Monday 26 September 2011
Sunday 25 September 2011
Dismal Stingrays claim first win over hardworking Flyers
Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 2 Fife Flyers (SO)
The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight extremely lucky to claim their first win of the 11/12 EIHL campaign, finally persevering over a resilient and hardworking Fife Flyers side by three goals to two by way of a shootout.
Facing each other for the first time in almost exactly six years, the two sides came into the game looking for their first league wins of the season, although last night the visitors beat Edinburgh 3-2 in the Challenge Cup.
Similarly to local rivals Dundee last season, the Flyers have had a baptism of fire in their opening EIHL fixtures this season but settled into this fixture early, holding their own in the opening stages.
Nevertheless, eight minutes in Jereme Tendler netted the Stingrays tenth powerplay goal of the season, after Derek Campbell fluffed his one time shot, to give the home side a lead that most assumed would be the first in a routine win.
Though as the period wore on, the plucky Flyers showed it would be nowhere near that easy as they chipped away at a sloppy, scrappy and incoherent Stingrays side.
As they had during stages of opening period, Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays began the second period well on top, dominating their opponents for nearly ten minutes only to come away with nothing after a series of shots blocked or fired wide - the latter an all too unwelcome theme this season.
That dominance was only broken up by a counter-attack that saw Steve Gunn ring a shot off the cross-bar.
That proved to be a warning shot for the Rays though, as Gunn - moments after a Jason Silverthorn hooking penalty had expired - shot past netminder Christian Boucher to level the scores and shock the home crowd.
Three minutes later - on a Frantisek Bakrlik penalty - Silverthorn was handed the chance to make amends for taking what turned out to be a costly penalty but could not convert a shorthanded breakaway on Fife's ever solid netminder Garrett Zemlak - though this would be one of his final actions in the game.
Zemlak - seeing Stingrays forward Derek Campbell go unpenalised for an apparent late check on the buzzer on teammate Chris Wands - pounced on the Rays agitator and was swiftly kicked out of the game on the second period buzzer with a 5+ match penalty for excessive roughness.
Though that could have been a big turning point, the Flyers had other ideas. With Blair Daly replacing the Canadian between the posts, the visitors continued to play their tough, hard working game.
Even after defenceman Dmitri Rodin - the Rays deserved man of the match - had rifled home a shot from the top of the circle for his third of the season on Daly's first shot of the match, the Flyers looked unperturbed.
Continuing with the kind of work ethic and attitude that the home team should themselves have carried from the off, the Flyers almost inevitably leveled - albeit after Martin Ondrej had hit the post searching for a goal that could have potentially killed the game off.
Import Matt Cohen's shot from the point redirected home by player-coach Todd Duitaume on the powerplay for his first ever Elite League goal and the game tying goal.
Despite a lot of huffing and puffing from the Stingrays - as well as a surefire game winning miss from Derek Campbell at the backdoor - the last ten minutes passed without a deciding goal and the game moved into overtime with both sides claiming their first league points.
Overtime saw the Rays re-assume their dominance on the game, as Fife looked to accept that their best chance of claiming the extra point lay in penalty shots, but despite asserted pressure could not find the game winner.
Rodin eventually proved to be the hero once more, firing five hole past Daly in sudden death with his third attempt - after Tendler and Stewart had earlier cancelled each other out - to thankfully give the Rays their long awaited first win of the season.
To say that the result solely came down to the Stingrays underperforming does a massive disservice to Fife, who executed a near perfect game plan given the resources at their disposal this early in their first EIHL season and worked as hard as any team has in the Hull Arena in recent times. Though it has to be said, despite the win, the Rays overall performance was poor.
Cloutier undoubtedly now has a big job on his hands after a disjointed performance. Luckily for him it is still early in the season and the Stingrays, despite their many flaws, somehow still managed to claim the two points.
Though the large credit in this game must go to Duitaume's side for a remarkable performance in the Flyers long awaited return to Hull.
The unrelenting EIHL fixture list continues next weekend with a now all the more daunting double header against Sheffield and Nottingham, in the league and Challenge Cup respectively.
The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight extremely lucky to claim their first win of the 11/12 EIHL campaign, finally persevering over a resilient and hardworking Fife Flyers side by three goals to two by way of a shootout.
Facing each other for the first time in almost exactly six years, the two sides came into the game looking for their first league wins of the season, although last night the visitors beat Edinburgh 3-2 in the Challenge Cup.
Similarly to local rivals Dundee last season, the Flyers have had a baptism of fire in their opening EIHL fixtures this season but settled into this fixture early, holding their own in the opening stages.
Nevertheless, eight minutes in Jereme Tendler netted the Stingrays tenth powerplay goal of the season, after Derek Campbell fluffed his one time shot, to give the home side a lead that most assumed would be the first in a routine win.
Though as the period wore on, the plucky Flyers showed it would be nowhere near that easy as they chipped away at a sloppy, scrappy and incoherent Stingrays side.
As they had during stages of opening period, Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays began the second period well on top, dominating their opponents for nearly ten minutes only to come away with nothing after a series of shots blocked or fired wide - the latter an all too unwelcome theme this season.
That dominance was only broken up by a counter-attack that saw Steve Gunn ring a shot off the cross-bar.
That proved to be a warning shot for the Rays though, as Gunn - moments after a Jason Silverthorn hooking penalty had expired - shot past netminder Christian Boucher to level the scores and shock the home crowd.
Three minutes later - on a Frantisek Bakrlik penalty - Silverthorn was handed the chance to make amends for taking what turned out to be a costly penalty but could not convert a shorthanded breakaway on Fife's ever solid netminder Garrett Zemlak - though this would be one of his final actions in the game.
Zemlak - seeing Stingrays forward Derek Campbell go unpenalised for an apparent late check on the buzzer on teammate Chris Wands - pounced on the Rays agitator and was swiftly kicked out of the game on the second period buzzer with a 5+ match penalty for excessive roughness.
Though that could have been a big turning point, the Flyers had other ideas. With Blair Daly replacing the Canadian between the posts, the visitors continued to play their tough, hard working game.
Even after defenceman Dmitri Rodin - the Rays deserved man of the match - had rifled home a shot from the top of the circle for his third of the season on Daly's first shot of the match, the Flyers looked unperturbed.
Continuing with the kind of work ethic and attitude that the home team should themselves have carried from the off, the Flyers almost inevitably leveled - albeit after Martin Ondrej had hit the post searching for a goal that could have potentially killed the game off.
Import Matt Cohen's shot from the point redirected home by player-coach Todd Duitaume on the powerplay for his first ever Elite League goal and the game tying goal.
Despite a lot of huffing and puffing from the Stingrays - as well as a surefire game winning miss from Derek Campbell at the backdoor - the last ten minutes passed without a deciding goal and the game moved into overtime with both sides claiming their first league points.
Overtime saw the Rays re-assume their dominance on the game, as Fife looked to accept that their best chance of claiming the extra point lay in penalty shots, but despite asserted pressure could not find the game winner.
Rodin eventually proved to be the hero once more, firing five hole past Daly in sudden death with his third attempt - after Tendler and Stewart had earlier cancelled each other out - to thankfully give the Rays their long awaited first win of the season.
To say that the result solely came down to the Stingrays underperforming does a massive disservice to Fife, who executed a near perfect game plan given the resources at their disposal this early in their first EIHL season and worked as hard as any team has in the Hull Arena in recent times. Though it has to be said, despite the win, the Rays overall performance was poor.
Cloutier undoubtedly now has a big job on his hands after a disjointed performance. Luckily for him it is still early in the season and the Stingrays, despite their many flaws, somehow still managed to claim the two points.
Though the large credit in this game must go to Duitaume's side for a remarkable performance in the Flyers long awaited return to Hull.
The unrelenting EIHL fixture list continues next weekend with a now all the more daunting double header against Sheffield and Nottingham, in the league and Challenge Cup respectively.
Rays Rating
3
FBB Three Stars
1 - Dmitri Rodin (1+0)
2 - Christian Boucher (23 saves)
3 - Bobby Chamberlain (0+0)
Saturday 24 September 2011
Cardiff continue Stingrays dominance
Cardiff Devils 4 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Cardiff Devils continued their superiority over the Excel Hull Stingrays in South Wales tonight, adding to last season's nine wins in ten fixtures with a 4-2 victory in the Challenge Cup.
Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays, taking on the Devils for the first time in 11/12, emerged from a quiet first period still level in an unusual scoreless period which saw them kill of three hooking penalties.
The home side soon got on the board in the second period however, Brad Voth hitting his third of the year before Estonian Dmitri Rodin netted his second goal in two games for the Stingrays, going coast-to-coast at the blue tent to level the scores.
A Scott Dobben double either side of the second intermission, the latter shorthanded, then gave Gerad Adams' Devils a 3-1 lead before Ben Davies scored his first of the season to increase Cardiff's lead to three.
Jereme Tendler then recorded his fourth of the year - to add to the 50 he scored last season - on the powerplay to give the Rays hope. They couldn't find any more offence though as the Devils closed the game out at 4-2 having out shot the Stingrays 41-28. The defeat condemning them to their second Challenge Cup loss of this year's competition following the 6-2 loss in Nottingham on Wednesday.
The Rays return to action tomorrow night against the Fife Flyers, who recorded their first win in the EIHL tonight beating Edinburgh Capitals 3-2, for the two sides first meeting in six years.
The Cardiff Devils continued their superiority over the Excel Hull Stingrays in South Wales tonight, adding to last season's nine wins in ten fixtures with a 4-2 victory in the Challenge Cup.
Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays, taking on the Devils for the first time in 11/12, emerged from a quiet first period still level in an unusual scoreless period which saw them kill of three hooking penalties.
The home side soon got on the board in the second period however, Brad Voth hitting his third of the year before Estonian Dmitri Rodin netted his second goal in two games for the Stingrays, going coast-to-coast at the blue tent to level the scores.
A Scott Dobben double either side of the second intermission, the latter shorthanded, then gave Gerad Adams' Devils a 3-1 lead before Ben Davies scored his first of the season to increase Cardiff's lead to three.
Jereme Tendler then recorded his fourth of the year - to add to the 50 he scored last season - on the powerplay to give the Rays hope. They couldn't find any more offence though as the Devils closed the game out at 4-2 having out shot the Stingrays 41-28. The defeat condemning them to their second Challenge Cup loss of this year's competition following the 6-2 loss in Nottingham on Wednesday.
The Rays return to action tomorrow night against the Fife Flyers, who recorded their first win in the EIHL tonight beating Edinburgh Capitals 3-2, for the two sides first meeting in six years.
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Stingrays skid extended to five
Nottingham Panthers 6 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays tough start to the season continued tonight as they conceded six goals for the third time in five games, going down by four goals to Nottingham Panthers in a doubled up league and Challenge Cup group fixture.
The Stingrays - without Jack Watkins and Ryan Lake - conceded yet another early goal, David-Alexandre Beauregard netting a powerplay marker six minutes in at the Trent FM Arena.
New Nottingham import Matt Francis then added an unassisted tally to double the Panthers lead before the Rays finally got on the board. Jereme Tendler - who appears to have begun where he left off last season - notching his third of the season at the backdoor on the powerplay as the Rays good fortune on the man advantage continued at 17.22.
Having grown into the game in the first period, eventually ending on top, the Rays leaked goals to player-coach Corey Neilson and young Brit Robert Lachowicz in the middle period, setting them back three goals from one of the favouirtes for the Elite League title.
Reigning Challenge Cup champions Nottingham would begin the third under pressure from their visitors but withheld that pressure, going on to fire two further goals past Rays keeper Boucher through Jeff Heerema and David Clarke.
Mid-way through the third both sides rested starting keepers Boucher and Craig Kowalski - with Ben Bowns making his league debut for the Rays - before Frantisek Bakrlik scored the Rays second powerplay goal of the game - a consolation goal - to settle the score at 6-2.
After claiming just one point in five fixtures against four of the EIHL's big four to open the 11/12 EIHL campaign, the Stingrays face last year's runners-up Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup on Saturday before taking on EIHL newcomers Fife Flyers in Hull on Sunday.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tough start to the season continued tonight as they conceded six goals for the third time in five games, going down by four goals to Nottingham Panthers in a doubled up league and Challenge Cup group fixture.
The Stingrays - without Jack Watkins and Ryan Lake - conceded yet another early goal, David-Alexandre Beauregard netting a powerplay marker six minutes in at the Trent FM Arena.
New Nottingham import Matt Francis then added an unassisted tally to double the Panthers lead before the Rays finally got on the board. Jereme Tendler - who appears to have begun where he left off last season - notching his third of the season at the backdoor on the powerplay as the Rays good fortune on the man advantage continued at 17.22.
Having grown into the game in the first period, eventually ending on top, the Rays leaked goals to player-coach Corey Neilson and young Brit Robert Lachowicz in the middle period, setting them back three goals from one of the favouirtes for the Elite League title.
Reigning Challenge Cup champions Nottingham would begin the third under pressure from their visitors but withheld that pressure, going on to fire two further goals past Rays keeper Boucher through Jeff Heerema and David Clarke.
Mid-way through the third both sides rested starting keepers Boucher and Craig Kowalski - with Ben Bowns making his league debut for the Rays - before Frantisek Bakrlik scored the Rays second powerplay goal of the game - a consolation goal - to settle the score at 6-2.
After claiming just one point in five fixtures against four of the EIHL's big four to open the 11/12 EIHL campaign, the Stingrays face last year's runners-up Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup on Saturday before taking on EIHL newcomers Fife Flyers in Hull on Sunday.
Monday 19 September 2011
Sunday 18 September 2011
Point no consolation for Rays in fourth consecutive loss
Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Coventry Blaze (OT)
The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight handed their fourth loss of the season at home to the Coventry Blaze, claiming their first point of the year before going down to a John Gordon powerplay overtime goal.
For the third time in four 11/12 games the Stingrays conceded a goal in the opening five minutes, Brit Robert Farmer racing the length of the ice after Dan Scott lost the puck on his offensive blueline to fire in off netminder Christian Boucher's pipework after three minutes.
Already without Jack Watkins, the Stingrays then lost fellow British forward Ryan Lake early on and that forced Cloutier to shuffle his pack, handing 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain significant ice-time alongside Derek Campbell and Jason Silverthorn.
Nevertheless, after losing their second player of the season, the Rays scored an unlikely equaliser as the period neared a close. Jason Silverthorn firing home his third of the year and the team's fourth powerplay goal of the weekend into a virtually unguarded net on a rebound from a Jereme Tendler shot from a ridiculously acute angle that left Blaze keeper Hirsch way out of position.
Despite facing 11 shots fewer than Boucher in the game, former Danish international Hirsch came up big for the Blaze on a number of ocassions in the last two periods, notably making a brilliant glove save on a Dominic Osman-Tendler two-on-one that would have handed the Rays a lead on 27 minutes. He would later deservedly be named Blaze Man of the Match by sponsors.
After a relatively poor opening period, the home side were slowly but surely growing into the game, however, it was the Blaze that would strike next.
Greg Owen prodding the puck home in a mad scramble moments after Stingrays defenceman Martin Ondrej had lined up and chased a mid-ice hit that ominously failed to materialise. The event left him crucially way out of position and Coventry capitalise, souring a good period for Sylvain Cloutier's men.
Facing their fourth defeat in four opening 11/12 games, the Stingrays once again came out flat at the beginning of the third, however, in contrast to the previous three fixtures managed to up their game as the period wore on.
Duly the Rays leveled for the second time, six minutes into the third as Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin - who put in a very good all around performance - found himself in an unusual position on a shorthanded breakaway to fire through Hirsch's five-hole.
The Stingrays took control of the game after the goal but couldn't find a way past the Blaze keeper despite numerous chances but a Tendler hooking penalty - which prevented a sure-fire game winning chance for the Paul Thompson's side with seconds left - eventually proved costly as the game moved into overtime.
While the Rays had claimed their first point of the year, all hope of laying claim to their first win of the season ended seconds into the first, big blueliner John Gordon netting the game winning overtime goal on the man advantage to give the Blaze a four point weekend.
Cloutier's team undoubtedly deserved more from this game as well as the weekend on the whole, though untimely penalties, mistakes and poor finishing at crucial times ultimately cost them any chance of claiming more once again, as it would on any given weekend in this or any other season.
Evidentally, they learnt their lesson from the previous night when they were unlucky not to have the lead heading into the third only to collapse in the final stanza, incidentally as they did the previous week at home to Sheffield. Nevertheless, they still failed to put in the full package tonight and, while the season is still early yet, the Rays have a right to feel wholly unsatisfied with a one point return from four league games.
They return to action on Wednesday night, taking on Nottingham Panthers - who have gone 4-0 in their first four games - in both the league and cup, before facing Cardiff in the cup on Saturday and Fife in the league a week today.
For the third time in four 11/12 games the Stingrays conceded a goal in the opening five minutes, Brit Robert Farmer racing the length of the ice after Dan Scott lost the puck on his offensive blueline to fire in off netminder Christian Boucher's pipework after three minutes.
Already without Jack Watkins, the Stingrays then lost fellow British forward Ryan Lake early on and that forced Cloutier to shuffle his pack, handing 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain significant ice-time alongside Derek Campbell and Jason Silverthorn.
Nevertheless, after losing their second player of the season, the Rays scored an unlikely equaliser as the period neared a close. Jason Silverthorn firing home his third of the year and the team's fourth powerplay goal of the weekend into a virtually unguarded net on a rebound from a Jereme Tendler shot from a ridiculously acute angle that left Blaze keeper Hirsch way out of position.
Despite facing 11 shots fewer than Boucher in the game, former Danish international Hirsch came up big for the Blaze on a number of ocassions in the last two periods, notably making a brilliant glove save on a Dominic Osman-Tendler two-on-one that would have handed the Rays a lead on 27 minutes. He would later deservedly be named Blaze Man of the Match by sponsors.
After a relatively poor opening period, the home side were slowly but surely growing into the game, however, it was the Blaze that would strike next.
Greg Owen prodding the puck home in a mad scramble moments after Stingrays defenceman Martin Ondrej had lined up and chased a mid-ice hit that ominously failed to materialise. The event left him crucially way out of position and Coventry capitalise, souring a good period for Sylvain Cloutier's men.
Facing their fourth defeat in four opening 11/12 games, the Stingrays once again came out flat at the beginning of the third, however, in contrast to the previous three fixtures managed to up their game as the period wore on.
Duly the Rays leveled for the second time, six minutes into the third as Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin - who put in a very good all around performance - found himself in an unusual position on a shorthanded breakaway to fire through Hirsch's five-hole.
The Stingrays took control of the game after the goal but couldn't find a way past the Blaze keeper despite numerous chances but a Tendler hooking penalty - which prevented a sure-fire game winning chance for the Paul Thompson's side with seconds left - eventually proved costly as the game moved into overtime.
While the Rays had claimed their first point of the year, all hope of laying claim to their first win of the season ended seconds into the first, big blueliner John Gordon netting the game winning overtime goal on the man advantage to give the Blaze a four point weekend.
Cloutier's team undoubtedly deserved more from this game as well as the weekend on the whole, though untimely penalties, mistakes and poor finishing at crucial times ultimately cost them any chance of claiming more once again, as it would on any given weekend in this or any other season.
Evidentally, they learnt their lesson from the previous night when they were unlucky not to have the lead heading into the third only to collapse in the final stanza, incidentally as they did the previous week at home to Sheffield. Nevertheless, they still failed to put in the full package tonight and, while the season is still early yet, the Rays have a right to feel wholly unsatisfied with a one point return from four league games.
They return to action on Wednesday night, taking on Nottingham Panthers - who have gone 4-0 in their first four games - in both the league and cup, before facing Cardiff in the cup on Saturday and Fife in the league a week today.
Rays Rating
6
FBB Three Stars
1- Dmitri Rodin (1+0)
2- Christian Boucher (37 saves)
3- Dominic Osman (0+0)
Saturday 17 September 2011
Unlucky Stingrays go down fighting
Coventry Blaze 6-3 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays shipped more than five goals for the third successive game of the season tonight, going down by six goals to three against ownership rivals Coventry Blaze in a match-up that also saw three fights.
The two sides entered the fixture on the back of opposing opening weekend's - in which Paul Thompson's men easily beat newcomers Fife twice and the Stingrays dropped their matches with Belfast and Sheffield - having faced each other a month ago in pre-season and tonight they played out a tightly fought encounter.
Coventry's Owen Fussey was the first person to get his name on the scoresheet, firing into a virtually empty net at the back door on a 5-on-3 powerplay to give the home team the lead as Rays indiscipline cost them dear, as it did seven days earlier.
They fought back however, scoring a powerplay goal of their own moments later, Frantisek Bakrlik one-timing home in front of Blaze keeper Peter Hirsch.
Seconds after the restart Rays power forward Derek Campbell and Blaze tough guy Bryan Jurynec then dropped the gloves in the first of three fights on the night, trading punches in an even but entertaining fight.
The first notable activity of the second period saw Brits Tristan Harper and Robert Farmer drop the gloves, in a marginal fight in which Harper managed to connect with few punches.
After hitting the post on a shorthanded breakaway earlier in the game and also spurning two other early second period chances, Jereme Tendler netted his second of the season on the powerplay to give the Rays the lead with Hirsch sprawling, only for Shea Guthrie to reply and level the scores minutes later.
The Rays ended the second period on top, pressuring the home side into their own zone but would later come to regret not taking their chances and making that pressure count as the Blaze came back strongly in the third period.
Luke Fulghum gave Coventry the lead early in the first with their second powerplay goal of the game before Matty Davies quickly equalised with his first of the year, prodding home from close in for the Rays third man advantage goal of the night after being set up by player-coach Sylvain Cloutier behind the net.
Though momentum at that point was in favour of the Stingrays, the Blaze regained the lead through Fussey's second on 49 minutes and he completed his hat-trick later on after an Aaron Nell goal and Bakrlik and former Stingray Dave Phillips dropped the gloves, sealing the scoreline very harshly in favour of the Blaze at 6-3.
The two sides meet again tomorrow night in Hull for the fourth fixture between the two sides of 11/12.
The Excel Hull Stingrays shipped more than five goals for the third successive game of the season tonight, going down by six goals to three against ownership rivals Coventry Blaze in a match-up that also saw three fights.
The two sides entered the fixture on the back of opposing opening weekend's - in which Paul Thompson's men easily beat newcomers Fife twice and the Stingrays dropped their matches with Belfast and Sheffield - having faced each other a month ago in pre-season and tonight they played out a tightly fought encounter.
Coventry's Owen Fussey was the first person to get his name on the scoresheet, firing into a virtually empty net at the back door on a 5-on-3 powerplay to give the home team the lead as Rays indiscipline cost them dear, as it did seven days earlier.
They fought back however, scoring a powerplay goal of their own moments later, Frantisek Bakrlik one-timing home in front of Blaze keeper Peter Hirsch.
Seconds after the restart Rays power forward Derek Campbell and Blaze tough guy Bryan Jurynec then dropped the gloves in the first of three fights on the night, trading punches in an even but entertaining fight.
The first notable activity of the second period saw Brits Tristan Harper and Robert Farmer drop the gloves, in a marginal fight in which Harper managed to connect with few punches.
After hitting the post on a shorthanded breakaway earlier in the game and also spurning two other early second period chances, Jereme Tendler netted his second of the season on the powerplay to give the Rays the lead with Hirsch sprawling, only for Shea Guthrie to reply and level the scores minutes later.
The Rays ended the second period on top, pressuring the home side into their own zone but would later come to regret not taking their chances and making that pressure count as the Blaze came back strongly in the third period.
Luke Fulghum gave Coventry the lead early in the first with their second powerplay goal of the game before Matty Davies quickly equalised with his first of the year, prodding home from close in for the Rays third man advantage goal of the night after being set up by player-coach Sylvain Cloutier behind the net.
Though momentum at that point was in favour of the Stingrays, the Blaze regained the lead through Fussey's second on 49 minutes and he completed his hat-trick later on after an Aaron Nell goal and Bakrlik and former Stingray Dave Phillips dropped the gloves, sealing the scoreline very harshly in favour of the Blaze at 6-3.
The two sides meet again tomorrow night in Hull for the fourth fixture between the two sides of 11/12.
Monday 12 September 2011
Sunday 11 September 2011
Stingrays go pointless in opening weekend
Hull Stingrays 2 - 6 Sheffield Steelers
The Excel Hull Stingrays endured an unsuccessful opening weekend of their league campaign, losing 2-6 at home to the Sheffield Steelers, following their away defeat to Belfast.
In a game marred by penalties, the Steelers took advantage of a slow start to the game from the home side, with man of the match Neil Clark on hand to open the scoring at 2.52.
No further scoring took place in the first period, with 8 minor penalties creating a disjointed feel to the game.
The second period began quietly, before the Steelers' offence took control. Jason Hewitt found the net at 28.19, before player-coach Ryan Finnerty tipped in another Hewitt shot on the powerplay at 30.15.
Seemingly dead and buried at 0-3, the Stingrays showed character to get back in the game, with 2 goals from Jason Silverthorn in the space of 5 minutes making it 2-3 at the end of the second period.
The Stingrays began the final stanza with cause for optimism, but their attacking approach ultimately meant that gaps were available for the Steelers to exploit. Jeff Legue blasted a powerplay shot high past Boucher in the Hull goal at 50.03, making it 2-4.
Opportunities continued to flow for the Steelers, with Colt King and Neil Clark both converting chances, with Boucher forced out of position by skilled passing moves.
Shortly after the sixth goal, Stingrays forward Tristan Harper challenged Jason Hewitt to a fight, with Hewitt accepting. Neither player appeared to significantly connect with their opponent, and Harper was unceremoniously dumped to the ground, bringing a swift end to the bout.
With the home side thoroughly beaten, the final minutes of the game were played out with little intensity.
Once again the Sheffield Steelers appear to have formed an efficient, clinical side that will no doubt challenge for honours this season.
The Stingrays showed glimpses of promise in parts of the game, but with their rhythm halted by many minor penalties, the Steelers were able to exploit spaces left by the home side's defence.
The Excel Hull Stingrays endured an unsuccessful opening weekend of their league campaign, losing 2-6 at home to the Sheffield Steelers, following their away defeat to Belfast.
In a game marred by penalties, the Steelers took advantage of a slow start to the game from the home side, with man of the match Neil Clark on hand to open the scoring at 2.52.
No further scoring took place in the first period, with 8 minor penalties creating a disjointed feel to the game.
The second period began quietly, before the Steelers' offence took control. Jason Hewitt found the net at 28.19, before player-coach Ryan Finnerty tipped in another Hewitt shot on the powerplay at 30.15.
Seemingly dead and buried at 0-3, the Stingrays showed character to get back in the game, with 2 goals from Jason Silverthorn in the space of 5 minutes making it 2-3 at the end of the second period.
The Stingrays began the final stanza with cause for optimism, but their attacking approach ultimately meant that gaps were available for the Steelers to exploit. Jeff Legue blasted a powerplay shot high past Boucher in the Hull goal at 50.03, making it 2-4.
Opportunities continued to flow for the Steelers, with Colt King and Neil Clark both converting chances, with Boucher forced out of position by skilled passing moves.
Shortly after the sixth goal, Stingrays forward Tristan Harper challenged Jason Hewitt to a fight, with Hewitt accepting. Neither player appeared to significantly connect with their opponent, and Harper was unceremoniously dumped to the ground, bringing a swift end to the bout.
With the home side thoroughly beaten, the final minutes of the game were played out with little intensity.
Once again the Sheffield Steelers appear to have formed an efficient, clinical side that will no doubt challenge for honours this season.
The Stingrays showed glimpses of promise in parts of the game, but with their rhythm halted by many minor penalties, the Steelers were able to exploit spaces left by the home side's defence.
Rays Rating
6
FBB Three Stars
1- Jason Silverthorn (2+0)
2- Derek Campbell (0+2)
3- Christian Boucher (35 shots, 6 goals against)
6
FBB Three Stars
1- Jason Silverthorn (2+0)
2- Derek Campbell (0+2)
3- Christian Boucher (35 shots, 6 goals against)
Friday 9 September 2011
Stingrays fall to Giants in Elite League opener
Belfast Giants 5 - 3 Excel Hull Stingrays
After a successful preseason, the Excel Hull Stingrays were defeated in their opening Elite League fixture, losing 5-3 away to the Belfast Giants.
The Giants started the game confidently, and went ahead through new signing Brock McBride at 3.31 in the first period.
A swift reply came from the Stingrays, equalizing just 2 minutes later with Dominic Osman on target.
The Stingrays were to finish the period 2-1 down, with Robert Dowd converting a powerplay opportunity at 17.32.
Misery ensued for Sylvain Cloutier's team as they leaked a further 2 goals in the second period without reply; Craig Peacock (21.52) and Jeff Mason (34.11) each bagging an even-handed goal.
Late on in the second period, Giants forward Ryan Keefe took exception to a check from Martin Ondrej, and the Belfast player dropped the gloves with the Slovakian, winning convincingly.
The Stingrays began the third period in the same fashion as the previous periods, again conceding an early goal, this time from Benoit Doucet at 42.32.
At 5-1 early in the third period, it appeared that the Stingrays would leave Northern Ireland on the back of a heavy defeat.
They did rally however, and goals from Jereme Tendler and Josh Mizerek made it 5-3 on the night with twelve minutes left in the game.
This was as close as the Stingrays would get, with Belfast's solid defence ensuring that no further goalscoring oppotunities arose.
Dominic Osman received a game misconduct for abuse of official after protesting a slashing call given to him at 58.00.
Though a 5-3 defeat to Belfast is not a terrible result, it was apparent that Hull's defencemen could not keep up with some of the speedy Giants forwards, who at times glided past them as if they did not exist.
The game will no doubt serve as something of a reality check to any fans that were previously unaware of the quality of opposition teams in the Elite League this year.
The Stingrays will face another tough test in the form of the Sheffield Steelers, who they take on this Sunday at the Hull Arena.
After a successful preseason, the Excel Hull Stingrays were defeated in their opening Elite League fixture, losing 5-3 away to the Belfast Giants.
The Giants started the game confidently, and went ahead through new signing Brock McBride at 3.31 in the first period.
A swift reply came from the Stingrays, equalizing just 2 minutes later with Dominic Osman on target.
The Stingrays were to finish the period 2-1 down, with Robert Dowd converting a powerplay opportunity at 17.32.
Misery ensued for Sylvain Cloutier's team as they leaked a further 2 goals in the second period without reply; Craig Peacock (21.52) and Jeff Mason (34.11) each bagging an even-handed goal.
Late on in the second period, Giants forward Ryan Keefe took exception to a check from Martin Ondrej, and the Belfast player dropped the gloves with the Slovakian, winning convincingly.
The Stingrays began the third period in the same fashion as the previous periods, again conceding an early goal, this time from Benoit Doucet at 42.32.
At 5-1 early in the third period, it appeared that the Stingrays would leave Northern Ireland on the back of a heavy defeat.
They did rally however, and goals from Jereme Tendler and Josh Mizerek made it 5-3 on the night with twelve minutes left in the game.
This was as close as the Stingrays would get, with Belfast's solid defence ensuring that no further goalscoring oppotunities arose.
Dominic Osman received a game misconduct for abuse of official after protesting a slashing call given to him at 58.00.
Though a 5-3 defeat to Belfast is not a terrible result, it was apparent that Hull's defencemen could not keep up with some of the speedy Giants forwards, who at times glided past them as if they did not exist.
The game will no doubt serve as something of a reality check to any fans that were previously unaware of the quality of opposition teams in the Elite League this year.
The Stingrays will face another tough test in the form of the Sheffield Steelers, who they take on this Sunday at the Hull Arena.
Sunday 4 September 2011
P&O Cup Winners!
Excel Hull Stingrays 7 - 1 Geleen Smoke Eaters
The Excel Hull Stingrays successfully defended the P&O Cup by annihilating Geleen Smoke Eaters 7-1.
Goals from Derek Campbell (2), Daniel Scott, Dominic Osman, Dmitri Rodin, Matty Davies and Jereme Tendler made for an emphatic victory at the Coventry Skydome.
The result was a particularly pleasing one given that the Smoke Eaters had already shown that they were a solid team, having pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory against Coventry Blaze the day before.
The game marked the end of a hugely successful warm-up campaign for Sylvain Cloutier's team, going unbeaten in all 5 matches.
In total, the Stingrays scored a total of 27 goals and conceded just 12.
The team move into Friday's Elite League game against the Belfast Giants knowing that they are significantly more prepared this season than they were in last season's 'baptism of fire' opener against the Cardiff Devils.
The Excel Hull Stingrays successfully defended the P&O Cup by annihilating Geleen Smoke Eaters 7-1.
Goals from Derek Campbell (2), Daniel Scott, Dominic Osman, Dmitri Rodin, Matty Davies and Jereme Tendler made for an emphatic victory at the Coventry Skydome.
The result was a particularly pleasing one given that the Smoke Eaters had already shown that they were a solid team, having pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory against Coventry Blaze the day before.
The game marked the end of a hugely successful warm-up campaign for Sylvain Cloutier's team, going unbeaten in all 5 matches.
In total, the Stingrays scored a total of 27 goals and conceded just 12.
The team move into Friday's Elite League game against the Belfast Giants knowing that they are significantly more prepared this season than they were in last season's 'baptism of fire' opener against the Cardiff Devils.
Saturday 3 September 2011
Stingrays Shut Tilburg's Trapp
Hull Stingrays 8 - 2 Tilburg Trappers
The Excel Hull Stingrays dominated a feisty P&O Cup game against Tilburg Trappers at the Coventry Skydome.
It was the Dutch side that got off to the better start, leading 0-2 at one stage, however the Stingrays scored a stunning 8 goals without reply.
The Stingrays' goals game from Jereme Tendler (3), man of the match Derek Campbell (2), Sylvain Cloutier, Jason Silverthorn and Ryan Lake.
A total of 3 fights occurred throughout the game, involving Dominic Osman, Sylvain Cloutier and Dmitry Rodin.
The Excel Hull Stingrays dominated a feisty P&O Cup game against Tilburg Trappers at the Coventry Skydome.
It was the Dutch side that got off to the better start, leading 0-2 at one stage, however the Stingrays scored a stunning 8 goals without reply.
The Stingrays' goals game from Jereme Tendler (3), man of the match Derek Campbell (2), Sylvain Cloutier, Jason Silverthorn and Ryan Lake.
A total of 3 fights occurred throughout the game, involving Dominic Osman, Sylvain Cloutier and Dmitry Rodin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)