Four goal Tendler powers Stingrays past Edinburgh in overtime

Hull Stingrays 4-3 Edinburgh Capitals (OT)

Jereme Tendler scored all four goals and put in a man of the match performance as the Hull Stingrays tonight defeated the Edinburgh Capitals in overtime by four goals to three.

Without the recently released Janis Ozolins - who joined the Dundee Stars hours after leaving the club - and Kurtis Dulle - who sat out a one game suspension for a check to the head in the 5-1 loss in Fife on Sunday - the Rays lined up with ten imports but controlled much of the early exchanges and, indeed, the game.

However, it was the Caps that were presented with the first real chance of the game - ringing both posts straight from a face-off just four minutes in.

That served as something of a warning for the Stingrays, who went on to outshoot the Caps 11-5 in a low-key first period - their best chance falling to Dominic Osman who was twice denied by standout Edinburgh netminder and man of the match Tomas Hiadlovsky on a neat feed from Matty Davies behind the net.

The story of the Stingrays season unfolded in the first period and, looking back, throughout the game. Unable to take their chances through a combination of brilliant netminding and poor finishing, they would end the first period 1-0 down.

The game's first penalty - a harsh interference call on Davies - was one of just two penalties taken by the Stingrays on the night, perhaps a sign of a lesson learnt against an Edinburgh side that has twice demolished them on the powerplay this season.

Nevertheless, the Caps once again showed off their efficient powerplay unit, scoring through Jade Portwood, who purposefully re-directed a pointshot from defenceman Michal Dobron past Ben Bowns in the Stingrays net on 11.39.

The Rays were unable to convert on the first of eight powerplay opportunities on the night at the end of the first and so went in trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes despite their superior play.

Aware of how important a victory would be, the Stingrays peppered the Capitals net in the second period with 24 shots and came away with a deserved 2-1 lead.

Right from the off, Sylvain Cloutier's side showed purpose and determination to get back into the game, dominating possession and the Tendler opened his account for the night with a scrappy goal after Danny Wood fed him close in to the net - recording his first Elite League point in the process.

Six minutes later, Cale Tanaka - who had one of his best games for the club and appears to have found his form after a torrid time with injuries of late - was through in all-alone on Hiadlovsky - who at this point was the difference between the two sides - only for the Slovkian to point blank deny the Canadian and smother any possible rebound.

While the Rays were constantly pressurising the Caps, they were also prone to the odd panic defensively and had to constantly be on their guard for any counter-attack from the impressive Portwood or deadly Rene Jarolin.

If Tendler's first of the night was a scrappy, right place, right time effort, then his second - which came on 32.24 to give the Rays a 2-1 advantage - couldn't have possibly been more different.

With it, at this point, feeling unlikely that the Rays would ever be able beat Hiadlovsky, a neat, slick tic-tac-toe between Wood and Silverthorn worked the puck to the Tendler in some semblance of space. The Canadian then wheeled from behind the net into a shooting position and sublimely put the puck high in the roof of the Edinburgh net with an unstoppable shot over the shoulder of the Caps keeper.

The testing moment of the night followed shortly after though as a miscommunication between Tendler, fresh from scoring at the other end, and his defenceman on the powerplay left the puck sat, just feet in front of Bowns and his goal with no other Stingrays in the vicinity.

Maris Zemberg's picked up the gift of a loose puck and, after being denied on the first attempt, prodded home a shorthanded goal completely against the run of play to level the score at 2-2.

A calamitous goal to concede for the Stingrays and horribly timed too just before the second intermission, having dominated the period and so heavily outshot the Caps only for Hiadlovsky come up big time after time. Their reaction to the adversity would possibly prove to be the difference.

The Caps third of the night came, once again, completely against the run of play with the Stingrays punished for failing to make the most of the chances - in particular three good chances on a 5-on-3 powerplay shortly before Jade Portwood rifled home his second of the night on 51.29.

The visitors goal sucked all the air out of the Stingrays performance but, for once, a bit of luck was on the Stingrays side.

Peter Holecko was first called for slashing - giving the Rays a powerplay - before a loose puck was fired over the boards by Curtis Leinweber from his own zone, handing the home side a huge, possibly season defining 5-on-3 man advantage.

With 2.05 remaining and time running out on what had been an intense, incredibly important powerplay, Tendler popped up and was given time and space to the left of Hiadlovsky to complete a perfectly timed hat-trick by firing home through the keepers five-hole.

With at least a point confirmed for both sides at the end of regulation, it had looked like Dmitri Rodin - who was another to have his best game this season for the Rays - was going to end the game early in four-on-four overtime, going on a mazy coast-to-coast only to be denied at the last step by Hiadlovsky.

There was one player the Caps Slovakian keeper had been unable to stop all night though and that was Tendler - who picked up the puck after 62 minutes, worked his way into space and beautifully backhanded another high shot over the shoulder of the keeper sending a generally quiet mid-week crowd into raptures.

The goal capped a wonderful night personally for the Canadian - who now tops the Elite League goalscoring charts - and sealed the all-important victory and extra point for the Stingrays.

The win moves the Stingrays to 28 points, two behind Edinburgh in 9th in the Elite League(with three games in hand and, crucially, five points behind 8th placed Fife in the final playoff position but with two games in hand on the Flyers.

Cloutier's side next face the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland on Saturday before returning home to take on the Coventry Blaze at the Hull Arena on Sunday.

FBB Three Stars

1. Jereme Tendler

2. Cale Tanaka

3. Dmitri Rodin

Ozolins release confirmed by Stingrays

After weeks of rumour and speculation the Hull Stingrays have this evening confirmed the release of Latvian forward Janis Ozolins.

The skillful forward was signed alongside Ben Bowns and Chris Sykes from English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs in the summer in order to provide the Stingrays with some much needed secondary offence.

He started the season in scintillating form and was regularly one of the Rays standout performers, helping himself five goals and seven assists in the first month of the season before following that up with five goals and two assists in seven games during October.

Indeed, he was one third of one of the Rays best, most exciting forward lines of the season when combined with Matty Davies and Dominic Osman.

However, the dip in form of a number of the team after October saw a line re-shuffle orchestrated by coach Sylvain Cloutier. The 23 year old's form then drastically dipped pre-Christmas as he netted just four goals in the league in November and December (26 games) in part due to the rest of the Elite League's renewed awareness of his abilities and his dislike of physical play.

At the time of his release he had yet to score in the league in January and had gone goalless in his last 12 games with his last league goal coming against Nottingham on 3rd December,

Rumours of his release had circulated throughout late-December and early January, and the writing appeared to be on the wall last weekend when he was dropped for Saturday's 5-2 home win over Fife before returning to the squad in the reverse fixture 24 hours later - a 5-1 defeat.

A brilliant, entertaining player on his day early in the season, his release seems to be a case of lack of confidence and form following a long spell without a goal - something he didn't have to contend with during his 55 goal, 52 game season with the Steeldogs last season.

A relatively young player as far as imports go, there was never doubting his skill or talent, nor will there be any doubting that he can and will score goals again. Unfortunately for him, the Stingrays desperately needed his secondary scoring now as they begin to slip out of the playoff picture and, after Cloutier showed plenty of patience, time ultimately ran out for the Latvian.

He leaves as the Rays third top pointscorer with 14 goals, 19 assists and 33 points from 39 games.

Of the 23 year old, player-coach Cloutier said:

"Janis is a good player and made a great start for us but he has struggled for the last couple of months. I just felt it was time to make a change and we wish Janis all the best for the future."

The timing of the release is somewhat interesting, with Kurtis Dulle suspended for Wednesday's key fixture against Edinburgh Capitals after a debatable check-to-the-head against Fife - which may yet be appealed - and three signing attempts fallen through.

Nevertheless, it is a well-known fact that Cloutier has been looking for a new forward for the last couple of weeks and a very strong rumour that Ozolins was to be the player to leave, therefore, it may be (and it would be no surprise) that another club was ready waiting to sign him when he was released or indeed that that interest in him is the reason for the sudden release.

Regardless, the Stingrays will face the Edinburgh on Wednesday minus Ozolins and will be hopeful of finding a replacement sooner rather than later if they're to maintain their stuttering playoff push.

Match Highlights: Fife Flyers 5-1 Hull Stingrays

Quick revenge as Flyers beat Stingrays in

Fife Flyers 5-1 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays were unable to close out their first four point weekend of the 12/13 season as the Fife Flyers rebounded from a 5-2 loss in Hull to gain quick revenge with a 5-1 win in Kirkcaldy.

As they did the night before in Hull, the Stingrays got the better start in the first period outshooting the Flyers 19-8 and opening the scoring through Dominic Osman's 12th minute goal, however, the two sides went in level as Fife player-coach Todd Duitaume equalised on 15.30.

The home side turned the tables in the second period - outshooting the Stingrays 22-8 - making their superiority pay, unlike the Rays in the first period, with goals from Derek Keller and Jason Pitton giving them a 3-1 lead.

The Flyers further extended their lead to 4-1 through Bobby Chaumont on 53.19 before Kris Hogg (PP) added a fifth to complete a comfortable win for Fife.

Cloutier inspires Stingrays to end five game losing streak

Hull Stingrays 5-2 Fife Flyers

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier tonight recorded two goals and an assist and netminder Ben Bowns turned away 32 of 34 shots as the Hull Stingrays ended a five game losing streak by defeating the Fife Flyers by five goals to two at the Hull Arena.

With 13 imports on the books, the Stingrays scratched netminder Greg Blais and forward Janis Ozolins from the line-up for this game - the latter perhaps controversially, adding futher fuel to the fire that he may soon be departing the club.

Six days ago the Stingrays were 6-1 down after twenty minutes in Edinburgh, therefore, with so much riding on this game after last week's demoralising demolition at the hands of the Capitals, a good start was imperative. Thankfully, the Rays came out with purpose and determination, Martin Ondrej typifying the opening minutes by levelling Flyers forward Danny Stewart with his head down.

Home debutant Danny Wood lined up alongside Jason Silverthorn and Jereme Tendler and the trio showed early promise, however, it was the Stingrays energy line of Ryan Hand, Cale Tanaka and Tom Squires that drew first blood.

With Hand and Tanaka pressuring the Flyers in their own zone - a reoccurring theme, particularly in the first period - the puck came to Tom Squires behind the net and he neatly tucked the puck home on 2.18 with Fife netminder Bryan Pitton covered the opposite post.

A boarding penalty from Josh Scoon on 8.21 then gave the Stingrays their first powerplay of the night having killed a Fife man advantage on a Jason Silverthorn trip moments earlier. The Flyers would pay for Scoon's boarding hit on Dominic Osman just twenty-five seconds later as goalscorer Jereme Tendler raced into the Fife zone and dropped the puck to linemate Jason Silverthorn - who ripped a wrist shot by Pitton to double the Stingrays lead.

The visitors came back into the game mid-way through the first period but the Rays spurned two great chances late in the period with puck jumping over Silverthorn's stick with the goal gaping and Osman missing the net having outwaited Pitton on a breakaway.

Following a somewhat slow start, the Flyers finally found their legs in the second period but not before the Stingrays again came out physically, Dmitri Rodin twice hitting Bobby Chaumont hard early on.

That physicality would eventually cross the line and cost the Stingrays 3.28 into the period. With Cloutier already sitting a cross-checking minor, Jeff Smith took the first of six penalty minutes in ten minutes of game time, giving the Flyers a 5-on-3.

Fife forward Chaumont this time benefited from Rodin hit - which missed it's target and saw the Estonian lose his balance, leaving the Rays with just two men at the back - as the Canadian slid the puck in at the back post for the Flyers first of the night on the powerplay.

The Rays quickly responded though and less than four minutess later Cloutier deftly tipped in Rodin's shot from the point for his first of the night to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

Smith's second and third penalties of the night came on 32.29 as he took a cross-checking penalty before needlessly roughing up Danny Stewart after the whistle to give the Flyers four minutes of powerplay.

The indiscipline could have potentially been so costly for the Stingrays but, while the Flyers did score six seconds later thanks to a re-direction from Kris Hogg, they were - luckily for Smith - unable to equalise during the second half of the powerplay.

With less than two minutes left in the second period, Cloutier - who was a driving force for the Stingrays throughout the night - determinedly hacked the puck past Pitton in a scramble around the crease six seconds after Todd Duitaume's slashing penalty to give his side a crucial two goal, 4-2 lead heading into the third period.

The Rays player-coach's final decisive move of the night was the choice not to attempt an ambitious breakaway from way out for his hat-trick goal on a Stingrays penalty kill.

Selflessly and sensibly, the 38 year old instead opted to wait for support from Osman - creating a two-on-one - before feeding a beautifully timed and weighted pass across the front of the net for the American forward to easily tap home at the back door for a much needed goal. The goal completing a brilliant performance personally for Cloutier and, he'd say far more importantly, a big win for the team.

Although a big, confidence boosting win - which came without a Jereme Tendler goal for just the third time in the last month - the Stingrays and Cloutier desperately crave and need a four point weekend to get themselves back in the mix in the Gardiner Conference.

Tonight's victory puts the Rays two points ahead of fifth placed Edinburgh - who they meet at Hull Arena on Wednesday - in the Gardiner Conference with the Rays playing one fewer game while also putting them level on points with Fife albeit having played a game more. Two points in regulation time tomorrow night will put them in third, two points in front of Fife, four points ahead of Edinburgh and just four points behind  the conference leading Braehead Clan.

FBB Three Stars

1. Sylvain Cloutier

2. Jereme Tendler

3. Ben Bowns

Ninth placed Capitals thrash Stingrays

Edinburgh Capitals 9-5 Hull Stingrays

A six goal first period blitz from the Edinburgh Capitals tonight helped the Scottish side to a devastating 9-5 win over the Hull Stingrays at Murrayfield.

In a huge game for both sides, the Caps took just 1.21 to take the lead through Martin Cingel. Curtis Leinweber doubled their lead less than a minute later with the first of four first period powerplay goals before Daniel MacIntrye (PP), Neil Hay and Jade Portwood (PP) gave the home side an unthinkable 5-0 lead.

Jereme Tendler bagged his second shorthanded goal in two games and 31st of the year in what was an early consolation goal but Brent Patry completed a truly horrific period for the visitors with the Capitals sixth of the first period.

After just twenty minutes and 11 shots, Richard Hartmann's side had bagged six goals including four powerplay goals from four powerplay attempts and all but settled the game in their favour.

Tendler added another consolation six minutes into the second period - his 13th goal in nine games, accounting for 65% of the Rays goalscoring in that time and sending him joint top of the Elite League goalscoring charts - but the unlikely comeback never materialised.

Edinburgh goals from Rene Jarolin (2) and Portwood, and further Stingrays consolations from Jason Silverthon (2) and, likely, a hugely unhappy player-coach Sylvain Cloutier rounded out the rout 9-5 in favour of the Scottish side.

The win extends the Capitals advantage over the Stingrays in ninth place in the Elite League to four points and levels the two sides points total in the Gardiner Conference.

It seems highly likely, given the magnitude of this defeat, that player changes may be made by Cloutier before the Stingrays season is pre-maturely ended. Although this remains speculation, it is well known that Cloutier has been on the lookout for a new signing offensively - tonight's defeat merely increases the importance and urgency of any new additions.

Shootout nightmare continues for Stingrays

Braehead Clan 2-1 Hull Stingrays (SO)

The Hull Stingrays lost their third consecutive game by way of a shootout and eighth of the season in a 2-1 loss to conference rivals the Braehead Clan as Ben Bowns stopped 28 of 29 shots in a man of the match performance.

Having lost in penalty shots to Edinburgh and Cardiff last weekend, the Stingrays looked like they have have finally broken the streak thanks to a 42nd minute shorthanded goal from Jereme Tendler - his 30th goal of the season.

The Clan leveled with less than four minutes remaining though and, after a scoreless overtime period, the dreaded shootout awaited.

Sylvain Cloutier's side got off to the perfect start in their quest to end seven games unbeaten as Tendler found twine on the first shot and Goldie was unable to do so for the Clan. However, misses from Kurtis Dulle and Janis Ozolins combined with Clan goals from Jade Galbraith and Steve Birnstill sealed the game in the Clans favour.

Nevertheless, the loss gives the Rays their third point from three games - albeit three shootout losses. Unfortunately, two of the three most recent defeats by way of penalty shots have come against Gardiner Conference sides, allowing those sides - most notably Edinburgh and Braehead - to gain a point on the Rays.

The loss, combined with Edinburgh's victory over Cardiff last night restores the Scottish sides two point advantage over the Rays - who have three games in hand - in the league standings, while narrowing the gap in the conference to two points - the Rays have two games in hand.

Those games in hand could prove to be crucial as the Rays fight for a playoff berth five points behind eighth placed Fife - with two games in hand. They also trail Braehead by just eight points in the conference with two games in hand, so it's still more than tight enough for the Rays to claw their way back into the race. To do so they have to start converting tight losses into wins.

The Stingrays end their weekend with a huge, must-win game in Edinburgh on Sunday night.

Another Steeldog makes Stingrays switch

The Hull Stingrays today added their fifth signing from English Premier League side the Sheffield Steeldogs this season as they announced the addition of British forward Danny Wood.

23 year old Wood started the year in the Elite League with the Sheffield Steelers but dropped down into the EPL after seeing limited opportunities in the top flight - where he recorded no points in 18 games.

He moved on to the Steeldogs - from whom the Stingrays have already signed Ben Bowns, Chris Sykes, Janis Ozolins and Tom Squires in the past year - in December and went on to hit two goals and 11 points in 13 games.

However, he jumped at the opportunity to receive regular ice-time in the Elite League with the Stingrays and Rays head coach Sylvain Cloutier was only too happy to add him to the roster, he said:

"Danny wanted to get back into the Elite League and I am pleased to have him on board."

The signing further boosts the club's numbers - they now boast seven defencemen and 12 forwards, the equivalent of four lines. The rumoured addition of another forward would move that figure to an impressive 13 forwards.

Wood will make his Stingrays debut in the away Scottish double header against the Braehead Clan on Saturday and Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday.

Match Highlights: Coventry Blaze 3-2 Hull Stingrays (SO)

Second consecutive shootout loss completes two point weekend for Stingrays

Coventry Blaze 3-2 Hull Stingrays (SO)

The Hull Stingrays tonight completed a two point weekend with their second shootout loss and seventh off the season, again losing out by three goals to two, this time in Coventry against the Blaze

Hoping to re-bound from a disappointing defeat to the Edinburgh Capitals 24 hours earlier, enforcer Ryan Hand was restored to the line-up in place of player-coach Sylvain Cloutier and Brit Brett Chapman also dressed for his second appearance of the season, while former Stingray Derek Campbell made his second home debut for the Blaze.

The Stingrays got off to a slow first period start, finding themselves 2-0 down after just eight minutes thanks to goals from Dustin Cameron (powerplay) -assisted by Campbell - and Greg Leeb.

Paul Thompson's side held that two goal advantage until five minutes into the second period when Cale Tanaka - assisted by Sam Towner and Jeff Smith - reduced the deficit to one with the Canadian's first goal since 1st November.

Jason Silverthorn then made it two non-Jereme Tendler goals from two on the evening, tying the game up just under four minutes later with assists from the Rays leading scorer and Latvian Janis Ozolins.

That goal proved to be vital for the Stingrays as the third period and overtime passed without any goalscoring before Cameron sealed the extra point in favour of the Blaze after the Stingrays again failed to convert any of their chances through Silverthorn, Matty Davies and Dominic Osman.

While disappointing to again lose out by the narrowest of margins - the seventh time this season they have done so - a two point weekend is not completely dissatisfying for Cloutier and his side.

Interestingly, those seven defeats have deprived the Stingrays of seven critical points. Had they converted on the shootout they would currently find themselves in joint seventh in the Elite League with 30 points and joint top in the Gardiner Conference with 24 points.

Although the defeat to Edinburgh was damaging, the Caps loss to Dundee - who completed a massive six point weekend - combined with the Rays point in Coventry restores status quo with the Rays ahead by two points in the conference but behind by one in the league.

It is also worth noting the Rays have three games in hand on the Caps, though they will certainly be looking to utlise those points to put distance between themselves and the Scottish side before looking to move further up the Gardiner Conference.

Top to bottom in the Gardiner Conference is separated by just six points, making the Stingrays fixtures in Braehead and Edinburgh next weekend, and all conference games, all the more important.

It is believed a new signing may be announced by that point, though it seems highly unlikely that, should the unnamed player be signed, they will come straight into the line-up next weekend.

Tendler double not enough as Caps claim shootout win

Hull Stingrays 2-3 Edinburgh Capitals (SO)

The Hull Stingrays tonight relied on two more goals from topscorer Jereme Tendler to claim a point against the Edinburgh Capitals but were eventually handed a damaging loss by way of a shootout for the sixth time this season, losing out by three goals to two to the Scottish side.

With a full compliment of 13 imports available following Martin Ondrej's return to fitness, the Rays scratched enforcer Ryan Hand and back-up netminder Greg Blais for the fixture.

The visiting Edinburgh side got off to the better start, pressurszing the Stingrays early on before dominating the possession stakes for the majority of the opening first period as the Rays sat back.

That lack of urgency cost them on 13.34 as a perfectly timed defence splitting pass from Neil Hay caught the Rays defence on their heels, allowing Curtis Leinweber to skate in alone between two defencemen and neatly beat netminder Ben Bowns for a one-nil lead.

A relatively pedestrian period from a Stingrays point of view came to a close with the home side on finally on top as they benefited from a Brent Patry slashing penalty to test Tomas Hiadlovsky for the first time. A combination of committed penalty killing from Jade Portwood - who blocked a number of shots on the penalty kill and throughout the game - and solid netminding maintained the Capitals one goal first period lead.

The Slovakian keeper continued where he left off early in the second period, as the Rays came out with the urgency they lacked in the first period, denying Tendler on a breakaway - Michal Benadik taking a hooking penalty in the process. The Caps keeper was called upon increasingly in the second period as the Stingrays upped their game with the out-of-form Janis Ozolins stopped on a brilliant diving shot from the hash marks.

However - while Hiadlovsky's solid play would eventually prove to be the difference - the home side's pressure eventually told in the second period as Tendler bagged his first of the night with a pinpoint finish in the roof of the net from an impossibly acute angle, leveling the game on 30.15.

They continued their second period offensive drive and, after Ozolins had jinked around a Caps defenceman only for Hiadlovsky to make the save, Tendler netted his second goal of the game, 29th of the season and, incredibly, his tenth in six games with a scrappy effort to give the Rays a 2-1 lead on the powerplay.

Richard Hartmann's Edinburgh side had their chances - notably with Ben Bowns stopping a Caps one-timer close in and Patry clipping the post on the powerplay - but the second period was undoubtedly the Stingrays as they outshot the Caps 15-8 and outscored them 2-0.

Penalties on Jeff Smith and Dmitri Rodin at the beginning of the third period allowed Edinburgh to take the initiative, hitting the post when trying to stuff the puck home on the short side.

Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier then beat a rushing Hiadlovsky to a loose puck in the offensive zone while shorthanded but instead chose to kill the powerplay than fire at the empty net from an short angle with Caps players in between himself and the net.

A poor pass from captain Kurtis Dulle gifted the Capitals the puck moments later, forcingDmitri Rodin to take a penalty to deny an ensuing opportunity. The Scottish side - who dominated the Stingrays on the powerplay during their home victory in December - again made the Rays pay on the man advantage, equalising through Hartmann on 46.17.

After Tendler was denied the hat-trick with two half chances on the powerplay, the Stingrays thought they had taken the lead as a Martin Ondrej shot rang the pipework twice only to not cross the line according to the officials and goal judge.

The Rays biggest third period chance came by way of Cloutier - who was the trailing player on a two-on-two break between Tendler and Tanaka - picking up the loss puck, only for his huge slapshot to be saved.

A tripping penalty on Ozolins with three minutes remaining all but killed off the Rays hopes of winning the game in regulation, however, a determined, solo shorthanded drive from Tendler - which saw him speed past two Caps and then deke around a third - was yet again stopped by the visitors man of the match in net.

The Rays killed off the powerplay to claim at least a point but really craved the extra point against their Gardiner Conference rivals.

An end-to-end, incoherent but fruitless overtime passed by with five shots and little activity before Leinweber's penalty shot proved the difference as Ozolins, Rodin and Tendler were all expertly stopped by Hiadlovsky for a critical extra point.

That huge extra point extends Edinburgh's lead over the Rays in ninth place of the Elite League to two points, also narrowing the gap between the two sides to one point in the Gardiner Conference.

The Capitals played a sterling road game limiting opportunities in front of their in-form netminder before breaking with slick passing, pace and precision, and few will begrudge them the two points. Aside from Hiadlovsky, the all-round performance of Jade Portwood - particularly defensively - and goalscorer and game winner Leinweber is also worth highlighting.

Defensively, the Rays - now with five import defencemen - look good having allowed three goals or fewer in six of their last eight fixtures.

However, where they're undoubtedly now lacking is going forward. Only once in their last eight fixtures have they scored more than three goals while their over reliance on Tendler - who has been phenomenal alongside Jason Silverthorn and has now scored nine of the club's last 11 goals from their last six fixtures - is particularly concerning, as is the drought of goals from Ozolins and Dominic Osman - who between them had four goals in December.

The rumours concerning a new power forward being signed appear to have some mileage with confirmation of a signing possibly expected in the next week or so. Whether Cloutier finalises that signing and whether he will have to make the tough decision to release a player with the Rays then boasting 14 imports is a much discussed point and remains to be seen.

In the meantime, the Stingrays travel to Coventry to take on the Blaze in the Elite League on Sunday evening, hoping to claim something more from the weekend.

FBB Three Stars

1. Jereme Tendler

2. Shane Lovdahl

3. Dmitri Rodin

WHCR 106.9FM Stingrays Fans Forum - January 2013

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Stingrays narrowly beaten by two for fourth time in Yorkshire derby

Hull Stingrays 1-3 Sheffield Steelers

In contrast to the niggly, hard fought 4-2 defeat exactly two weeks ago, the Hull Stingrays were tonight again beaten by two goals by Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers in an altogether different contest with goals in each period giving their South Yorkshire counterparts a narrow victory.

Having handed Dmitri Rodin his second debut in Cardiff, Jeff Smith returned to the line-up in place of Slovakian defenceman Martin Ondrej while a debut was handed to Sheffield born defenceman Brett Chapman.

The last time these two sides met, the game quickly spiraled out of control in an enjoyable, up-tempo but bordering on dirty clash. A lot of this frustration may have stem from Steelers enforcer Chris Frank refusing, on a number of occasions, to drop the gloves with Rays enforcer Ryan Hand.

Hand - clearly, again, up for the challenge from the off - gave Frank no choice on this occasion. Offering the Steelers man the fight prior to the opening face-off, and then again when the puck was dropped, he eventually dropped the gloves with the Canadian 17 seconds in, with the pair providing an entertaining duel which Hand edged - taking an instigator penalty for his insistence - and which energised the opening period.

With that out of the way, and the Steelers unsuccessful on the ensuing man advantage, the game took an all too familiar tone with the intensity and physicality of a playoff game. That intensity unfortunately didn't convert into free-flowing hockey - with the shot count just 5-3 in the Steelers favour after one period - but, nevertheless, made for an entertaining start to the game for both sets of fans.

Aside from a lovely move from centre-ice between Janis Ozolins, Cale Tanaka and Matty Davies - which eventually saw Steelers keeper John DeCaro deny the Rays close in - the home side appeared to struggle to test the Steelers going forward - an recurring theme throughout the game.

The Steelers on the other hand took the lead through a pinpoint finish in-off the pipework from forward Tylor Michel on the powerplay, giving them a 1-0 first period lead.

The intensity level of the game plummeted from playoff hockey to low-key regular season hockey in the second period with all the animosity from the previous game and previous period seemingly forgotten.

Jereme Tendler - who had seven goals in four games heading in to the fixture - was the presented with a huge chance, all-alone in front for the home side on the powerplay only for DeCaro to stonewall him.

Ryan Finnerty's side then doubled their lead on 28.09, sapping the energy out of the Hull Arena as Shawn Limpwright luckily deflecting home a Mark Thomas slapshot past Ben Bowns with his shin pad.

The Rays struggled to maintain offensive pressure in the Steelers zone throughout the game but eventually upped their offensive game enough to force this in the third period - firing 19 shots on the visitors net.

Jonathan Phillips completed the Steelers scoring for the night on 46.42 for a 3-0 lead after which the Steelers seemed shut down their offence for the night - focusing all their efforts on snuffing out any comeback from the Stingrays.

The intensity and atmosphere understandably dropped further following Sheffield's third goal, however, in-form Tendler managed to scramble home a consolation goal through DeCaro's five-hole on 53.49 on the powerplay for his eighth goal in five games.

Sylvain Cloutier's side - who were all game long led by the determination and hard work of Jason Silverthorn and seemed reliant on a goal from Tendler -  plied further pressure on the Steelers - who were now passing through the motions - but couldn't force a second goal past a resolute Sheffield defence with DeCaro in particularly good form.

As has been the case during the last month or so, the effort and much of the commitment was once again forthcoming. Likewise, during their last five defeats - which have all been by one or two goals - there is a fine line between no points and two points in this season's Elite League and that is a line the Rays, unfortunately, can't consistently cross.

Still, the Rays have five points from five games and now face a run of, somewhat, more favourable fixtures with six out of their next seven games this month coming against Gardiner Conference sides.

FBB Three Stars

1. Jason Silverthorn

2. Jereme Tendler

3. Ryan Hand

Bowns stands tall as Stingrays cling on for third Cardiff win

Cardiff Devils 2-3 Hull Stingrays

A 39 save effort from netminder Ben Bowns and two more goals from leading scorer Jereme Tendler tonight helped the Hull Stingrays to their third victory of the season against the Cardiff Devils by way of a 3-2 win in South Wales.

With Jeff Smith sitting out his third consecutive game through injury, Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin made his return to the Stingrays line-up after signing from the English Premier League on Thursday.

The first action of the fixture saw Rays enforcer Ryan Hand and his Cardiff counterpart Jesse Gimblett re-acquaint themselves - having fought last time out in Cardiff - dropping the gloves just three seconds in.

With the not-so pleasantries exchanged, the Devils took a 1-0 lead through Ben Davies after just 43 seconds. Chris Blight then instigated the games' second fight, dropping the gloves with Janis Ozolins before a Mac Faulkner goal doubled the home sides lead, shorthanded on 8.44.

The Rays struck back with their own shorthanded marker on 11.35 as Jereme Tendler netted his 25th of the season before Sylvain Cloutier leveled the score at 2-2 with a close range tap in on a pass from Tom Squires after 15.22.

Tendler then gave the Rays an unlikely 3-2 lead with his sixth goal in three games and 26th of the season with less than a minute and a half remaining in the first period scoring their third of the game on just seven shots.

Having outshot the Rays 12-7 in the first period, the Devils outshot the Stingray further in the middle stanza, with Bowns turning away all 13 shots in the Stingrays net, Cardiff keeper Phil Osaer saving all six shots fired at him.

The Devils plied more pressure on the visitors in the final period, however, Bowns again came up huge, saving 16 more shots as the Rays killed the game off and sealed a big win - their third this season - against side from South Wales.

As well as their third victory of the season against the Devils, the win is the Cloutier's sides first of the league campaign against an Erhardt Conference side. The Rays have now claimed seven points from an available eight against Cardiff this season.

They now return home from South Wales to face the Sheffield Steelers in a crunch Yorkshire derby.

Rodin re-joins Rays

37 year old Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin has this evening re-joined the Hull Stingrays after stints with English Premier League sides the Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers.

The vastly experienced blueliner joined the Rays in 2011 and recorded seven goals and 17 assists in 45 games last season - helping the club to their first ever Elite Ice Hockey League Playoff Semi-Final berth.

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier was keen to retain the Estonian national team captain last summer, however, he did not return due to the uncertainty surrounding the Stingrays immediate future and left for pastures new.

Rodin joined the Steeldogs alongside fellow former Stingray Derek Campbell but - after a poor start to the season for the South Yorkshire side - both were eventually released, Rodin having recorded a goal, three assists and 32 penalty minutes in 22 games.

While Campbell has temporarily re-joined the Manchester Phoenix - the club that brought him to the UK - Rodin was signed by Tom Watkins' Telford Tigers side.

Having earlier in the year scored a goal and three points as Estonia failed to progress to the next stage of qualifying for the Olympics, Rodin added just an assist in four games in Shropshire.

He requested his release from Telford and worked his two-week's notice before completing his move back to Hull today having been training with the side for the last four weeks.

He joins a Rays defensive corps that has already shed Tomas Valecko this season, with Rodin's teammate from last season Martin Ondrej replacing his fellow Slovakian.

Rodin's signature is expected to shore up a blueline that has recently lost Canadian Jeff Smith to injury. Smith's injury saw a line re-shuffle with enforcer Ryan Hand had reverted to defence - admirably filling in temporarily during the club's last two games - and young Brit Sam Towner receive regular ice-time as a forward.

The Estonian's addition now crucially boosts the club's numbers somewhat as the season passes the halfway mark with the Stingrays trailing in tenth place in the Elite League but mid-table in third in the Gardiner Conference.

Of Rodin re-joining, Cloutier said:

"We have been playing short for a while with Jeff Smith out injured and I felt we needed some help. I am really pleased to have Dmitri back. We have been in contact all season and he has been training with us for the last month. He is an experienced guy, he is a leader, he has been around and we know what he can do – he was our Defenceman of the Year last season. He will do a good job. 

In the summer he had an offer from the Steeldogs and also an off-ice job and at that stage there were no guarantees about the team so he had to put his family first and do what was best for him and his family and I respect that. But things did not work out for him and I am excited to have him back with us. He will solidify our defence and he will also improve our powerplay. He has a great pass, is patient on the puck and has a good shot on him.”

Provided his registration is complete and goes through on-time, Rodin will make his season debut for the Stingrays in Cardiff on Saturday before a return to competitive action at the Hull Arena on Sunday as the Sheffield Steelers return.