Wednesday 29 December 2010
Stingrays hit Stars for six
Excel Hull Stingrays 6-1 Dundee Stars
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight put six goals past former netminder Ladislav Kurdna as they beat playoff rivals the Dundee Stars by six goals to one in the two sides first meeting at the Hull Arena in exactly five years.
In a chippy affair, which saw Dundee receive 64 minutes in penalties, goals from Andrew Coburn, Jason Silverthorn, Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle and a double from player-coach Sylvain Cloutier eased the home Stingrays to a routine win over their playoff rivals on Matt Suderman's first appearance in the Hull, having initially signed in the city this summer, and Ladislav Kurdna's return.
The result, combined with Braehead's unlikely shootout victory over Nottingham leaves the Stingrays still two points behind the Scottish side but with four games in hand to claim the much coveted sixth spot.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight put six goals past former netminder Ladislav Kurdna as they beat playoff rivals the Dundee Stars by six goals to one in the two sides first meeting at the Hull Arena in exactly five years.
In a chippy affair, which saw Dundee receive 64 minutes in penalties, goals from Andrew Coburn, Jason Silverthorn, Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle and a double from player-coach Sylvain Cloutier eased the home Stingrays to a routine win over their playoff rivals on Matt Suderman's first appearance in the Hull, having initially signed in the city this summer, and Ladislav Kurdna's return.
The result, combined with Braehead's unlikely shootout victory over Nottingham leaves the Stingrays still two points behind the Scottish side but with four games in hand to claim the much coveted sixth spot.
Rays Rating
7.5
FBB Three Stars
1- Konstantin Kalmikov (0+4)
2- Drew Bannister (0+1)
3- Andrew Coburn (1+1)
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Vipers strike to sink Stingrays
Hull Stingrays 2-3 Newcastle Vipers
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight failed to complete a double over Elite League bottom side the Newcastle Vipers. Claiming just a point of the two on offer thanks to an Andrew Coburn double, Sylvain Cloutier's team eventually fell to a Kyle Sibley overtime marker with less than 60 seconds to play despite controlling large portions of the game at the Hull Arena.
Without Lee Esders (concussion), Matti Uusivirta and Lee Mitchell (knee), the Rays headed into the game on the back of a emphatic 7-4 win in Newcastle the previous night and took the initiative early on as Andrew Coburn fired home his first of two on the night short side on Vipers keeper Charlie Effinger, who would eventually turn away 33 shots.
The Vipers then levelled thanks to Dale Mahovsky, who deked his way around Christian Boucher just moments after Patrick Forsbacka had tied up the ever impressive Drew Bannister way off the puck in an infringement that went unseen by referee Andy Carson.
Despite the visitors having the advantage in the first ten minutes of the second, it was the Stingrays who once again took the lead with rookie Coburn again on the board after a turnover which Konstantin Kalmikov unselfishly layed off to the Canadian to score.
However, once again the Vipers, who visibly worked tirelessly as a team all night long, levelled, capitalising on a powerplay opportunity after Jozef Sladok had taken a wholly unnecessary rough call on John Schwarz, with Finn Patrick Forsbacka scoring on the man advantage after Kurtis Dulle had come close, but not close enough, to clearing the puck around the boards.
The Stingrays came out in the third and final period and well and truly took control of the game with Newcastle tiring, but ultimately they lacked the cutting edge that had seemingly been evident the night before. Effinger had a large part to play in keeping the Rays out though, stopping 13 third period shots, most notably making a sprawling save on a two-on-one which Matty Davies couldn't quite get a good enough connection on to force home with minutes remaining.
Danny Stewart will have been delighted with the point, particularly as his side had a clear game plan to take the extra point going into overtime. With Effinger in fine form and seemingly confident of stopping everything the Rays could throw at him, the Vipers invited the home side onto them, soaking up almost four minutes of pressure before counter attacking to strike the critical blow through defenceman Kyle Sibley on their only shot of the extra period with 57 seconds to play. Importantly, the shot clinched the Vipers first win on the road in 12..
Cloutier must regroup his troops from a disappointing but acceptable overtime loss given the 7-4 victory the previous night, although a result against Dundee tomorrow night is massive given his side are just two points off sixth placed Braehead and beginning to flag somewhat.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight failed to complete a double over Elite League bottom side the Newcastle Vipers. Claiming just a point of the two on offer thanks to an Andrew Coburn double, Sylvain Cloutier's team eventually fell to a Kyle Sibley overtime marker with less than 60 seconds to play despite controlling large portions of the game at the Hull Arena.
Without Lee Esders (concussion), Matti Uusivirta and Lee Mitchell (knee), the Rays headed into the game on the back of a emphatic 7-4 win in Newcastle the previous night and took the initiative early on as Andrew Coburn fired home his first of two on the night short side on Vipers keeper Charlie Effinger, who would eventually turn away 33 shots.
The Vipers then levelled thanks to Dale Mahovsky, who deked his way around Christian Boucher just moments after Patrick Forsbacka had tied up the ever impressive Drew Bannister way off the puck in an infringement that went unseen by referee Andy Carson.
Despite the visitors having the advantage in the first ten minutes of the second, it was the Stingrays who once again took the lead with rookie Coburn again on the board after a turnover which Konstantin Kalmikov unselfishly layed off to the Canadian to score.
However, once again the Vipers, who visibly worked tirelessly as a team all night long, levelled, capitalising on a powerplay opportunity after Jozef Sladok had taken a wholly unnecessary rough call on John Schwarz, with Finn Patrick Forsbacka scoring on the man advantage after Kurtis Dulle had come close, but not close enough, to clearing the puck around the boards.
The Stingrays came out in the third and final period and well and truly took control of the game with Newcastle tiring, but ultimately they lacked the cutting edge that had seemingly been evident the night before. Effinger had a large part to play in keeping the Rays out though, stopping 13 third period shots, most notably making a sprawling save on a two-on-one which Matty Davies couldn't quite get a good enough connection on to force home with minutes remaining.
Danny Stewart will have been delighted with the point, particularly as his side had a clear game plan to take the extra point going into overtime. With Effinger in fine form and seemingly confident of stopping everything the Rays could throw at him, the Vipers invited the home side onto them, soaking up almost four minutes of pressure before counter attacking to strike the critical blow through defenceman Kyle Sibley on their only shot of the extra period with 57 seconds to play. Importantly, the shot clinched the Vipers first win on the road in 12..
Cloutier must regroup his troops from a disappointing but acceptable overtime loss given the 7-4 victory the previous night, although a result against Dundee tomorrow night is massive given his side are just two points off sixth placed Braehead and beginning to flag somewhat.
Rays Rating
6
FBB Three Stars
1- Drew Bannister (0+0)
2- Andrew Coburn (2+0)
3- Kurtis Dulle (0+0)
Monday 27 December 2010
Tendler trick helps Stingrays to win in Newcastle
Newcastle Vipers 4-7 Excel Hull Stingrays
A second Jereme Tendler hat-trick of the season tonight helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to a three goal victory over bottom side Newcastle in Whitley Bay.
The Stingrays, once again without Lee Mitchell who underwent surgery on his troublesome knee during the Christmas break, found themselves 3-2 down thanks to Newcastle goals from Dale Mahovsky, Jamie Carroll and Adam Reynolds with coach Sylvain Cloutier and Tendler bagging goals for the visitors.
Jason Silverthorn's first of the night levelled the scores four and a half minutes into the second only for Mike Prpich to restore the Vipers lead six minutes later. However, with less than five minutes remaining in the period Drew Bannister bagged a timely first goal for the club, shorthanded, to equalise at four each heading into the final period.
Tendler took matters into his own hands nearly three minutes into the third, giving the Stingrays the lead for the first time before sealing his second hat-trick of the year six minutes later.
Silverthorn's second of the night, an empty net goal with 85 seconds to play, then sealed the result in favour of the Rays with Newcastle due to travel to Hull tomorrow night.
A second Jereme Tendler hat-trick of the season tonight helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to a three goal victory over bottom side Newcastle in Whitley Bay.
The Stingrays, once again without Lee Mitchell who underwent surgery on his troublesome knee during the Christmas break, found themselves 3-2 down thanks to Newcastle goals from Dale Mahovsky, Jamie Carroll and Adam Reynolds with coach Sylvain Cloutier and Tendler bagging goals for the visitors.
Jason Silverthorn's first of the night levelled the scores four and a half minutes into the second only for Mike Prpich to restore the Vipers lead six minutes later. However, with less than five minutes remaining in the period Drew Bannister bagged a timely first goal for the club, shorthanded, to equalise at four each heading into the final period.
Tendler took matters into his own hands nearly three minutes into the third, giving the Stingrays the lead for the first time before sealing his second hat-trick of the year six minutes later.
Silverthorn's second of the night, an empty net goal with 85 seconds to play, then sealed the result in favour of the Rays with Newcastle due to travel to Hull tomorrow night.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Cardiff down Rays again
Cardiff Devils 4-1 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight returned to South Wales and the scene of last month's 12-0 capitulation, and once again went down to the Cardiff Devils, this tie losing out by four goals to one.
Amazingly the Stingrays lead after 20 minutes play thanks to a fifth minute Konstantin Kalmikov shorthanded goal, however, after being out shot 26-2 that is as close to victory as Sylvain Cloutier's side would come.
Although they held that lead for more than half of the game mainly thanks to a man of the match performance from keeper Christian Boucher, a 35th minute marker from Cardiff coach Gerad Adams would end that resistance and a Jon Pelle powerplay goal two minutes later would finally give the home side the lead they deserved.
A further third period goal from Scott Matzka and another from Pelle gave the Devils a fairly comfortable 4-1 win that initially looked doubtful in a penalty strewn game.
Despite losing and being outshot 56-23, the Stingrays will leave South Wales with their dignity still in tact, unlike their last visit in the infamous 12-0 horror show.
The squad now break up for a four day Christmas break before taking to the ice against Newcastle in Whitley Bay on Monday, which is quickly followed by a home double header against Dundee and that same Newcastle side in a crucial three days for the team.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight returned to South Wales and the scene of last month's 12-0 capitulation, and once again went down to the Cardiff Devils, this tie losing out by four goals to one.
Amazingly the Stingrays lead after 20 minutes play thanks to a fifth minute Konstantin Kalmikov shorthanded goal, however, after being out shot 26-2 that is as close to victory as Sylvain Cloutier's side would come.
Although they held that lead for more than half of the game mainly thanks to a man of the match performance from keeper Christian Boucher, a 35th minute marker from Cardiff coach Gerad Adams would end that resistance and a Jon Pelle powerplay goal two minutes later would finally give the home side the lead they deserved.
A further third period goal from Scott Matzka and another from Pelle gave the Devils a fairly comfortable 4-1 win that initially looked doubtful in a penalty strewn game.
Despite losing and being outshot 56-23, the Stingrays will leave South Wales with their dignity still in tact, unlike their last visit in the infamous 12-0 horror show.
The squad now break up for a four day Christmas break before taking to the ice against Newcastle in Whitley Bay on Monday, which is quickly followed by a home double header against Dundee and that same Newcastle side in a crucial three days for the team.
Monday 20 December 2010
Saturday 18 December 2010
Rays Challenge Cup campaign ends in defeat
Excel Hull Stingrays 0-2 Coventry Blaze
In their final Challenge Cup game of the year the Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight shut out by the Coventry Blaze, losing by two goals to nil thanks to two first period goals.
With both sides already mathematically out of the competition, the game was never going to be played with the intensity of Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final, but it did remain important for the Rays to keep up the momentum of their recent run.
However, thanks to a pair of first period goals from Aaron Nell and Luke Fulghum it was the Blaze that deservedly claimed the win to level the teams four game series at two-a-piece and end the club's cup campaign with defeat, having fired 42 shots on Christian Boucher.
The result leaves the Stingrays bottom of Challenge Cup Group B with four points, a win over Coventry and draws against Nottingham and Cardiff, three points behind the Blaze and five behind Sheffield, Cardiff and Nottingham, who continue to battle for a semi final spot.
In midweek the Stingrays return to face the Devils at the venue where they were thrashed 12-0 four weeks ago before an away game in Whitley Bay against Newcastle two days after Christmas day.
In their final Challenge Cup game of the year the Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight shut out by the Coventry Blaze, losing by two goals to nil thanks to two first period goals.
With both sides already mathematically out of the competition, the game was never going to be played with the intensity of Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final, but it did remain important for the Rays to keep up the momentum of their recent run.
However, thanks to a pair of first period goals from Aaron Nell and Luke Fulghum it was the Blaze that deservedly claimed the win to level the teams four game series at two-a-piece and end the club's cup campaign with defeat, having fired 42 shots on Christian Boucher.
The result leaves the Stingrays bottom of Challenge Cup Group B with four points, a win over Coventry and draws against Nottingham and Cardiff, three points behind the Blaze and five behind Sheffield, Cardiff and Nottingham, who continue to battle for a semi final spot.
In midweek the Stingrays return to face the Devils at the venue where they were thrashed 12-0 four weeks ago before an away game in Whitley Bay against Newcastle two days after Christmas day.
Friday 17 December 2010
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Stingrays battle to second win over Clan
Excel Hull Stingrays 4-2 Braehead Clan
After having their three game win streak ended by Dundee on Sunday, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back with a 4-2 victory over the Braehead Clan that puts them just one point behind tonight's sixth placed Scottish opponents with four games in hand.
In a largely quiet opening period, the Stingrays took the lead through their first real opportunity as Andrew Coburn netted on a powerplay attempt. The rookie Canadian, who has improved no end in his first year as a pro, luckily netted having fired a low shot in off a Clan defenceman on a man advantage that the Stingrays rarely looked like scoring on.
Although the Clan barely troubled Christian Boucher in the Stingrays net during the opening stanza, former NHLer Jordan Krestanovich did think he had put the puck past Boucher 11 minutes in, having been left all alone in front of the Rays keeper, only for the referee Andy Carson to confirm the puck had not crossed the line.
The Stingrays continued to grow into the first period and ended it well on top, with Trevor Read, who probably enjoyed his best game in a Rays jersey yet, coming very close to doubling the home sides lead, pinging one off the crossbar.
The second would prove to be a mixed affair with the Rays heavily dominating the early stages before Bruce Richardson's side found some jump to dominate the game in their favour.
Two minutes and 22 seconds in Jereme Tendler netted yet another brilliant shorthanded goal. Intercepting a pass well in his own zone, the Stingrays leading scorer chipped the puck between two Clan defencemen on the blueline before expertly outwaiting JF Perras to find the twine and double the lead.
Konstantin Kalmikov followed that up quickly with a goal on his return to action, using his first class shot to beat a surprised Perras, as the it looked as though the home team side would run away with the victory.
It proved to be a little more difficult than that however, as Dominic Noel, easily the Clans standout player, fired home on a massive rebound from Boucher on 12 minutes. Just moments earlier gritty Braehead forward Kyle Bruce had agitated the Stingrays, and most notably Jozef Sladok, having gone in late on Boucher, and it could be argued that the big Slovak was pre-occupied with revenge as Noel fired home.
The goal energised Richardson and the Clan, as they turned the tables on the Stingrays by penning them in for much of the remainder of the period. Thankfully for Sylvain Cloutier, the Rays D held steady preventing any further damage to their lead, as they went in with a two goal advantage.
They did narrow that lead to one just under five and a half minutes into the final period as Ryan Campbell wickedly redirected a point shot from Jon Landry but that is as close as they would come as the Stingrays were against forced to cling on as the Clan pushed for the leveler.
With the Clan spurning a couple of chances, Jason Silverthorn roofed his shot high over the shoulder of Perras to end the game as a contest at 4-2 with minutes to play.
A meaningless final Challenge Cup fixture against Coventry follows at the Hull Arena on Saturday before the team go to Cardiff on Wednesday hoping to fare a little better than they did in the 12-0 thrashing last time they visited South Wales.
After having their three game win streak ended by Dundee on Sunday, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back with a 4-2 victory over the Braehead Clan that puts them just one point behind tonight's sixth placed Scottish opponents with four games in hand.
In a largely quiet opening period, the Stingrays took the lead through their first real opportunity as Andrew Coburn netted on a powerplay attempt. The rookie Canadian, who has improved no end in his first year as a pro, luckily netted having fired a low shot in off a Clan defenceman on a man advantage that the Stingrays rarely looked like scoring on.
Although the Clan barely troubled Christian Boucher in the Stingrays net during the opening stanza, former NHLer Jordan Krestanovich did think he had put the puck past Boucher 11 minutes in, having been left all alone in front of the Rays keeper, only for the referee Andy Carson to confirm the puck had not crossed the line.
The Stingrays continued to grow into the first period and ended it well on top, with Trevor Read, who probably enjoyed his best game in a Rays jersey yet, coming very close to doubling the home sides lead, pinging one off the crossbar.
The second would prove to be a mixed affair with the Rays heavily dominating the early stages before Bruce Richardson's side found some jump to dominate the game in their favour.
Two minutes and 22 seconds in Jereme Tendler netted yet another brilliant shorthanded goal. Intercepting a pass well in his own zone, the Stingrays leading scorer chipped the puck between two Clan defencemen on the blueline before expertly outwaiting JF Perras to find the twine and double the lead.
Konstantin Kalmikov followed that up quickly with a goal on his return to action, using his first class shot to beat a surprised Perras, as the it looked as though the home team side would run away with the victory.
It proved to be a little more difficult than that however, as Dominic Noel, easily the Clans standout player, fired home on a massive rebound from Boucher on 12 minutes. Just moments earlier gritty Braehead forward Kyle Bruce had agitated the Stingrays, and most notably Jozef Sladok, having gone in late on Boucher, and it could be argued that the big Slovak was pre-occupied with revenge as Noel fired home.
The goal energised Richardson and the Clan, as they turned the tables on the Stingrays by penning them in for much of the remainder of the period. Thankfully for Sylvain Cloutier, the Rays D held steady preventing any further damage to their lead, as they went in with a two goal advantage.
They did narrow that lead to one just under five and a half minutes into the final period as Ryan Campbell wickedly redirected a point shot from Jon Landry but that is as close as they would come as the Stingrays were against forced to cling on as the Clan pushed for the leveler.
With the Clan spurning a couple of chances, Jason Silverthorn roofed his shot high over the shoulder of Perras to end the game as a contest at 4-2 with minutes to play.
A meaningless final Challenge Cup fixture against Coventry follows at the Hull Arena on Saturday before the team go to Cardiff on Wednesday hoping to fare a little better than they did in the 12-0 thrashing last time they visited South Wales.
Rays Rating
7.5
FBB Three Stars
1- Trevor Read (0+0)
2- Jereme Tendler (1+0)
3- Sylvain Cloutier (0+2)
Sunday 12 December 2010
Rays fall short in Dundee
Dundee Stars 4-2 Excel Hull Stingrays
After winning three consecutive games the Excel Hull Stingrays trip to Dundee tonight proved one step too far as their win streak came to an end in a 4-2 defeat in Dundee.
The Rays, again without Konstantin Kalmikov and Lee Mitchell, travelled to Dundee straight from Coventry, having beaten the Blaze the night before, and got off to a much better start than their previous fixture in Tayside, where they found themselves down by four goals after ten minutes, with Lee Esders opening the scoring after 86 seconds.
Dan Ceman's Stars struck back less than six minutes later however, first netting through new signing Jay Latulippe before going ahead 17 seconds after levelling from the stick of player-assistant coach Brent Hughes.
Peter Cartwright extended the home sides lead 23 seconds before the end of the first, giving them a 3-1 lead they would hold on to for much of the game.
Mark Nebus, who had fought Rays defenceman Jozef Sladok in the first period, further extended that lead to three, 9 minutes and 39 seconds into the third. Although the Stingrays finally found the goal they had been searching for 21 seconds later from Andrew Coburn, who scored his third in three games, the two goal lead was eventually too much for Sylvain Cloutier's side to overcome.
The fixture ultimately proved a bridge too far for the Stingrays against a Dundee side that appears to be the club's bogey team this season and that is much improved since the beginning of the year. After wins over three of the top five, the loss is the first since the 12-0 humiliation in Cardiff and, given that fact, Cloutier can be proud of how his side have rebounded.
His team must now rebound once again, this time on Wednesday night against a Braehead team that they have both won and lost against in two meetings this year.
After winning three consecutive games the Excel Hull Stingrays trip to Dundee tonight proved one step too far as their win streak came to an end in a 4-2 defeat in Dundee.
The Rays, again without Konstantin Kalmikov and Lee Mitchell, travelled to Dundee straight from Coventry, having beaten the Blaze the night before, and got off to a much better start than their previous fixture in Tayside, where they found themselves down by four goals after ten minutes, with Lee Esders opening the scoring after 86 seconds.
Dan Ceman's Stars struck back less than six minutes later however, first netting through new signing Jay Latulippe before going ahead 17 seconds after levelling from the stick of player-assistant coach Brent Hughes.
Peter Cartwright extended the home sides lead 23 seconds before the end of the first, giving them a 3-1 lead they would hold on to for much of the game.
Mark Nebus, who had fought Rays defenceman Jozef Sladok in the first period, further extended that lead to three, 9 minutes and 39 seconds into the third. Although the Stingrays finally found the goal they had been searching for 21 seconds later from Andrew Coburn, who scored his third in three games, the two goal lead was eventually too much for Sylvain Cloutier's side to overcome.
The fixture ultimately proved a bridge too far for the Stingrays against a Dundee side that appears to be the club's bogey team this season and that is much improved since the beginning of the year. After wins over three of the top five, the loss is the first since the 12-0 humiliation in Cardiff and, given that fact, Cloutier can be proud of how his side have rebounded.
His team must now rebound once again, this time on Wednesday night against a Braehead team that they have both won and lost against in two meetings this year.
Saturday 11 December 2010
Red hot Stingrays claim second win in Coventry
Coventry Blaze 1-3 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays made it three wins in three games against the Elite League's top sides tonight, following up wins over Sheffield and Nottingham with a 3-1 triumph in Coventry over the Blaze.
The Stingrays were without Konstantin Kalmikov and Lee Mitchell, who has undergone treatment for his troublesome knee, and they got their away double header off to the perfect start, taking the lead 12 minutes in through Jason Silverthorn.
The home side got back on even terms with a Dan Carlson powerplay marker less than four minutes into the second but a third period goal from captain Kurtis Dulle and an empty netter from Andrew Coburn was enough to eke out the win for the inform Stingrays.
Sylvain Cloutier's side now face a long trek to Scotland to face bottom side Dundee Stars in a second away fixture of the weekend before a meeting with Braehead at the Hull Arena on Wednesday.
The Excel Hull Stingrays made it three wins in three games against the Elite League's top sides tonight, following up wins over Sheffield and Nottingham with a 3-1 triumph in Coventry over the Blaze.
The Stingrays were without Konstantin Kalmikov and Lee Mitchell, who has undergone treatment for his troublesome knee, and they got their away double header off to the perfect start, taking the lead 12 minutes in through Jason Silverthorn.
The home side got back on even terms with a Dan Carlson powerplay marker less than four minutes into the second but a third period goal from captain Kurtis Dulle and an empty netter from Andrew Coburn was enough to eke out the win for the inform Stingrays.
Sylvain Cloutier's side now face a long trek to Scotland to face bottom side Dundee Stars in a second away fixture of the weekend before a meeting with Braehead at the Hull Arena on Wednesday.
Friday 10 December 2010
Away double header is stern test for Cloutier's troops
The Excel Hull Stingrays 18 game old season can so far be easily summed up in one word: inconsistent. Winning every so often against both top and bottom sides but more often than not losing against the top four. But this weekend Sylvain Cloutier's side have a chance to turn that frustrating start into something of a hot streak.
Wins over Sheffield and Nottingham last weekend did wonders for the confidence at the club after crushing losses to Cardiff and Sheffield, and this weekend it is possible that the club could extend that streak to four. But it is the four results mentioned above that sum up the club's season so far perfectly, clinical on occasion and horrific on occasion but mostly pretty solid.
Ignoring the finer details of the victories and defeats of the past ten games, the Rays record stands at an pretty impressive six wins in ten. Perhaps more impressive is the fact they have four wins from six, with those wins almost exclusively coming against the top four.
Why have they turned it on recently? Well, in Jereme Tendler the club have a goalscoring forward in red-hot form and in Drew Bannister they have a player whose mere presence has solidified a blueline that previously leaked goals left, right and centre earlier in the year.
Of course, every single player has played an important role in the club's recent transformation, after all, earlier in the year nearly the exact same squad claimed just three points from 11 outings. Andrew Coburn and Christian Boucher, for instance, have played massive roles with very little fanfare heading the away double header.
Revenge is on the cards this weekend. First, the Rays must battle against a Coventry Blaze side wanting to make amends for the 5-1 Challenge Cup thrashing the Stingays handed them at the Skydome the last time the two sides met. The boot is on the other foot on Sunday night though, when they face a Dundee side that royally thumped them 9-4, again, last time they met.
It's a weekend that could make the Rays, setting them up for a charge at sixth placed Braehead with the two sides set to meet on Wednesday. And it certainly won't, or at least shouldn't, break them, bouncing back from that now infamous devastating 12-0 loss to Cardiff to tie with Nottingham proved that this team have more than their fair share of bouncebackability.
Two wins would go down very nicely as time ticks down alarmingly quickly towards the new year. A win would be a satifactory and expected outcome. However, if the double L is chalked up on the Stingrays form column at weekend's end, the word inconsistent may as well be stamped in bright red ink into the record books next to the entry for the 10-11 Excel Hull Stingrays.
In life and hockey, but particularly with the Stingrays, things are never easy. In which case, get out the chalk and red ink, this rollercoaster ride is going all the way.
Wins over Sheffield and Nottingham last weekend did wonders for the confidence at the club after crushing losses to Cardiff and Sheffield, and this weekend it is possible that the club could extend that streak to four. But it is the four results mentioned above that sum up the club's season so far perfectly, clinical on occasion and horrific on occasion but mostly pretty solid.
Ignoring the finer details of the victories and defeats of the past ten games, the Rays record stands at an pretty impressive six wins in ten. Perhaps more impressive is the fact they have four wins from six, with those wins almost exclusively coming against the top four.
Why have they turned it on recently? Well, in Jereme Tendler the club have a goalscoring forward in red-hot form and in Drew Bannister they have a player whose mere presence has solidified a blueline that previously leaked goals left, right and centre earlier in the year.
Of course, every single player has played an important role in the club's recent transformation, after all, earlier in the year nearly the exact same squad claimed just three points from 11 outings. Andrew Coburn and Christian Boucher, for instance, have played massive roles with very little fanfare heading the away double header.
Revenge is on the cards this weekend. First, the Rays must battle against a Coventry Blaze side wanting to make amends for the 5-1 Challenge Cup thrashing the Stingays handed them at the Skydome the last time the two sides met. The boot is on the other foot on Sunday night though, when they face a Dundee side that royally thumped them 9-4, again, last time they met.
It's a weekend that could make the Rays, setting them up for a charge at sixth placed Braehead with the two sides set to meet on Wednesday. And it certainly won't, or at least shouldn't, break them, bouncing back from that now infamous devastating 12-0 loss to Cardiff to tie with Nottingham proved that this team have more than their fair share of bouncebackability.
Two wins would go down very nicely as time ticks down alarmingly quickly towards the new year. A win would be a satifactory and expected outcome. However, if the double L is chalked up on the Stingrays form column at weekend's end, the word inconsistent may as well be stamped in bright red ink into the record books next to the entry for the 10-11 Excel Hull Stingrays.
In life and hockey, but particularly with the Stingrays, things are never easy. In which case, get out the chalk and red ink, this rollercoaster ride is going all the way.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Tendler collects second EIHL Player of the Week award
Excel Hull Stingrays forward Jereme Tendler has collected his second EIHL Player of the Week award in two months after picking up the last weeks accolade for his performances in the club's massive two win, four point weekend.
On Saturday, the Saskatchewan native bagged the first hat-trick of the Stingrays season in the 7-2 demolition of Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers. He went on to post a crucial goal and assist in the club's 5-4 shootout victory over Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena on Sunday, taking his goalscoring tally to an incredible 21 in 24 games.
Signed in the summer to score goals, the 27 year old has had a thoroughly impressive debut season in Europe, picking up the same award three weeks ago for bagging five goals in three games, including three shorthanded tally's.
His efforts have been crucial right throughout the year and will continue to be for the remainder of the year as Sylvain Cloutier's side search for the consistency that will allow them to retain and build on their current seventh place.
On Saturday, the Saskatchewan native bagged the first hat-trick of the Stingrays season in the 7-2 demolition of Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers. He went on to post a crucial goal and assist in the club's 5-4 shootout victory over Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena on Sunday, taking his goalscoring tally to an incredible 21 in 24 games.
Signed in the summer to score goals, the 27 year old has had a thoroughly impressive debut season in Europe, picking up the same award three weeks ago for bagging five goals in three games, including three shorthanded tally's.
His efforts have been crucial right throughout the year and will continue to be for the remainder of the year as Sylvain Cloutier's side search for the consistency that will allow them to retain and build on their current seventh place.
Monday 6 December 2010
Sunday 5 December 2010
Stingrays seal second four pointer with shootout win in Nottingham
Nottingham Panthers 4-5 Excel Hull Stingrays (After Shootout)
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight completed a sensational four point weekend over two of the top teams in the country as they followed up last night's 7-2 success over the Sheffield Steelers with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Nottingham Panthers at the Trent FM Arena.
The Panthers headed into the game on the back of a tough loss in Coventry in which a line brawl cost them their number one netminder Craig Kowalski, who is expected to be out for a number of weeks with a groin injury.
Nevertheless, starting experienced backup Dan Green the home Panthers took advantage of the continually slow starting Stingrays, netting through Rob Bellamy after just 46 seconds. They barraged Christian Boucher's net with 50 shots over the course of the 65 minutes but it was the opening ten that Corey Neilson's side were at their most dangerous.
However, with that opening flurry of activity largely weathered, the Stingrays equalised on the powerplay from the stick of coach Sylvain Cloutier on 12 minutes sending the teams in level at the first intermission.
Cloutier's side opened the scoring four minutes and 48 seconds into the second as Trevor Read bagged just his second of the year on a feed from Drew Bannister, who recorded his first point in a Stingrays jersey.
The Panthers hit back 34 seconds later though with Jade Galbraith netting his first of the night before the adding a second three minutes later to put the home side in the lead once again.
Importantly, 28 seconds before the end of the second the Stingrays Jereme Tendler scored his 21st of the year and fourth of the weekend, on the powerplay, to once again level the scores heading into the final stanza.
Again Corey Neilson's side came out the stronger, taking the lead for the third and final time through Marc Levers but the plucky Stingrays responded with their third powerplay goal of the night through Andrew Coburn to tie the score at four and guarantee both sides at least point.
A scoreless overtime period ensued before shootout goals from Konstantin Kalmikov, Jason Silverthorn and Bannister, coupled with two Nottingham misses, handed the Rays a fantastic extra point to complete a well deserved and unforgettable four point weekend.
The weekend could be looked upon as one of the biggest and best in the Stingrays short Elite League history. Rarely, if ever have they easily dispatched one of the top four at home before heading away to beat another of the top four, and that is exactly what they have achieved this weekend.
The crushing 12-0 embarrassment in Cardiff is now a distant memory. Indeed, that result may have done the club well in the long term, with the addition of player-assistant coach Drew Bannister likely another huge factor in the change in fortunes.
The club's week-on-week consistency will again be under scrutiny next weekend as they face an away double header. On Saturday they travel to ownership rivals Coventry before heading all the way up to in-form Dundee, who are the only Elite League side that the Rays have yet to beat this year, on Sunday.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight completed a sensational four point weekend over two of the top teams in the country as they followed up last night's 7-2 success over the Sheffield Steelers with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Nottingham Panthers at the Trent FM Arena.
The Panthers headed into the game on the back of a tough loss in Coventry in which a line brawl cost them their number one netminder Craig Kowalski, who is expected to be out for a number of weeks with a groin injury.
Nevertheless, starting experienced backup Dan Green the home Panthers took advantage of the continually slow starting Stingrays, netting through Rob Bellamy after just 46 seconds. They barraged Christian Boucher's net with 50 shots over the course of the 65 minutes but it was the opening ten that Corey Neilson's side were at their most dangerous.
However, with that opening flurry of activity largely weathered, the Stingrays equalised on the powerplay from the stick of coach Sylvain Cloutier on 12 minutes sending the teams in level at the first intermission.
Cloutier's side opened the scoring four minutes and 48 seconds into the second as Trevor Read bagged just his second of the year on a feed from Drew Bannister, who recorded his first point in a Stingrays jersey.
The Panthers hit back 34 seconds later though with Jade Galbraith netting his first of the night before the adding a second three minutes later to put the home side in the lead once again.
Importantly, 28 seconds before the end of the second the Stingrays Jereme Tendler scored his 21st of the year and fourth of the weekend, on the powerplay, to once again level the scores heading into the final stanza.
Again Corey Neilson's side came out the stronger, taking the lead for the third and final time through Marc Levers but the plucky Stingrays responded with their third powerplay goal of the night through Andrew Coburn to tie the score at four and guarantee both sides at least point.
A scoreless overtime period ensued before shootout goals from Konstantin Kalmikov, Jason Silverthorn and Bannister, coupled with two Nottingham misses, handed the Rays a fantastic extra point to complete a well deserved and unforgettable four point weekend.
The weekend could be looked upon as one of the biggest and best in the Stingrays short Elite League history. Rarely, if ever have they easily dispatched one of the top four at home before heading away to beat another of the top four, and that is exactly what they have achieved this weekend.
The crushing 12-0 embarrassment in Cardiff is now a distant memory. Indeed, that result may have done the club well in the long term, with the addition of player-assistant coach Drew Bannister likely another huge factor in the change in fortunes.
The club's week-on-week consistency will again be under scrutiny next weekend as they face an away double header. On Saturday they travel to ownership rivals Coventry before heading all the way up to in-form Dundee, who are the only Elite League side that the Rays have yet to beat this year, on Sunday.
Saturday 4 December 2010
Seventh heaven for Stingrays
Excel Hull Stingrays 7-2 Sheffield Steelers
An outstanding, hard working performance from the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight saw them easily overcome title chasers the Sheffield Steelers. After going two goals down the Stingrays once again bounced back to win by seven goals to two with goalscorer Jereme Tendler helping himself to the first Stingrays hat trick of the season.
Buoyed by the return of British defenceman Craig Mitchell from a broken arm but minus brother Lee Mitchell, who presumably sat out once again because of his troublesome knee, Sylvain Cloutier reshuffled his pack moving Jozef Sladok into the forward role that Kriss Grundmanis ominously took up in his final days with the club.
Aware that a good start was crucial, coach Cloutier set the example early on with some aggressive forechecking, however, an early penalty against Aivars Gaisins put them on the backfoot.
The Steelers, who were without Jonathan Phillips and Jeff Legue, opened the scoring on the ensuing powerplay after a defensive misjudgement allowed Joey Talbot to score just moments after Jereme Tendler had been stoned by Ervins Mustukovs on another shorthanded breakaway at the other end.
They then doubled their advantage less than two minutes later as Rob Globke found Tom Squires, who hit the only spot on Boucher's net possible after Andrew Coburn had misjudged a bounce off the sideboards.
Two down, the Stingrays had yet to get themselves into the game, but they finally did after ten minutes when Matti Uusivirta, Konstantin Kalmikov and Matty Davies combined well to give Finn Uusivirta a chance he would not pass up.
Kalmikov then bagged a goal of his own, wheeling around the Sheffield D before firing the puck with just enough power for it to trickle over the line to level the scores.
Globke, who recently bagged a rare hat trick of shorthanded goals against Newcastle, would later have a big chance to again give the Steelers the lead on the man disadvantage but, after dancing around three Stingrays, he could not find the finish to match his earlier silky skills.
The home side completed their comeback from two goals down a minute and eight seconds into the second as Jereme Tendler bagged his first of the night, one timing a shot home on the powerplay.
15 minutes later former Steeler Ryan Lake redirected home a tame Craig Mitchell point shot to put the Stingrays further ahead into the same dreaded two goal lead that the visitors had blown earlier on in the game.
Thankfully for the Stingrays Kurtis Dulle made the most of a chance crafted from hard work by Davies in the corner to fire high past Ervins Mustukovs for a crucial 5-2 lead going into the third and to put to bed fears of a Sheffield comeback.
It was a 60 minute team effort from the home side and further proof of that came in the third as they were forced to persevere, killing off a number of penalties including a two minute 5-on-3. Had the Steelers scored on one of their three powerplays it would have been game on, instead the Rays stood tall and they turned to indiscipline with Derek Campbell receiving a five plus game for spearing and Rob Globke two minutes for roughing followed by a misconduct penalty to all but confirm the result in the Rays favour.
The Stingrays still had more in the tank though and Jereme Tendler went on to capitalise on that indiscipline netting twice on the powerplay before the end of the game, first past Mustukovs before hitting the twine behind back up Brandon Stones, who replaced the Latvian in the Steelers net for the final ten minutes, to complete his hat trick of goals and seal a sweet 7-2 victory.
The win is another big step on the road for Cloutier's side. With Drew Bannister settled into the line-up the defence looked more assured and, although the former NHLer is yet to get off the mark for the club, it is easy to see his experience and cool head at the back is a priceless asset.
The Stingrays are currently very much a beast of Jekyll and Hyde proportions, both in general but more so when they go down to sides. They either capitulate as they did in Cardiff and Sheffield or they rally to claim points as they have done at home against Belfast and Sheffield, and away to Coventry and Newcastle.
The key now for Cloutier and his side is to put that inconsistent form behind them and build on this victory in tomorrow's fixture in Nottingham, who may well be missing a couple of key players after a line brawl erupted in their game against Coventry tonight.
An outstanding, hard working performance from the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight saw them easily overcome title chasers the Sheffield Steelers. After going two goals down the Stingrays once again bounced back to win by seven goals to two with goalscorer Jereme Tendler helping himself to the first Stingrays hat trick of the season.
Buoyed by the return of British defenceman Craig Mitchell from a broken arm but minus brother Lee Mitchell, who presumably sat out once again because of his troublesome knee, Sylvain Cloutier reshuffled his pack moving Jozef Sladok into the forward role that Kriss Grundmanis ominously took up in his final days with the club.
Aware that a good start was crucial, coach Cloutier set the example early on with some aggressive forechecking, however, an early penalty against Aivars Gaisins put them on the backfoot.
The Steelers, who were without Jonathan Phillips and Jeff Legue, opened the scoring on the ensuing powerplay after a defensive misjudgement allowed Joey Talbot to score just moments after Jereme Tendler had been stoned by Ervins Mustukovs on another shorthanded breakaway at the other end.
They then doubled their advantage less than two minutes later as Rob Globke found Tom Squires, who hit the only spot on Boucher's net possible after Andrew Coburn had misjudged a bounce off the sideboards.
Two down, the Stingrays had yet to get themselves into the game, but they finally did after ten minutes when Matti Uusivirta, Konstantin Kalmikov and Matty Davies combined well to give Finn Uusivirta a chance he would not pass up.
Kalmikov then bagged a goal of his own, wheeling around the Sheffield D before firing the puck with just enough power for it to trickle over the line to level the scores.
Globke, who recently bagged a rare hat trick of shorthanded goals against Newcastle, would later have a big chance to again give the Steelers the lead on the man disadvantage but, after dancing around three Stingrays, he could not find the finish to match his earlier silky skills.
The home side completed their comeback from two goals down a minute and eight seconds into the second as Jereme Tendler bagged his first of the night, one timing a shot home on the powerplay.
15 minutes later former Steeler Ryan Lake redirected home a tame Craig Mitchell point shot to put the Stingrays further ahead into the same dreaded two goal lead that the visitors had blown earlier on in the game.
Thankfully for the Stingrays Kurtis Dulle made the most of a chance crafted from hard work by Davies in the corner to fire high past Ervins Mustukovs for a crucial 5-2 lead going into the third and to put to bed fears of a Sheffield comeback.
It was a 60 minute team effort from the home side and further proof of that came in the third as they were forced to persevere, killing off a number of penalties including a two minute 5-on-3. Had the Steelers scored on one of their three powerplays it would have been game on, instead the Rays stood tall and they turned to indiscipline with Derek Campbell receiving a five plus game for spearing and Rob Globke two minutes for roughing followed by a misconduct penalty to all but confirm the result in the Rays favour.
The Stingrays still had more in the tank though and Jereme Tendler went on to capitalise on that indiscipline netting twice on the powerplay before the end of the game, first past Mustukovs before hitting the twine behind back up Brandon Stones, who replaced the Latvian in the Steelers net for the final ten minutes, to complete his hat trick of goals and seal a sweet 7-2 victory.
The win is another big step on the road for Cloutier's side. With Drew Bannister settled into the line-up the defence looked more assured and, although the former NHLer is yet to get off the mark for the club, it is easy to see his experience and cool head at the back is a priceless asset.
The Stingrays are currently very much a beast of Jekyll and Hyde proportions, both in general but more so when they go down to sides. They either capitulate as they did in Cardiff and Sheffield or they rally to claim points as they have done at home against Belfast and Sheffield, and away to Coventry and Newcastle.
The key now for Cloutier and his side is to put that inconsistent form behind them and build on this victory in tomorrow's fixture in Nottingham, who may well be missing a couple of key players after a line brawl erupted in their game against Coventry tonight.
Rays Rating
9
FBB Three Stars
1- Jereme Tendler (3+0)
2- Sylvain Cloutier (0+1)
3- Christian Boucher (36 saves, 38 shots)
Thursday 2 December 2010
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