10/09 4-1 W H

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-2, 6 GF, 9 GA
v Edinburgh: 1-1, 6 GF, 10 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: George Halkidis (Debut) Another weekend, another debut for the Stingrays as defenceman Halkidis joins a week after the arrival of Jason Silverthorn. For both his and the Stingrays sake, it will be hoped that his debut lasts a little longer than Silverthorn's 40 minutes. Halkidis has had three good years in Italy and, although he had a year out to recover from major shoulder surgery last year, it is another body for a continually frail looking squad.

Coventry: Luke Fulghum (12GP 6+8) The former Manchester forward, who last season combined with Tony Hand for 34 goals and 84 points in 67 games, registered the game winning goal as the Blaze came from behind to beat the Rays last Saturday. He is currently one of Paul Thompson's in-form player, with at least a point in his last seven games, during which period he has bagged 12 points.

Edinburgh: Simon Lambert (8 GP 4+9) After starting the season with a hat-trick in the Caps 9-2 thrashing of the Stingrays, the goals have largely dried up for Lambert with just one in the following seven games. The Capitals will need his goals if they are to end a tough patch of form, but the signing of Jeff Hutchins will bring them back towards full strength and make them, once again, a tough opponent.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (13GP, 4.33GAA, 90.2 sv%) The Swede was peppered with 90 shots in two games last weekend, including 48 in Coventry's tight come-from-behind win over the Rays. After having eight goals fired past him on Sunday at home to Belfast, Sandahl will want to hit back with victories over the Blaze and Capitals this weekend.

Coventry: Tom Murdy (Debut) The 18 year old Brit will make his competitive debut for the Blaze in relief of Peter Hirsch, who Paul Thompson has decided to rest with his side all but out of the Challenge Cup. He was signed from the Whitley Warriors in the summer to replace Stephen Fone and the young prospect is certain to face a tough first start, with the Rays desperate to make the semis.

Edinburgh: Cody Rudkowski (8GP, 4GAA, 89 sv%) Rudkowski, impressive in the first handful of Capitals games this season, has tailed off in line with the Scottish sides dip in form in recent weeks. With just eight imports in front of him, the Canadian let his frustrations get the better of him last weekend, fighting Belfast forward Pat Bateman in the third period. Prior to his scrap he had allowed seven goals as the Giants hit eight or more goals for the first of two times in the weekend.

Absentees
Stingrays: Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee), Jason Silverthorn (doubt; broken jaw), James Hutchinson (broken hand), Pavel Gomenyuk (fractured rib)
Coventry: Danny Stewart (doubt; broken toe), Tom Watkins (doubt; lower body), Derek Campbell (doubt; rib), Dan Carlson (doubt; personal reasons)
Edinburgh: Doug Christiansen (broken patella)

News
- The Stingrays third mid-season signing, George Halkidis, will make his debut against the Blaze on Saturday night after a year out due to surgery. The Canadian, who has Greek heritage, was signed after initially joining Port Huron and replaces Pavel Gomenyuk in the lineup after the Ukrainian was ruled out for five-to-six weeks with a fractured rib, sustained against Coventry last weekend.

- Edinburgh will hand a second debut to Jeff Hutchins following his signing this week. After failing to sign a tenth import, the long-term injury to Doug Christiansen in the Caps first game of the season in Hull left the team with just eight imports for the first month of the season. However, following his timely release from Sheffield, Hutchins has agreed to return to Scotland, where he last season recorded eight points in six games before leaving for Newcastle. He currently holds the record for icing for the most EIHL sides, with his stint in Sheffield seeing him ice for five of eight top flight teams.

- The Stingrays are still not mathematically knocked out of the EIHL Challenge Cup. They face two must-win ties against Coventry (this Saturday) and Cardiff (next Saturday), while they must also hope that Cardoff lose their other fixture in the competition if they are to qualify for the semis. The Rays have never progressed past the group stage of this competition in their three year Elite League stint and, although the injury curse will not help the club's cause, whether they win or not, they will look to use these fixtures to regain some much needed momentum.

- The Blaze will be resting starting netminder Peter Hirsch on Saturday and giving 18 year old back up Tom Murdy the start.

Predictions
Stingrays 2-3 Coventry
Edinburgh 2-4 Stingrays

Another injury for the helpless Stingrays

With Lee Mitchell, Pavel Gomenyuk and Jason Silverthorn already sitting on the sidelines with injuries, it has today been confirmed that British defenceman James Hutchinson will be out for four weeks with a broken hand, taking the Stingrays casualty list to four.

The 25 year old defenceman, signed in the summer from EPL side Peterborough, has had a solid, if unspectacular, start to the season, recording just two assists in 15 games, but his injury will put yet more strain on a creaking Stingrays side that is bereft of any kind of form.

Minus Gomenyuk and Hutchinson, the Rays blue line lacks strength and solidity, and although George Halkidis has been drafted in to give the team a bit more backbone in front of Tommy Sandahl, it will surely take a week or so for the Canadian to get used to Elite hockey after a year out of the game.

Injury wise, it isn't that much better upfront. Although Lee Mitchell, could conceivably return this weekend, and Jason Silverthorn, could return with a full faced visor next weekend, Jeff Glowa continues to feel the after effects of an early season hit from Cardiff's Tylor Michel, while coach Cloutier and Konstantin Kalmikov are both playing through niggling injuries.

Perhaps the only benefit of such an injury curse is that Cloutier is able to use injuries as a smokescreen to bring in new imports, that, casualties aside, could help the Stingrays turn their form around.

With Gomenyuk out for at least another four weeks, the Rays coach has plenty of time to consider his roster before yet more re-shuffles, although, eventually, financial constraints will surely limit his chances to change the side.

Cloutier spoke of his disbelief at the number of injuries sustained so far this term:

"It’s been non-stop, every week there seems to be something. In 15 years of pro hockey I have never seen it this bad. It is very frustrating but we just have to battle through it."

Halkidis boosts Stingrays defensive corps

Sylvain Cloutier and the Excel Hull Stingrays have boosted their defensive ranks, following injury to Pavel Gomenyuk and major fitness doubts over James Hutchinson, with the signing of offensive defenceman George Halkidis.

The 27 year old started this season in the IHL with Port Huron, after sitting out last season to make a full recovery from a shoulder injury, but left the club before making an appearance.

The Ontario native, from the same town as fellow Rays defenceman Stephen Burns, has had previous point scoring success during three seasons in the Italian top flight and a 29 point haul from 43 CHL games in 06/07 and, although a risk, is seen as a marked improvement on what the Cloutier already has at his disposal.

In three season's in the Italian Serie A, split between HC Fassa, Ritten/Rennon and Alleghe, Halkidis scored 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points from 104 games and gained a reputation as a solid defenceman that was capable of chipping offensively.

Prior to making his professional debut in 2003-04, with Peoria of the ECHL, the Canadian, who is part Greek, had a successful junior career.

The four junior years of his career saw him record nearly 100 points, and they came to a climax in 02/03, as he went all the way in the pinnacle of junior hockey in Canada.

The 6'1 blueliner added a goal and 15 assists in 21 playoff games as his Kitchenner Rangers side went all the way to become the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup champions.

Although concerns may be raised over his fitness after a year out due to a shoulder injury, the Canadian has a certain pedigree that the Rays defence looked to lack in early pre-season. The three years spent in Europe indicate that he can handle the change in lifestyle and culture, while his career year in 06/07 in the CHL shows he can put up points and has the know-how to improve the team.

He should make his Stingrays debut this weekend in games against Coventry and Edinburgh, and Sylvain Cloutier is confident that he will have the ability to help the side get out of their current rough patch:

"He will definitely improve our back-end, he is a solid two-way defenceman and he will be able to jump into the play and be creative. I have been told he is just as good as [James] Sanford defensively and also is very strong so he will be a big plus for us

"He is an offensive defenceman and he is going to be a big help. He is going to bring some experience and leadership and some fresh blood into the room and from talking to him he believes in what we are trying to do here. He wants to come and help."

With so many injuries, the Stingrays may yet may more roster moves, although it is possible that those injuries begin to clear up somewhat. Jason Silverthorn may return next weekend, complete with a full face visor or cage, after he broke his jaw on debut last weekend, while Lee Mitchell is edging closer to a return to the ice following a longer than expected layoff for his knee injury.

Giants rip through hapless Stingrays

Excel Hull Stingrays 2-8 Belfast Giants

The Belfast Giants condemned the Excel Hull Stingrays to their fourth pointless weekend of the season with an embarrassing six goal defeat at the Hull Arena.

In front of Sky cameras, the Stingrays found themselves down by six goals with less than five minutes remaining in the game before Sylvain Cloutier and Konstantin Kalmikov finally hit the twine with consolation goals for the Rays. However, the Giants hit two further goals to complete the embarrassment for Cloutier's men.

One of the few highlights of the night for home fans was the tussle between the Stingrays Adam Knight and Sean McMorrow, of the Giants, with the two tough guys fighting out two entertaining scraps as the Northern Irish side cruised to victory.

The result will pose further questions over the makeup of Cloutier's squad. Not just for the defence, which conceded eight goals, but also the offence, which failed to hit the net until the 57th minute, and, although they were without Jason Silverthorn, Lee Mitchell and Pavel Gomenyuk, this result will surely be deemed unaccepted by player-coach Cloutier, despite a couple of encouraging losses in recent weeks.

SOG: 42-38
PIM: 14-28

Stingrays injury curse continues

The Excel Hull Stingrays injury curse, which has plagued the team since their arrival in the Elite League four years ago, has continued

Following the news that Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk will sit out the next five weeks, comes the news that the curse has struck again with forward Jason Silverthorn ruled out after breaking his jaw in his debut last night against Coventry

While the Rays were without just Gomenyuk and Lee Mitchell last night, James Hutchinson, Konstantin Kalmikov and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier shook off niggles to play.

The latest injury to Silverthorn, which has kept him out of tonight's game at home to Belfast after he recorded a goal and an assist in his debut last night, comes a week before the expected re-arrival of Lee Mitchell, who has missed the beginning of the season after a knee injury in the summer.

Cloutier has so far been very open to the idea of changing the team up and bringing in players during injury layoffs, as was seen when James Sanford was brought in during Ryan Jorde's broken arm, and it is thought he may well plump for that tactic once again.

Stingrays burnt by Blaze

Coventry Blaze 5-4 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays came from two goals down to lead the Coventry Blaze before the Skydome side hit back with two more goals to win the game with just under ten minutes remaining.

The home Blaze opened the scoring after just over a minute, as Danny Stewart beat Tommy Sandahl in the Stingrays net for the first of five goals for Paul Thompson's men. However, Stingrays forward Jason Silverthorn, making his third Elite League debut, quickly pegged the Blaze back in the eighth minute with a powerplay strike.

Adam Calder, on the powerplay, and Russ Cowley opened up a 3-1 lead but the Stingrays finally hit their stride in the 24th minute, with goals from Curtis Huppe, assisted by debutant Silverthorn, Konstantin Kalmikov and Jeff Gllowa coming in the second period to give them a one goal lead.

A minute into the third the Blaze leveled the scores, thanks to Greg Owen, before Fulghum scored after 51 minutes to seal a deserved two points for Coventry, as they out shot the Rays 48 to 34.

SOG: 48-34
PIM: 4-16

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 1-4 Sheffield Steelers

16th/17th October Weekend Preview

V

Saturday 17th October: Coventry Blaze (4th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (7th) @ Coventry Skydome, F/O 7pm

Sunday 18th October: Excel Hull Stingrays (7th) v Belfast Giants (3rd) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L L W OTL L
Coventry: W L L W W
Belfast: W D L W PSL

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
31/01/09 2-6 L H
08/03/09 1-4 W A
20/09/09 4-2 L A

v Belfast
28/02/09 8-6 L A
08/09/09 2-3 L H
23/09/09 4-0 L A

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-1, 2 GF, 4 GA
v Belfast: 0-2, 2 GF, 7 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Jason Silverthorn (Debut) The Canadian will be making his debut for the Stingrays this weekend primarily in the relief of Matt Reynolds, who was let go by Sylvain Cloutier. He has 150 points in three Elite League season's and will be required to fill the net for the goal shy Stingrays. With 19, 25 and 21 goal season's for Edinburgh and Cardiff respectively, it is more than likely he will fill, at least part of, the void for Cloutier.

Coventry: Greg Chambers (10GP 7+10) After initial doubts about the dual nationals weight and the pressure he will be under to perform, unlike his time in Basingstoke, he has settled in well to the new surroundings of the Skydome. Last weekend he recorded two goals and three assists as the Blaze rediscovered their form against Nottingham and Sheffield.

Belfast: Tom Walsh (12GP 0+1) The defenceman was brought in with a reputation as a offensive defenceman, after a year in the AHL in 07/08 where he scored 36 points in 76 games, however he has yet to replicate that form in Northern Ireland. With just one assist to his name, his form from his spell in the Finnish top flight last season, where he recorded just four assists in 30 games, seems to be continuing. Needless to say, the Giants will be hoping he re-finds his AHL form, and soon.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (11GP, 91.1sv %, 3.9GAA) Another solid weekend from the Swede as he stopped 34 of 37 shots fired on him during games against the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers. Week on week he is improving, so hopefully, sooner or later, the players in front of him will provide him with better figures than 2-9 win-loss record that he current owns.

Coventry: Peter Hirsch (10GP, 91.1sv%, 2.9GAA) After tussling at opposite ends last season, Hirsch is in another numbers battle with Rays netminder Tommy Sandahl. The Stingrays netminder won out last year, but Hirsch, who has impressively led the Blaze from the rear this year, has a superior goals against average this term by one full goal. He has been on of the top EIHL netties so far this year.

Belfast: Stephen Murphy (9GP, 91.5 sv%, 2.88 GAA) Fears over a summer injury to his knee have been allayed by a solid start to the season personally. After missing a couple of games early doors, he took over from Nathan Craze with relative ease and, although the Giants are yet to hit top form, it is through a lack of goals scored, rather than goals against.

Absentees
Stingrays: Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee), Pavel Gomenyuk (doubt; back)
Coventry: Full Strength
Belfast: George Awada (shoulder)

News
- Saturday will see the debut of Canadian forward Jason Silverthorn, following the departure of Matt Reynolds. The 30 year old will be making his third Elite League debut after spells with Edinburgh and Cardiff. He started the season in the ECHL with Johnstown but was released by the Cheifs a week ago.

- Pavel Gomenyuk and Lee Mitchell are both doubts for this game. Gomenyuk has been struggling with a back injury, whilst Mitchell continues his battle for fitness after a knee injury put him out of the Rays opening Elite League fixtures.

- The Belfast Giants have had some trouble finding a replacement for long term injury worry George Awada. Veteran Awada is expected to be out for a number of months after injuring his shoulder on opening night against Nottingham and the Giants had replaced him with Bobby Robins, who signed a contract to return to Northern Ireland, after spending the season there last year. However, after signing on the dotted line, Robins backed out and joined a team in the Austrian top flight. There had been speculation that Jeff Hutchins, just released by Sheffield, would make a temporary return, however Hutchins next destination, which may yet be the Stingrays, has not yet been revealed.

Predictions
Coventry 4-2 Stingrays
Stingrays 4-3 Belfast

It's curtains for Reynolds and Koulikov as Silverthorn signs

Sylvain Cloutier has today followed up on his promise to change things around if his side's fortunes failed to improve, with the signing of forward Jason Silverthorn and release of import Matt Reynolds and Russian-born-Brit Slava Koulikov.

Silverthorn, 30, had been signed to a contract in the ECHL with the Johnstown Chiefs, however, they released him last Friday after just a couple of appearances, conveniently allowing Cloutier to sign up the former Edinburgh and Cardiff forward after the Stingrays shocking start to the season, which has seen them win just two games and claim just five points in 11 matches.

After such an unexpectedly bad start to the season, something had to give, and Slava Koulikov and Matt Reynolds combined contribution of two goals and eight points in the club's opening 11 fixtures was deemed unacceptable by Sylvain Cloutier.

Koulikov, who was the only remaining original Stingray from the team's inaugural 03/04 season, was constantly linked with a departure, mainly due to his work ethic, or lack of, but after recording just three points so far this season, Cloutier has seen enough of the forward

The 31 year old did actually leave the club briefly in 07/08 for a fresh start under Steve Thornton, only to return 20 games later after Basingstoke's financial issues. Unfortunately for the Rays, he returned the same player, with an apparent lack of work ethic masking his potential to be a premium British forward, preferring instead to settle for mediocrity with his hometown Stingrays.

It will come as no surprise that his best figures goalscoring wise came in the inaugural season in 03/04, where he netted 18 times, and looked to have some fire under his belly, and in the same way his exit from the Hull Arena is also not surprising.

Following his departure, he sits behind just Jeff Glowa in the Stingrays all-time appearances chart, with 230 games under his belt, and, despite his drawbacks, he managed put up a creditable 67 goals and 119 assists in seven years with the club.

Meanwhile, Canadian forward Reynolds was also released by the determined Cloutier, after opening the season with just one goal, whilst showing none of the hard nosed grit that Cloutier expected of him in the summer.

After joining from a championship winning IHL side in Fort Wayne, Reynolds was a surprisingly big part of the team last season under Rick Strachan, recording career highs in goals (22), assists (33) and points (55) last year.

This season he has been devoid of any of the spark of last season and, although he opened the season with three points in four games, he followed that up with just one point in the next six games. For a team that is struggling to find any consistency, coach Cloutier released Reynolds and quickly replaced him with a proven forward.

Replacing him is Owen Sound, Ontario native Jason Silverthorn, who last season played forward for EIHL rivals the Cardiff Devils, scoring just under a point a game with 21 goals and 33 assists in 55 games.

Prior to last season, Silverthorn had previous EIHL campaign's with the Devils, where he scored 57 points in 54 games, and the Edinburgh Capitals, in 06/07, when he scoring 39 points in 35 games.

As a prolific point scorer in the Elite League, he should be a more than adequate replacement for Reynolds, who was failing to replicate his form of last season, and, although the move shows Cloutier's desire for the team to improve, if we're to be critical, the decision to bring in a forward that also looks out of form, after his release from the ECHL, looks doubtful.

Nevertheless, a club statement outlined the delight at the signing and the, hopeful, improvement of the side following recent moves:

“We are delighted to be bringing in a player of Jason’s calibre. He knows the league very well, he scores goals, he can play on defence if called upon and he is very good on the special teams. We believe the signing of Jason Silverthorn and that of James Sanford last week has made us a better and stronger team and hopefully we can look forward to more success on the ice.”

Silverthorn is scheduled to immediately step into the side, making his debut on Saturday against Coventry before returning for his home debut on Sunday against the Belfast Giants.

The release of Koulikov leaves the Stingrays with little flexibility should the team lose a player to injury. However, once Pavel Gomenyuk and Lee Mitchell return to full fitness, Matty Davies has already proven that he can easily hold down a regular shift in the Elite League and, although he may not have the size, he has the speed and skill to continue on the Rays third line.

*Cardiff photos courtesy Official Cardiff Devils website

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 4-1 Edinburgh Capitals

Stingrays meet Steely resistance

Excel Hull Stingrays 1-4 Sheffield Steelers

The Stingrays were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline against a Sheffield Steelers side in front of the Sky cameras at the Hull Arena.

The Steelers, who had been struggling for league points of late, started with Rod Sarich on defence as cover for Scott Basiuk. Jeff Hutchins also played after recovering from an injury caused by a check from Newcastle Vipers defenceman Ryan Mahrle. Former Vipers netminder Andrew Verner made his second start for Sheffield, having shipped 4 goals in a defeat against Coventry the previous day. The Stingrays gave a home debut to new signing James Sanford on defence.

Sheffield began the game as the stronger team, and they received a gift wrapped opportunity after a poor line change from the Stingrays left Steelers sniper Joey Talbot all alone on a breakaway, only for him to squander his chance.

This did not perturb the Steelers, and they hit the twine on 6.19. After pressure in the Stingrays' zone, Brad Cruikshank's shot was saved, but Doug Sheppard was on hand to fully capitalise on Sandahl's rebound, calmly slotting home.

The next big opportunity fell to the home side as they quickly counter-attacked into the Steelers' zone. A cleverly disguised behind-the-back pass from Lee Esders left Kalmikov with only netminder Verner to beat, however the netminder made a superb save, stacking the pads to deny the Ukrainian.

Stingrays netminder Sandahl was also called into action on a regular occurrence. He had to be at his best after attempting to clear the puck out of the zone on the penalty kill, only to find a Steeler on the point, who forced Sandahl into another save.

The Steelers struck again on 16.38, this time on the powerplay, as a behind the net pass from the ever reliable Doug Sheppard found Hutchins on the door step, and his low shot found its way past Sandahl.

The beginning of the second period saw a big improvement from the Stingrays, and a miscued shot from Curtis Huppe left Andrew Verner out of position. A goalmouth scramble ensued, with the floundering netminder lucky to not concede.

That fortune was not to last long however as the Stingrays scored a powerplay goal on 24.21. A shot from the blue line was deflected by Kalmikov down low past a helpless Verner to half the deficit.

The Stingrays continued to apply pressure with an impressive shift from forwards Huppe, Knight and Cloutier, forcing a save from Verner soon after the goal.

Six minutes into the second period, Steelers forward Robert Dowd found himself in a 2-on-1 break, but he couldn't find a way past Sandahl in the Hull net.

Soon after, Kalmikov was denied by Verner for the second time in the match after his shot from the top of the left circle headed high glove side, however Verner was up to the challenge, as he disdainfully pouched the puck in his catcher.

An altercation broke out at 30.22 between Stingrays defenceman Stephen Burns and Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips. The two were battling behind the Stingrays' net, agitating each other enough to drop the gloves. Blows were exchanged, with Burns the marginal victor. Both were awarded 5 minute fighting penalties, with Burns picking up a separate minor for slashing, and Phillips a coincidental minor for roughing.

The Steelers ran into penalty trouble late in the second period, but their penalty killing units proved solid after killing a minute and a half of 5 on 3 time, maintaining their 2-1 lead going into the break

The third period began with a precise pass from Kalmikov finding Huppe with his back to goal just outside of the crease. A 'spinarama' effort from the Stingrays forward was well saved by Verner.

An elementary error from Matt Reynolds left the Steelers with a chance to go further ahead. The Stingrays forward attempted a pass across his own hash marks, only to find a Steelers forward, who, fortunately for Reynolds, was unable to capitalise.

The Steelers doubled the lead on the powerplay on 54.45, as good work from Joe Talbot and Sarich left Jeff Legue with a shooting lane to fire the puck from the blue line past Sandahl.

A late holding the stick penalty was called on Jason Hewitt by referee Marco Coenan, providing the Stingrays with a final chance to get back into the game. Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier called a time out, and netminder Sandahl was pulled to provide a 6 on 4 advantage. However despite gaining possession in the Steelers' zone, no real opportunities emerged for the Stingrays.

After the Stingrays eventually relinquished the puck, Jonathan Phillips finished the job with a calm empty net finish past a desperate Curtis Huppe to make the final score 1-4.

Stingrays Stats
- Huppe 1+0, Glowa, Kalmikov 0+1
- Sandahl: 38 shots, 3 goals
- SOG: 37-38
- PIM: 19-21

Best

Some promising offensive touches from new arrival James Sanford. Another good performance from Tommy Sandahl.

Worst

Defensive mistakes providing the Steelers with several gilt-edged chances. Referee Marco Coenan not blowing the whistle for a stoppage, despite a slap shot clattering into Tommy Sandahl's mask, leaving Stingrays fans (and Sandahl) furious.

F Block Blog MOM

Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (38 shots, 3 goals against) A good performance from the Swede, who was always likely to be tested by Steelers forwards. Kept the scoreline close throughout the game, and covered for defensive errors on multiple occasions.

Steelers: Andrew Verner (37 shots, 1 goal against) The new signing bounced back from a 4-1 defeat on Saturday to help his team reverse the scoreline. Showed the form that made him a Newcastle favourite, with some key saves. He also showed good stick skills, with some smooth passing out of defence.

Stingrays Verdict: 5/10

An uninspiring display from the Stingrays against what was a blue collar road performance from the Steelers. Numerous defensive errors, and little threat posed in the offensive zone left Stingrays fans with a feeling of de-ja-vu against the South Yorkshire side.

Cloutier's Comments

"Even though Sheffield are struggling this season they are defending champions and they always find ways to win. They kept chipping the puck in and chipping the puck in and we kept turning the puck over and getting away from our game plan. On Saturday everything clicked but on Sunday nothing went our way, but you have to work at it to get it to go your way. You can't expect it to go your way all the time, you have to work at it."

Stingrays gain point in Nottingham

Nottingham Panthers 3-2 Excel Hull Stingrays (AOT)

The Excel Hull Stingrays took a 2-0 lead heading into the final period before a comeback from the Nottingham Panthers eventually saw the home side take both points in overtime, with Sylvain Cloutier's men having to settle for a point from the league leaders.

Goals from Curtis Huppe and Jeff Glowa gave the Stingrays a two-nil mid-game lead, however, the Panthers turned it on in the final third, scoring goals through Brit Marc Levers and Jade Galbraith, with 47 and 53 minutes gone respectively, to level the scoreline.

It was left to Kevin Bergin, who fought the Stingrays Adam Knight earlier in the night, to seal a deserved extra point for the Panthers in overtime, while the Rays will be happy to have claimed just their fifth point of the season, leapfrogging them a point ahead of Sunday nights opponents, and reigning EIHL champions, the Sheffield Steelers, in seventh place.

SOG: 43-34
PIM: 23-23

10th/11th October Weekend Preview

V

Saturday 10th October: Nottingham Panthers (1st) v Excel Hull Stingrys (7th) @ National Ice Centre, F/O 7pm (Challenge Cup and Elite League)
Sunday 11th October: Excel Hull Stingrays (7th) v Sheffield Steelers (6th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays
Nottingham
Sheffield

Last 3 Meetings
v Nottingham
01/03/09 6-4 W H
30/08/09 4-3 W H
29/09/09 2-4 L H

v Sheffield
03/01/08 3-4 OTL A
17/01/09 0-4 L H
22/02/09 2-4 L A

Season Series
v Nottingham: 0-1, 2 GF, 4 GA
v Sheffield: First Meeting

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Stephen Burns (9 GP 1+1) The defenceman, who has had a tough induction to Elite League hockey, scored his first goal in European hockey last weekend in the win over Edinburgh and followed that up with a goal in Hocktoberfest in the Rays heavy loss to Sheffield. His solid play has steadily improved in the past few weeks, however, despite the loss of Ryan Jorde, that form will have to continue for the Canadian to justify his place on the Stingrays blueline after the signing of James Sanford.

Nottingham: Kevin Bergin (6 GP 3+2) After returning from injury last weekend, tough forward Bergin recorded a Gordie Howe hat-trick with two goals, an assist and a fight in one of his first games back against Belfast. However, there remains a question mark over the true fitness of the French-Canadian after he missed out on the Panthers embarrassing 6-0 loss at the hands of the Coventry Blaze in the Hocktoberfest quarter finals.

Sheffield: Kevin Bolibruck (8GP 0+3) More is expected of the experienced defenceman, who has had a challenging start to his second stint in South Yorkshire. He has been an early favourite to be released by coach Dave Matsos, after some poor early form, however, he improved to showed glimpses of what he can do in the Steelers Hocktoberfest victory on Sunday.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (9GP 90.8 sv% 4.13 GAA) The Swede followed up a good performance on Saturday against the Caps with a somewhat questionable one in Hocktoberfest. Although extra pressure was plied on the Elite League's netminders, due to the tournaments reduced four-on-four action, he let through one or two soft goals against the Steelers in the 5-1 loss in the quarters.

Nottingham: Kevin St-Pierre (10GP 92.8sv% 2.2 GAA) Has yet to be found out in Elite League action like many of his predecessors were. Helped by a solid defence, led mainly by summer acquisition Dominic D'Armour, the netminder has led the Panthers to the top of the league table with relative ease.

Sheffield: Andrew Verner (Debut weekend) The top quality netminder will be making his second Elite League debut in two seasons this weekend. After pricing himself out of a return to Newcastle in the summer, Verner failed to find a club on the continent. Thankfully for him Kevin Reiter's unlucky long-term injury has put an end to his extended summer.

Absentees
Stingrays: Ryan Jorde (released), Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee)
Nottingham: Full Strength
Sheffield: Kevin Reiter (sports hernia), Scott Basiuk (doubt; shoulder), Jeff Hutchins (concussion)

Predictions
Nottingham 5-3 Stingrays
Stingrays 4-5 Sheffield

Jorde let go

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today released injured defenceman Ryan Jorde with immediate effect, after an off-ice incident left the Rays owners Mike and Sue Pack with no other conceivable option.

The Canadian blueliner, who has been out of action for the last two and a half weeks with a broken bone in his arm, has left the team with immediate effect and will return to North America.

He came to the UK with a reputation in the American minor leagues as a tough customer in the fighting stakes, but after a number of concussions in the AHL and UHL, he flew to Europe, having been signed by Sylvain Cloutier, to play a serious part in the Stingrays defence.

However, a number of circumstances have now seen the 6'3 Kelowna, British Columbia native depart.

The overriding reason for his sacking seems to have been the unknown off-ice incident, which the Stingrays management have rightly refused to comment on, "now or in the future".

But the Rays lack of early season form, Jorde's lack of productivity offensively and his broken arm, which will likely keep him out for another four-to-six weeks, has seen the end of his career in Hull.

He recorded no points and six penalty minutes in a four game spell in the Elite League and conveniently looks to have been replaced by James Sanford, who was signed last week, prior to Jorde's off-ice incident, to shake up the players and get them out of their poor run of form.

Speculation continues to circle as to whether Cloutier will make further moves if the Rays form continues to flat line.

With the departure of Jorde, the team is now back down to ten imports, with just Lee Mitchell sidelined. Therefore, an import would almost certainly have to depart if there were to be any more additions to the low-budget Stingrays.

Stingray news

Slonina returns to Stockton

American forward-turned defenceman, Steve Slonina, has found a new club, after leaving the Stingrays when his contract expired at the end of last season. He has re-signed with Stockton Thunder, the club he scored 66 points for in 94 games between 2005 and 2006, after a successful tryout with the ECHL club

The Abington, Massachusetts native, joined the Stingrays as a forward last summer and played games in that position before the team's injury crisis struck. He filled in on defence, a position he was no stranger to, after injuries to Stuart Kerr, Paul Moran and Troy Neumeier and shone all season long.

He took home Defenceman of the Year and Fans Player of the Year, at the Stingrays end of season awards ceremony, whilst he also represented the team in the EIHL's first ever All Star game, where he added an assist.

He recorded nine goals and 40 points in 60 games for the Rays last year and became, not only one of the club's most highly rated defencemen, but also a fan favourite, primarily for his tenacious play from the blueline. He returns to the ECHL, where he has a total of 159 points in 281 career games.

Sanford to arrive

The Stingrays latest recruit, defenceman James Sanford, is expected in the country this week ahead of his debut against the Nottingham Panthers at the NIC this Saturday.

The Canadian had been playing in the Dutch capital with HYS Den Haag but was cut prior to the beginning of the season, he was then quickly snapped up by Sylvain Cloutier to replace the injury Ryan Jorde on the Rays blueline. Standing at 5'10, he is expected to add some offensive punch to the Rays defensive corps by stepping in as quarterback on the team's powerplay.

Mitchell close to return?

22 year old forward Lee Mitchell may finally return to the side this weekend after sitting out the opening four weeks of the season.

The Scot had minor surgery on a knee injury that troubled him during pre-season preparations and he has yet to ice under Sylvain Cloutier this season, however he is expected to make a return within the next two weeks, provided there are no complications.

EIHL All Star Game 2010

The EIHL have announced that the EIHL All Star game will return for 2010. The game, which last season featured two Brits and two imports from each EIHL side, will this year be played at iceSheffield on Wednesday January 13 with face-off slated for 7.30pm.

Last season's EIHL All Star game, held at Coventry's Skydome, saw the Southern All Stars, featuring the Stingrays Steve Slonina, Slava Koulikov, Curtis Cruickshank, Lee Mitchell and Jeff Glowa, come out victorious with a 12-10 win over the Northern All Stars.

Stingrays lose in quarters to eventual Hocktoberfest champions

The Sheffield Steelers easily beat the Excel Hull Stingrays in the first Quarter Final of the inaugural 20/20 Hocktoberfest before going on to beat the Cardiff Devils and Coventry Blaze, to take home the first trophy of the season in front of their own fans at the Sheffield Arena.

The Steelers easily knocked out the helpless Stingrays in a 5-1 trouncing in the tournament's first quarter final, in a poor showing from Sylvain Cloutier's men.

In fact, they would have been incredibly fortuitous to come out of just the first period down by those four goals, let alone the single goal that they actually trailed by, as the Steelers well and truely grabbed the early initiative of the new rules, and refused to let go.

Stephen Burns leveled for the Rays, much to the delight of a healthy following from East Yorkshire on 12 minutes, after Brad Cruikshank, who was impressive right throughout the tournament, had given the Steelers a third minute lead.

Dave Matsos' men pushed home their advantage on the ice at end of the first and beginning of the second with four goals breaching Tommy Sandahl, who didn't have the best of games in the Rays net, before the Stingrays finally started to find some semblance of form in the shorter format, albeit with the game already, well and truly, gone.

However, despite late pressure on the Sheffield net, mostly thanks to the Steelers taking their foot off the gas, the Stingrays couldn't beat backup Dan Green, and Sheffield progressed with a convincing 5-1 win.

The Steelers carried on their good form into the semi final by shutting out the Devils three-zip in the semi final. That victory sent them into the grand final against a Coventry side that had convincingly defeated a much fancied Nottingham Panthers, six-nil, in the quarters, before edging the Newcastle Vipers via a shootout in the semi.

The Blaze and Steelers served up one of the more entertaining ties of the day as the Blaze twice took the lead through Dan Carlson and Adam Calder, only to be pegged back on both occasions, thanks to goals from Kevin Bolibruck and Jeff Legue.

The Steelers finally gained some momentum, in an, at times, physical, seventh game of the day at the Sheffield Arena, before Jason Hewitt scored the tournament-winning goal with less than seven minutes left on the clock to take a close 3-2 win and hand the Steelers the first silverware of the season.

Stingrays capitalise on chances

Excel Hull Stingrays 4-1 Edinburgh Capitals

The Excel Hull Stingrays broke a seven game losing streak by edging the Edinburgh Capitals by four goals to one, for their second victory of the season, thanks to two goals within ninety seconds of the beginning of the third period.

It wasn't until the second period kicked off that the sides would wake up, after drab, uneventful and scoreless first period, with the bottom two Elite League sides cancelling each other out at six shots a piece.

Prior to Dairus Pliskauskas opening the scoring halfway through the second, only Simon Lambert and Konstantin Kalmikov's incredible speed and skill had stood out.

Those attributes aside, it was left to Lithuanian Pliskauskas to open the scoring on a breakaway as the Caps countered effectively after Stingrays pressure had culminated in Matt Reynolds marginally missing a sure goal from a Cody Rudkowski rebound.

The Stingrays struck back quickly, in a way which they failed to do in their horrifying 9-2 loss two weeks prior. An all Brit line of defencemen Craig Mitchell and Hutchinson, and forwards Shaun Thompson, Slava Koulikov and Lee Esders, recycled the puck down low, tiring the Caps five, before Koulikov threaded a pass through to Esders who made the finish look easy, firing high over Rudkowski.

A minute later and the Rays defensive corps received a wake up call, Martin Cingel netting past Tommy Sandahl only for referee Andy Carson to rightly rule the goal out after the evergreen Slovak had gloved the puck goal wards.

Matt Reynolds missed another chance, in a tough game for the Canadian, before the period ended with the scores level at one.

A crucial ninety seconds followed for the Stingrays, as they came out at the beginning of the game and effectively won it with two early goals.

Just thirty seconds into the third the Rays found themselves with a shorthanded three-on-two break with Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk the crucial trailer, netting his second of the season and the game winning goal.

A minute later and the Rays continued their momentum, Sylvain Cloutier netting his own second of the season on a rebound at the back post after an Adam Knight shot had been saved by the continually impressive Rudkowski.

Reynolds spurned two more chances, one with Rudkowski laid across his crease, with most of the net to aim at, and another on a breakaway, which the Canadian stopper easily smothered, but it did not matter for the Stingrays, with Stephen Burns slotting home his first of the season, and the team's fourth of the game, into the empty net after Curtis Huppe had rung the post.

Stingray Stats
-Cloutier, Esders, Gomenyuk, Burns 1+0, Glowa, Reynolds, Thompson, Knight, Huppe, Koulikov 0+1
-Sandahl: 33 shots, 1 goal against
-SOG: 26-33
-PIM: 8-6

Best
Again Konstantin Kalmikov's speed, Tommy Sandahl stopping almost everything that he faced gaining a deserved second victory in league play, an improved defensive display, a good showing from the British line of Thompson-Esders-Koulikov.

Worst
Matt Reynolds unfortunate finishing, the first two periods as both sides stifled most of the offence created.

F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (33 shots, 1 goal against) The Swede, who finally received the defensive help he so craved, notched a deserved second win of the league season, and, in doing so, beat a side that chased him from the net on their previous visit with seven goals.

Edinburgh: Mark Smith (0+0) The brother of former Manchester defenceman Kenton, whilst far from the Caps most flashy player, showed responsibility, intensity and unrelenting pressure in his own end in front of Rudkowski and stood out because of it.

Stingrays Verdict: 7/10
The Rays definately required a win here to prevent their early season losing streak from getting out of hand. Thankfully that is what they gained, but in doing so, with the signing of defenceman James Sanford, Sylvain Cloutier now has a big dilemma on his hands after the improved display of many of his squad, including Stephen Burns, Pavel Gomenyuk and Slava Koulikov.

This performance was, defensively, a vast improvement on the rest of the season, as they allowed fewer than two goals for the first time. That, in turn, helped Tommy Sandahl both improve between the pipes and, one small annoyance aside, enjoy his role between the pipes.

The Brit line of Esders, Thompson and Koulikov was another surprise highlight of the game, as they recycled the puck and worked hard to create chances, one of which proved very important to the two points.

Although they still lacked the physicality and intensity that seemed to pay dividends against Nottingham in pre-season, the result is the important thing for Sylvain Cloutier, especially with his squad hopefully returning to full strength within the next week.

Cloutier's Comments

"I thought we played a great game. We didn't get frustrated, and didn't get away from our game plan, even though they scored the first goal. We kept plugging away and it paid dividends in the third period."

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-4 Nottingham Panthers

October 3rd Weekend Preview

Click Here for Hocktoberfest Preview

V

Saturday 3rd October: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Edinburgh Capitals (7th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm

Form
Stingrays: L L L L L
Edinburgh: W OTL L

Last 3 Meetings
v Edinburgh
14/12/08 3-2 L A
22/03/09 5-8 L H
19/09/09 2-9 L H

Season Series
v Edinburgh: 0-1, 2 GF, 9 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Curtis Huppe (3GP 0+1) The Canadian assistant coach really needs to make up for lost time, after missing five games through suspension. Prior to the ban he looked a shadow of his former 30-goal self, recording just one assist in three outings, but with three weeks training, and plenty of time to reflect on his out of character actions in Cardiff, Sylvain Cloutier and his goal-shy side will hope the time off may have relit the fire beneath him.

Edinburgh: Owen Fussey (3GP 4+2) After exploding onto the 09/10 EIHL scene against the Stingrays, the Capitals have slowed since, losing in overtime against the Panthers before being blown away by Belfast. Fussey, however, has remained constant in the Caps offensive drive. Recording at least a goal in each of the Caps opening three EIHL games, although he has been somewhat overshadowed by the speedy Simon Lambert. Nevertheless, he has played in the NHL and he will certainly remain a constant threat all season long.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (8GP, 90.2 sv%, 4.57 GAA) Some stats to start, to reiterate how impressive Sandahl has been behind a leaky defence. He has yet to face less than 35 shots a night, faces an average of 40 shots, faced 50 shots against Cardiff and, in total, has faced 327 shots so far this season. Luckily reinforcements are on their way for the Swede, who has recorded just one win in EIHL action, and if he keeps up this form behind that defence, then he should increase that number of victories soon.

Edinburgh: Cody Rudkowski (3GP, 88.3 sv%, 4 GAA) He has impressed fans league wide so far and performed well in difficult circumstances against the Toronto Marlies last weekend. He, like Sandahl for the Stingrays, will need to continue to be equally as good for the Capitals this weekend and right throughout the season if the Scots are to pull up any trees.

Absentees
Stingrays: Ryan Jorde (broken arm), Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee), Jeff Glowa (doubt; neck), James Hutchinson (doubt; hand)
Edinburgh: Doug Christiansen (broken patella)

News
- These two sides last met two weeks ago, and what a first fixture of the season it was for the Capitals, as the Stingrays capitulated to a 9-2 loss that coach Sylvain Cloutier vowed would never happen again. In fairness, last time out the Stingrays fought back admirably from 3-0 down to bring it to within one goal, before a Capitals goal seconds later destroyed the team's spirit. But with players back from suspension and with the threat of the axe fresh in the memory, the Rays should bring an improved showing this time out.

- The Capitals failed to win a game in last weekend's Hockeys homecoming tournament, featuring two AHL sides. After losing out to the AHL's Toronto Marlies by six goals to one in the semi final, the Caps were easily beaten 6-2 by the Belfast Giants in a game that ended up being a Challenge Cup Group A game.

- The Stingrays search for a new player seemingly began and ended in double quick time this week. Defenceman James Sanford has been signed to replace injured Ryan Jorde but will miss this weekend's games and make his debut next week against Nottingham.

- To go with injuries to Lee Mitchell and Ryan Jorde, captain Jeff Glowa and British defenceman James Hutchinson have also had injury concerns in the last week. Hutchinson went for a scan on his hand after injuring it against the Panthers, with the scan revealed that it was not broken as first feared, whilst Glowa has continued to feel the effects of the check on him from Cardiff's Tylor Michel three weeks ago. Both are doubts for this weekend.

- The EIHL's Hocktoberfest begins on Sunday, the Stingrays face off at 11am and if they win against hosts Sheffield, could progress to the semi final against either Belfast or Cardiff. The tournament is seen as ice hockey's version of cricket's 20/Twenty in that it is a shorter, more dynamic version of the game. All eight EIHL teams will be featured, with the inaugural EIHL Hocktoberfest champions being crowned at around 7.40pm.

Predictions
Stingrays 4-3 Edinburgh

Hocktoberfest Preview

Sunday 4th October: Hocktoberfest @ Sheffield Arena, 11am-8pm

Schedule
11am: Sheffield Steelers v Excel Hull Stingrays
12pm: Belfast Giants v Cardiff Devils
1pm: Edinburgh Capitals v Newcastle Vipers
2pm: Coventry Blaze v Nottingham Panthers
4pm: Semi-Final 1
5pm: Semi Final 2
7pm: Final

Players to Watch
Belfast: Pierre-Luc Faubert (8GP 5+0) Faubert, thought to be a candidate for league MVP during pre-season, has netted an impressive five goals so far this season but, despite his dynamic play, has yet to grab the headlines as expected. As one of the faster players in the league, Hocktoberfest is a chance for the French-Canadian to grab those very headlines.

Cardiff: Jay Latulippe (8GP 2+5) The nippy setup man has had a decent start to the season with a free-scoring Devils side. After bagging 26 goals last year, he will be expected to produce more in a much improved side in the Welsh capital this season. Spearheaded by the Saratoga, New York native, the Devils have a real chance of winning this trophy and getting their season off to a trophy winning start.

Coventry: Adam Calder (7GP 2+7) As one of the league's highest all-time scorers, Calder has got off to a slow start this season, scoring just two goals. Their under reliance on the Canadian is both good and bad. Good in that they have a side deep in scoring talent, that has managed to get it done, bad in the fact they will need him to score, and score plenty, if they are to match Nottingham for the title. In this offence friendly format, Calder will be called upon to make an impact.

Edinburgh: Simon Lambert (3GP 3+4) Thought to be one of the fastest players in the CHL last season, this tournament should suit Lambert down to the ground. Speed aside, he has scored an almighty seven points in the Caps opening three games, two of which have been losses, and his partnership with Owen Fussey will be key if the Caps are to progress in this tournament.

Stingrays: Konstantin Kalmikov (8GP 7+0) One of the purest, most skilled forwards in the league, Kalmikov should shine in this form of the game. In a, so far, poor Stingrays side, the Ukrainian has notched a joint league-leading seven goals in eight games so far this season. With the extra space, and with the Rays back to full strength against a Sheffield side in a certain state of disrepair, he should thrive during Hocktoberfest.

Newcastle: Jason Tejchma (7GP 3+4) Not much has been said of the American away from Tyneside, after the Vipers impressive start to the season. In a real team effort, he and his teammates have spread the point scoring in getting Newcastle into second place in league play, meaning none of them have particularly stood out, instead the team has shone. Following the guide of speed plus skill equals Hocktoberfest success, Tejchma and the disciplined Vipers should excel on Sunday.

Nottingham: Marty Gascon (8GP 0+9) Another speedy player from the CHL, Gascon seems to have more than adequately replaced Dan Tessier at the NIC. Linking up with pure finishers Cameron Mann and Sean McAslan, Gascon has recorded nine assists but has yet to bag his first goal. Don't bet on him going scoreless through Sunday though, this format is ideal for the quick centre.

Sheffield: Jeff Legue (7GP 6+5) Legue is now a known quantity in the Elite League after being part of the Steelers championship winning sides of the past two seasons. This season, however, he has been leading Sheffield almost entirely on his own. In poor form but at home, with the pace and finishing quality of Legue, the Steelers could, for once, be dark horses as opposed to favourites, something which will suit them down to the ground.

Predicted Champions
Nottingham Panthers