Hull Stingrays 1-4 Belfast Giants
by Mark Bateman
by Mark Bateman
After a torrid time against the Dundee Stars just 24 hours earlier, the Hull Stingrays were looking to get back on track on home ice but faced fearsome opposition in the shape of last season’s Elite League Champions, Belfast Giants.
It was the Giants first visit to Hull Arena this season and Doug Christensen has again put together a roster that is the envy of most coaches. His men have already gone about establishing themselves at the top of the Rapid Solicitors Elite League standings, overall, and would prove a real challenge for Sylvain Cloutier’s side.
Following a delayed face off, caused by former Stingray Dave Phillips shattering the plexi glass, Hull started brightly and set about Belfast with energy and purpose and it wasn’t long before Great Britain goalie and Giants number one, Stephen Murphy, was called into service, as the Rays offence started to create the opportunities that had been absent from their game the previous night.
With ten minutes on the clock, a pinpoint pace found Cale Tanaka who went one-on-one with Murphy only to see his rasping shot cannon back off the crossbar. The Canadian was not to be denied however and two minutes later saw a deflected effort bounce off the hapless Murphy and into the net.
The goal had the arena rocking and with six minutes left to play, enforcer Ryan Hand and Giants captain Adam Keefe dropped the gloves, for the first time in the match, with the Belfast player maybe getting the upper hand in this contest.
Cloutier has stressed the need for his Stingrays side to play for 60 minutes but again this didn’t happen and the Giants came out the traps flying in the second period and made quick work of putting the Rays to the sword.
Markers from Andrew Fouriner, less than 30 seconds into the second period, Will Colbert, on the power play, and a top shelf finish from Darryl Lloyd put the Giants in the driving seat. The Rays fans did have something to cheer about however, when Hand and Keefe went for round two, this time Hand emerged victorious.
A lacklustre third period saw Belfast lose the services of Gregory Stewart, after an ill-fated attempt to fight Jeff Smith resulted in a nasty head wound. But the Giants showed their class and managed to extend their lead with Noah Clarke scoring a five-on-three power play goal with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Lloyd picked up the MoM award for Belfast and Ryan Hand walked away with the Stingrays’ Mom.
All-in-all it was a familiar story for Stingrays, too many penalties and the same problem of not being able to play for a full 60 minutes again saw them come away with nothing.
Positives are there to be taken however, with Ben Bowns again showing his quality between the pipes and in Tanaka the Rays have a forward who show great innovation.
It was an improved display with creativity and fighting spirit, both of which will set the side up well for their away double header next weekend with the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday before facing the Stars at Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday.
FBB Three Stars
1. Ryan Hand
2. Cale Tanaka
3. Ben Bowns
