Strachan set for Hull return

While the Excel Hull Stingrays former head coach Rick Strachan has not made a sensational return to the club, he will set foot in the Hull Arena for the first time in nearly two years as he brings his new Nottingham Panthers side to East Yorkshire this Sunday.

 Copyright Nottingham Panthers

The 47 year old, who left the Rays by mutual consent in in April 2008, was named bench coach of the Panthers by player-head coach Corey Neilson a week ago, replacing the outgoing Davey Graham, who has seemingly taken the fall for the club's poor form in recent weeks.

That poor run saw them lose four from six at the tail end of 2010, including a pair of post-Christmas defeats to fierce rivals Sheffield, and, with both their coaching and defence coming under particular flak, Strachan has now been drafted in to shore up the defensive side of one of the most offensive bluelines in the league.

Thus far his appointment has gone well with the Panthers going two for two, even if they have seeped a total of nine goals in the 6-5 shootout win over Dundee and emphatic 11-4 victory over bottom side Newcastle.

Meanwhile, the Stingrays, who have just Andrew Jaszczyk, Lee Esders and Lee Mitchell remaining from the Strachan era, face a big weekend of their own as they continue to chase sixth place.

Having closed the gap to sixth placed Braehead to just a couple of points last weekend, the Rays face the Clan in Scotland on Saturday hoping to once again cut the deficit, which has since grown to eight points.

Significantly Sylvain Cloutier's side have played six fewer games than Bruce Richardson's team this season and the Rays lead teams' series having beaten the Clan twice in three games, however, the Scots themselves are closing in on fifth placed Coventry after turning a corner with wins over the Blaze themselves, Nottingham and Edinburgh twice in their last four outings, and they will be eager to level series.

Sunday's game (6pm, Hull Arena) sees Strachan and the Panthers return for revenge having lost in a shootout in their last meeting with the Stingrays at the NIC.

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.

30th/31st October Haloween Weekend Preview

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Saturday 30th October: Cardiff Devils v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Cardiff Bay Arena F/O 7pm 

Sunday 31st October: Excel Hull Stingrays v Cardiff Devils @ Hull Arena 6pm

This weekend the Excel Hull Stingrays face the Cardiff Devils for the second and third times this year having tied with Gerad Adams side on opening day less than a month ago.

The opening fixture between the two sides saw the Rays bounce back from 3-1 down to snatch their first point of the year in their first game. However, the game was marred by an incident which saw Devils blueliner Justin Sawyer ejected and later suspended for a further three games for a sucker punch on Kris Grundmanis, after Rays defencemen had allegedly manhandled top scorer Jon Pelle

Although Sawyer has now left the Devils for 'personal reasons', Adams and his side vowed to get revenge for what happened to Pelle that night and with tough guy and entertainer Brad Voth back from a thumb injury, the two game weekend series looks set to be a corker.

Since the Challenge Cup draw in early October, the Devils have gone on a run that, prior to last night, had seen them win five games in an eight game spell losing to just Belfast and Coventry. However, yesterday the Devils surprisingly handed bottom side Dundee their first win in the Elite League in a 7-3 loss in Scotland.

The Rays have been performing well recently, if not always claiming the points they deserve, and will be without four Brits through injury. Although reinforcements may or may not be on their way this weekend, deadly import trio Jereme Tender, Matti Uusivirta and Jason Silverthorn have filled the void netting ten goals between them in the last three games as Sylvain Cloutier's side picked up three points.

With a Challenge Cup game in Cardiff on Sunday, the more important fixture comes on Halloween on Sunday when Adams side travel to Hull in the Elite League for a Devil of a night.

Challenge Cup Record
Stingrays: 5TH 2GP 0W 1T 1L 6GF 9GA 1PTS
Cardiff: 2ND 5GP 2W 2T 1L 21GF 22GA 3PTS

Elite League Record
Stingrays: 7TH 7GP 2W 4L 1OTL 22GF 29GA 5PTS
Cardiff: 5TH 11GP 7W 5L 0OTL 55GF 45GA 14PTS


Form
Stingrays: L L L W L
Cardiff: W W W W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
14/02/10 7-0 L A
21/03/10 2-3 L H
03/10/10 3-3 D H

Stingrays 10/11 Series 
v Cardiff: 1GP 0 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie 1 point, 3 goals for, 3 goals against.

Top Scorers
Stingrays
G: Tendler (7)
A: Dulle (7)
PIM: Sladok (40)

Cardiff
G: Pelle (18)
A: Matzka (18)
PIM: Michel (76)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Christian Boucher (9GP 4.00GAA 88.7sv.%)
Cardiff: Stevie Lyle (8=17GP 4.22GAA 86.4sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Lee Mitchell (knee), Ryan Lake (broken thumb), Craig Mitchell (broken arm), Lee Esders (knee)
Cardiff: Full Strength

Predictions
Cardiff 4-2 Stingrays
Stingrays 4-3 Cardiff

26th October Midweek Preview

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Tuesday 26th October: Belfast Giants v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Odyssey Arena F/O 7.30pm

The Excel Hull Stingrays face a quick return to action on Tuesday night with an away fixture against last Saturday's opponents the Belfast Giants at the Odyssey Arena in Northern Ireland.

Although the Rays were beaten by the league leaders last time out, they out shot Doug Christiansen's side and ended the game clearly on top of an injury ravaged Belfast side.

The Giants will still be without a number of key players tomorrow night, although Mark Garside has returned to action, but they will be eager to maintain their lead at the top having lost 2-0 to Coventry on Sunday.

Sylvain Cloutier has his own injury worries as the crippling injury curse threatens to make a return with key Brits Ryan Lake, Craig Mitchell and Lee Mitchell all out.

Having proven in those final minutes on Saturday that they can compete with the Giants, injury hit or not, the Rays will want to build on those closing minutes and their win against Newcastle on Sunday with another victory.

In form forwards Jason Silverthorn and Jereme Tender, who has four goals in two games, will be key as will building off Sunday's improved defensive performance.

Elite League
Stingrays: 9th 6GP 2W 4L 0OTL 18GF 24GA 4PTS
Belfast: 1st 15GP 12W 2L 1OTL 59GF 40GA 23PTS

Form
Stingrays: L L L L W
Belfast: W W W W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Belfast

04/02/10 4-2 L A

04/03/10 9-0 L A
23/10/10 3-5 L H

Rays 09/10 Series
v Belfast: 8GP 2W 6L 14GF 37GA 4PTS

Top Scorers
Stingrays
G: Tendler (6)
A: Dulle, Kalmikov, Read (5)
PIM: Sladok (40)

Belfast
G: B.Hemingway (13)
A: Shields (13)
PIM: Welch (28)

Between The Pipes
Stingrays: Boucher (6GP 88.7sv% 4.44GAA)
Belfast: Murphy (14GP 91.6sv% 2.62GAA)

Absentees
Stingrays: Craig Mitchell (broken arm), Lee Mitchell (knee), Ryan Lake (broken thumb), Jozef Sladok
Belfast: Jeff Mason (wrist), Richard Seeley (knee), Colin Hemingway (unspecified injury), Brandon Benedict (leg)

Predictions
Belfast 5-2 Stingrays

23rd/24th October Weekend Preview

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Saturday 23rd October: Excel Hull Stingrays v Belfast Giants @ Hull Arena F/O 7pm

Sunday 24th October: Excel Hull Stingrays v Newcastle Vipers @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

The Excel Hull Stingrays face a home double header against Belfast and Newcastle this weekend looking to get back on track following two contrasting defeats last week.

Having played their worst game of the young season so far in a loss against Newcastle at Whitley Bay last Saturday, the Rays returned home on Sunday and pushed the big spending Nottingham Panthers all the way to the death, eventually falling to a 3-2 loss.

This weekend sees Belfast's all conquering squad travel to Hull for their first game of the year against the Stingrays, having dominated the teams eight game series 7-1 last season. The Rays season may not hinge on their performances against the Elite League's big four but last weekend's home fixture against the Panthers proved that they are capable of competing with the big spenders if they perform well, particularly at home.

Although Belfast have recently signed reinforcements in the shape of former NHLer and regular AHLer Brad Smyth and Brit Ross Dalgleish, they may also take confidence from the fact the Giants have five key players out injured, including defenceman Richard Seeley and forward Colin Hemingway.

That means the Giants will travel to Hull with 13 outskaters, and with Mark Garside likely to return and coach Christiansen also able to suit up if required, they still possess more than enough firepower to continue their good start to the year this weekend, despite surprisingly tight victories over Dundee last week.

The Stingrays home double header continues on Sunday when the Newcastle Vipers journey south hoping to replicate last Saturday's 5-3 victory.

While Cloutier may insist it is just another important fixture in a 56 game journey, the Stingrays will be looking for revenge against a Vipers side that took full advantage of a painfully slow Rays start to win 5-3 at home last Saturday.

Former Coventry team mate Danny Stewart has built his roster from a variety of hockey backgrounds, and they proved last weekend that they are more than capable of beating the Stingrays. Finn Patrick Forsbacka and Latvian Toms Hartmanis impressed at a freezing cold Whitley Bay, however, Cloutier's side eventually got to grips with the intimidating conditions of Whitley Bay and in the end the Vipers were made to work hard for their win.

That lone loss summed up the Rays never-ending troubles on the road against a team they will be competing with for a playoff spot at the end of the season and a team that went on to lose 6-1 at fellow league rivals Edinburgh the following night.

The Rays, who will definitely be without Craig Mitchell and may be without brother Lee Mitchell this weekend, must therefore make up for that poor form away from home by winning as many of their games at Hull Arena as physically possible.

Two positive home performances out of two bodes well for the rest of the year but they must now start to turn those performances into wins, starting with a first game of the year against table topping Belfast before a revenge battle against Newcastle.

Elite League
Stingrays: 9th 4GP 1W 3L 0OTL 11GF 17GA 2PTS
Belfast: 1st 13GP 11W 1L 1OTL 54GF 35GA 23PTS
Newcastle: 7th 10GP 2W 7L 1OTL 23GF 51GA 5PTS

Form
Stingrays: L W L L L
Belfast: W W W W W
Newcastle: W L L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Belfast
23/01/10 3-2 W H

04/02/10 4-2 L A

04/03/10 9-0 L A

v Newcastle
10/03/10 3-2 W H
14/03/10 6-3 W H

16/10/10 5-3 L A

Rays 09/10 Series
v Belfast: 8GP 2W 6L 14GF 37GA 4PTS
v Newcastle: 8GP 5W 3L 33GF 24GA 11PTS

Top Scorers
Stingrays
G: Silverthorn (3)
A: Dulle (4)
PIM: Gaisins, Sladok (11)

Belfast
G: B.Hemingway (10)
A: Shields (13)
PIM: Welch (28)

Newcastle
G: Forsbacka (7)
A: Carroll (7)
PIM: Schwarz (78)

Between The Pipes
Stingrays: Boucher (6GP 87.8sv% 4.33GAA)
Belfast: Murphy (12GP 90.9sv% 2.63GAA)
Newcastle: Effinger (10GP 85sv% 5.03GAA)

Absentees
Stingrays: Craig Mitchell (broken arm), Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee)
Belfast: Jeff Mason (wrist), Richard Seeley (knee), Colin Hemingway (unspecified injury) Mark Garside (doubt; lower body), Brandon Benedict (leg)
Newcastle: Full Strength

Predictions
Stingrays 2-4 Belfast
Stingrays 5-3 Newcastle

16th/17th October Weekend Preview

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Saturday 16th October: Newcastle Vipers (7th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Whitley Bay Ice Rink F/O 7pm

Sunday 17th October: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Nottingham Panthers (3rd) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

Having lost in midweek the Excel Hull Stingrays return to league action this weekend with fixtures against two teams also suffering from a poor run of form in recent weeks.

On Saturday the Rays travel to the intimidating Whitley Bay Ice Rink in the North East to take on a Newcastle Vipers side that has been built nearly completely from scratch this summer. Player-coach Danny Stewart, former team mate of Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier, was the man that brought in that nearly completely new squad, replacing Rob Wilson as coach, but he has so far found changing the Vipers fortunes difficult with just one win in eight games so far this year.

They will be hoping to kick start their year this weekend at home to the Stingrays but will be without forward Jaroslaw Rzeszutko, who will be out for at least another five weeks with a broken wrist. The Polish international is one of three European forwards that has stood out so far this year in a team whose make up is largely young North American's.

The fixture at the Bay, like last weekend's Scottish double header, will be particularly important for the Rays as a yard stick for the year ahead with Cloutier's side expected to be in close competition with the Vipers as well as Dundee, Edinburgh and Braehead in the season ahead.

The Rays then travel home to face a Nottingham Panthers side struggling for form after starting the year on fire. Player-coach Corey Neilson's side won their opening five fixtures, beating fellow title contenders Belfast and Coventry twice, however, they then went on to draw one and lose three of their next four. That brutal run for the Panthers came to an end on Wednesday when they got revenge for Braehead defeating them at the NIC at the end of September by defeating the Scots 5-2 north of the border.

In that game new signing Angel Nikolov registered a goal and three assists after arriving not long before the Panthers travelled to the game and he may be joined this weekend by former AHL forward Rob Bellamy, who is awaiting VISA clearance before coming to the UK, to boost the NIC sides numbers and quality.

They look to have one of the most offensive sides in the league with names like Beauregard, Clarke, Galbraith and new names McDonald, Sproat and Ryan, while former Stingray Stevie Lee returns home again. Needless to say the Rays will have to cut out mistakes that cost them dear on Wednesday in Sheffield if they are to gain anything from Sunday's fixture.

Unfortunately for both sides, Guillaume Lepine, who signed for the Rays in the summer only to leave for Nottingham following Mike and Sue Pack's departure, will not ice and add more spice to the fixture after receiving a ban in a defeat to fierce rivals Sheffield last week.

Nevertheless, the two sides and their supporters will renew their developing rivalry after some fierce battles in the last few seasons with a another healthy attendance expected at the Hull Arena.

Prior to that though the Rays will travel to Newcastle needing points to boost their league campaign ahead of the tough Nottingham fixture in which it would be a surprise to see the home side come away with the spoils.

Elite League
Stingrays: 8TH 2GP 1W 1L 0OTL GF GA 2PTS
Newcastle: 7TH 8GP 1W 6L 1OTL GF GA 3PTS
Nottingham: 3RD 9GP 6W 3L 0OTL GF GA12PTS

Form
Stingrays: D L W L
Newcastle: L L W L L
Nottingham: D L L L W

Last 3 Meetings
v Newcastle
06/03/10 1-7 W A
10/03/10 3-2 W H
14/03/10 6-3 W H

v Nottingham
10/01/10 3-6 L H
06/02/10 9-1 L A
07/03/10 6-7 L H

09/10 Series
v Newcastle: 8GP 5W 3L 33GF 24GA 11PTS
v Nottingham: 9GP 1W 8L 25GF 46GA 4PTS

Top Scorers
Stingrays
G: Kalmikov (3)
A: Dulle (4)
P: Kalmikov, Dulle (5)

Newcastle
G: Forsbacka, Hartmanis, Rzeszutko (3)
A: Speer, Carroll, Mahovsky (4)
P: Carroll, Mahovsky (6)

Nottingham
G: Clarke (10)
A: Zion (8)
P: Beauregard (13)

Between The Pipes
Stingrays: Christian Boucher (4GP 4.50GAA 87.6sv%)
Newcastle: Charlie Effinger (8GP 5.00GAA 85.8sv%)
Nottingham: Craig Kowalski (10GP 3.69GAA 90.5sv%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Craig Mitchell (broken arm)
Newcastle: Jaroslaw Rzeszutko (broken wrist)
Nottingham: Jonathan Zion (groin), Guillaume Lepine (suspension), Marc Levers (groin), Rob Bellamy (doubt; VISA issues)

Predictions
Newcastle 3-4 Stingrays
Stingrays 2-5 Nottingham

13th October Midweek Preview

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Wednesday 13th October: Sheffield Steelers v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Ice Sheffield, F/O 7.30pm

The Excel Hull Stingrays return to action on Wednesday night with their second Challenge Cup fixture of the year, this time against Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers at Ice Sheffield.

Having claimed an encouraging point against Cardiff in their first game of the year the Rays will be hoping to build from that against a Steelers side that are edging closer to mathematical elimination from the group stage of the tournament, having been defeated by Coventry and lost one and drawn one against the same Devils side that the Rays tied on opening day.

New player-coach and former NHLer Ben Simon has built strong roster that has so far this season claimed nine wins from 12 games including eight out of nine in the league.

Like the Stingrays, who lost to Braehead but triumphed over Edinburgh, last weekend was a mixed one for the South Yorkshire side, beating fierce rivals Nottingham 4-1 before going down to title favourites Belfast on Sunday.

Like the Stingrays, who lost defenceman Craig Mitchell to a broken arm, the weekend and game against the Panthers, who come to the Hull Arena this Sunday, did not come without sacrifice with key forward Rob Globke and British defenceman Mark Thomas sustaining injuries that will see them sit out tonight alongside the banned Derek Campbell.

The Steelers loss may be the Rays gain but Sylvain Cloutier's side should not be fooled by Globke's absence because they still possess impressive firepower including returnees Joey Talbot and Jeff Legue,who have combined for 19 goals and 45 points in 24 games during their sides rise to second in the league.

Last year, the two sides split their eight game series at four wins a piece an surprising statistic but pleasing statistic that also saw the Rays win their first ever game at the Sheffield Arena. That record will be something Cloutier would be over the moon to replicate this season given the Steelers outstanding start to the year.

His side have had an indifferent but positive start to the year, winning one, drawing one and losing one, but he will be hoping for victory at Ice Sheffield to really kick start the club's season and Challenge Cup campaign.

Challenge Cup
Stingrays 4TH 1GP 0W 0L 1T 3GF 3GA 1PT
Sheffield 5TH 3GP 0W 2L 1T 11GF 16GA 1PT

Form
Stingrays: D L W
Sheffield: L W W L W

Last 3 Meetings
v Sheffield
28/02/10 6-2 L A
13/03/10 2-3 W A
21/03/10 7-4 W H

Stingrays 09/10 Series
v Sheffield: 8GP 4W 4L 23GF 29GA 8PTS

Key Player
Stingrays: Kurtis Dulle (3GP 1+2 0PIM)
Sheffield: Jeff Legue (12GP 10+10 10PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Christian Boucher (3GP 4.00GAA 89.4sv.%)
Sheffield: Ervins Mustukovs (12GP 2.42GAA 92.6sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Craig Mitchell (broken arm), Ryan Lake (work commitments)
Sheffield: Mark Thomas (groin), Rob Globke (concussion), Derek Campbell (suspension)

Predictions
Sheffield 5-3 Stingrays

9th/10th October Weekend Preview

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Saturday 9th October: Braehead Clan v Hull Stingrays @ Braehead Arena, F/O 7pm
Sunday 10th October: Edinburgh Capitals v Hull Stingrays @ Murrayfield Ice Rink, F/O 6pm

After one long wait for hockey action comes another albeit shorter wait. With the next home game not for another a week and a half, the Rays follow up their encouraging 3-3 Challenge Cup tie against Cardiff last weekend with a Scottish league double header against Braehead and Edinburgh that will be a good yardstick for the early part of the season.

The Stingrays showed determination and resilience to blow off the summer cobwebs last weekend, tying the game at three and hitting the post with seconds remaining after being 3-1 down with goals coming from debutant Matti Uusivirta, returnee Ryan Lake and coach Sylvain Cloutier. It was a gritty, hardworking 60 minute opening performance from the Rays in front of a healthy 1000 strong crowd and that momentum will be important during the coming fixtures

This weekends opponents both look set to be scrapping for mid-table mediocrity as opposed to an Elite League title in the coming year and, while they have a few weeks head start on the Rays, the double header should be a better marker as to where all three sides abilities lay this season.

Braehead, whom the Rays face for the first ever time on Saturday, were predicted by many to struggle in the coming year, both on and off the ice. That was never going to be the case with former EIHL 30 goal scorer Brendan Cook, point per game CHLer Bobby Chaumont and former DEL defenceman Jon Landry joining a club whose supposed owner is Nottingham's Neil Black.

Initial impressions have been very positive for the Clan and their new fanbase. A win over Scottish rivals Dundee was quickly followed by the shock fixture of the young season so far, as former Panthers favourite and Clan player-coach Bruce Richardson went to the NIC and handed the Panthers their first loss of the season, a bitter sweet moment for backer of both clubs Black.

The following night they were brought back down to earth with a 5-3 loss to the same Devils side that the Rays came close to defeating last week while last weekend they split a home-away series with the Newcastle Vipers, winning in a shootout at home before struggling to a loss at notorious Whitley Bay.

The aforementioned Richardson, Cook, Chaumont and Landry will be tough to beat, and a backing cast of familiar names inclduing former Manchester forward Kyle Bruce, former Stingray and Hull raised Kevin Phillips and Cedric Bernier, brother of former Stingray tough guy Jonathan Bernier, won't make things much easier. Needless to say the Clans positive start to the year sees the Rays visit Braehead Arena, which turned out more than 1600 in their first ever home fixture, on the crest of a wave with both sides hoping to top the bottom back at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, on Sunday the Rays travel to old foes Edinburgh Capitals to take on a side that has continued their tradition as the Elite League's slow starters.

Already decimated by a number of injuries, they have wins over Dundee (3-2) and Newcastle (7-4) to their name so far this year but have lost 8-0 to Sheffield and were massacred 12-4 by Cardiff in midweek prior to the Devils visit to the Hull Arena last weekend.

Although it looks like being a rollercoaster of a ride in the Scottish capital this season, new coach Brad Gratton, like his predecessor Doug Christiansen, has signed a couple of gems that will more than hold their own in the Elite League. Californian born Alex Kim joins the Caps from the Asia, where he hit 75 points in 35 games after regularly netting in the ECHL four years ago, and he has joined up well with fellow new signing Chris St.Jacques, who hit 99 points in the Dutch league last season, with the pair accounting for eight goals and 19 points so far this year.

The Caps and their severely decimated blueline very nearly beat the Coventry Blaze last weekend, eventually running out of steam to lose 6-4. But with the news that American defenceman Jacques Perreault is finally set to join up the the squad following VISA issues, things are beginning to look up for a Caps side hoping to hit early highs of their season long rollercoaster with games against struggler's Dundee and the Rays this weekend.

Cloutier and his Stingrays squad will be looking to continue momentum from an encouraging weekend and get off to a good start in the league with a full strength squad travelling for a weekend in Scotland.


EIHL

Stingrays: 9TH 0GP 0W 0L 0OTL 0GF 0GA 0PTS

Braehead: 6TH 5GP 2W 2L 1OTL 18GF 17GA 6PTS

Edinburgh: 8TH 6GP 1W 5L 0OTL 19GF 41GA 2PTS

Form

Stingrays: X X X X D

Braehead: W W L W L

Edinburgh: L L W L L

Last 3 Meetings

v Braehead

First Meeting

v Edinburgh

26/12/09 3-4 W A

27/12/09 5-3 W H

24/02/10 5-4 L A

Stingrays 09/10 Series

v Braehead: First Meeting

v Edinburgh: 8GP 4W 4L 10PTS 30GF 33GA

Key Player

Stingrays: D Kurtis Dulle (1GP 0+1 0PIM)

Braehead: F Brendan Cook (GP5 4+1 8PIM)

Edinburgh: F Alex Kim (7GP 4+7 0PIM)

Between The Pipes

Stingrays: Christian Boucher (1GP 3.00GAA 93.5sv.%)

Braehead: J F Perras (5GP 3.15GAA 89.6sv.%)

Edinburgh: Scott Reid (7GP 6.14GAA 85.9sv.%)

Absentees

Stingrays: Full Strength

Braehead: Full Strength

Edinburgh: Daniel Madsen (doubt; leg ligament), Neil Hay (ankle)

Predictions

Braehead 4-2 Stingrays

Edinburgh 3-4 Stingrays

3rd October Weekend Preview

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Sunday 3rd October: Excel Hull Stingrays v Cardiff Devils @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm

The Excel Hull Stingrays return to the ice this weekend for the first time since their hugely disappointing quarter final defeat to the Coventry Blaze in the clubs first foray into the Elite League playoffs more than 180 days ago.

Few foresaw the summer ahead on a March Sunday night on which the Rays succumbed to a 4-1 defeat in Coventry having held the league champions to a one goal lead in the first leg at the Hull Arena.

The Rays return to action tonight with new owners, ironically from that same Coventry side, a twice signed 19 man squad and a fanbase incredibly grateful to see the top flight return to the city.

Sunday's opponents the Cardiff Devils have had a somewhat boring but stable summer in comparison. While a number of stand out players have returned, including Mark Richardson, Brad Voth, Stevie Lyle and Max Birbraer, new signings Jon Pelle, Scott Matzka and Justin Sawyer have really caught the eye early on.

Perennial darkhorses for the Elite League title, the Devils and their new acquisitions began the season with defeat in their opening three fixtures against the very same Belfast, Sheffield and Nottingham sides that they will have to beat and finish above if they are to finally live up the their tag as potential champions.

Although Gerad Adams side haven't quite done away the poor form away from Cardiff Bay that killed off their challenge last season, with an 0-2-1 record this year, they have begun to turn their season around with four wins and a draw in five games since losing their opening three on the trot.

Last time the two clubs met the Devils skated away with narrow 3-2 victory on the final weekend of last years regular season with Phil Hill netting the crucial game winning goal to condemn the Rays to bottom spot in the Elite League and a playoff matchup with the Blaze. That victory gave the Welsh side their eighth win over Sylvain Cloutier's side in ten meetings and that is certainly something the Rays coach will be hoping to reverse this year.

Historically, the Stingrays story on opening weekend is one of indiscipline with unsavoury incidents involving Canadian forwards Rick Kozak and Curtis Huppe plaguing the beginning of each of the last two season, with big bans handed out for both players.

Such incidents will need to be avoided this year if the club are to get off to that crucial good start, both on the night and for the season ahead. Incident or not that will be no easy feat against a Cardiff side that last time out demolished Edinburgh 12-4 to emphatically take their goal tally in the last five games to 33.

Whatever happens, you can bet that the Hull Arena and the anticipated large crowd will be rocking, just thankful to once again have top flight hockey grace the cities ice.

Challenge Cup Record
Stingrays: 5TH 0GP 0W 0T 0L 0GF 0GA 0PTS
Cardiff: 2ND 2GP 1W 1T 0L 11GF 10GA 3PTS

Form
Stingrays: N/A
Cardiff: W W D W W

Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
13/02/10 2-3 L H
14/02/10 7-0 L A
21/03/10 2-3 L H

Stingrays 09/10 Series 
v Cardiff: 2 wins, 8 losses, 4 points, 18 goals for, 43 goals against.

Key Player
Stingrays: Konstantin Kalmikov (0GP 0+0 0PIM)
Cardiff: Jon Pelle (8GP 8+9 4PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Christian Boucher (0GP 0GAA 0sv.%)
Cardiff: Stevie Lyle (8GP 4.77GAA 85.5sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Full strength
Cardiff: Brad Voth (doubt)

Predictions
Stingrays 3-4 Cardiff

Playoff Quarter Final Weekend Preview: Stingrays v Coventry

 

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 EIHL PLAYOFF QUARTER FINAL

Saturday 27th March 2010: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Coventry Blaze (1st) @ Hull Arena F/O 5.30pm

Sunday 28th March 2010: Coventry Blaze (1st) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Skydome Arena F/O 6pm

This is it, the moment the Excel Hull Stingrays have been building up to for four long years. An Elite League playoff quarter final. Two legs of intense playoff action with the winner heading to the coveted final four weekend in Nottingham and the loser dusting off the golf clubs and hitting the course for an agonising six month summer.

Okay, so the Stingrays haven't exactly earned the right to be there, with all eight EIHL clubs automatically qualifying after a 56 game regular season, but try telling that to Sylvain Cloutier and his players, who have just completed the most successful Elite League campaign in the teams short history.

Whether they are worth it or not, the Stingrays are in their first ever Elite League Playoff Quarter Final and they have been presented with a huge chance to make the league's showpiece event for the first time.

They needn't even win two games, winning one game by two goals and keeping the other within one will be enough.

Of course, standing in their way are the four time and 09/10 Elite League Champion Coventry Blaze. A team that dominated the Stingrays during the regular season by netting 46 goals in the ten games between the sides, claiming nine wins in the process. Composed of offensive talent and solid defence in equal measure, the Blaze, coached by current Great Britain coach Paul Thompson, led the Elite League from the front this year and didn't look back.

The Rays will naturally and fairly be labelled the underdogs having claimed just one win over the Blaze all season and having occupied bottom spot for most of the season, however, that win sole win did come in the last meeting between the two sides and the Stingrays have hit form post-Christmas. 

If, just if, Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays can continue post-Christmas home form that has seen them claim nine wins in 13 games by notching up another victory to add to that impressive tally then, with the second leg in Coventry to come, the odds of a shock Stingrays victory may begin to fall. The home leg of the tie is crucial for both sides, lose that, in front of your own fans and it either be an uphill struggle or it'll already be over.

It is a big chance, a huge chance, for Cloutier and his team to get the Stingrays to a place many fans never thought they'd see the team. A two game push to qualify for the final four in Nottingham.

For the first time, it's playoff hockey time! Go Stingrays!

Form
Stingrays: W W W L W
Coventry: L W W W L

Last 3 Meetings 
v Coventry
17/01/10 5-3 L A
31/01/10 6-1 L A
27/02/10 2-1 W H

Stingrays Season Series v Coventry Blaze

Record: 1 win, 9 losses (Series Lost)

Points: 2 points

Goals for: 23 (2.3 av. per game)

Goals against: 46 (4.6 av. per game)

Key Players
Stingrays 
Konstantin Kalmikov (54GP 31+27 4PIM) The Ukrainian sharpshooter will need to return to form that saw him hit ten goals in nine games at the end of February and beginning of March, which ultimately saw him crowned player and forward of the season. Somewhat worryingly, in the three games since March 10 he has failed to tally one goal and while for most players this would be but a small blip in a brilliant season, Kalmikov's presence and goal scoring ability is vital to the Rays success.

Curtis Huppe (52GP 19+23 36PIM) It will be hoped that assistant coach Huppe will reproduce the four goal, five point effort from last weekend, this weekend against his former club Coventry. The same drive, determination and, most importantly, goal tally is required from Huppe, particularly if Kalmikov is out of form or is being marked out of the game.

George Halkidis (46GP 6+15 36PIM) Halkidis has had a rollercoaster ride in his return to hockey after a year out due to a shoulder injury last year. Points and defensive solidity have come back to his game eventually and, although mistakes and poor positioning have cost the Rays a number of times this season, more of the former will be needed this weekend if the Rays are to move to the semi finals.

Coventry
Jonathan Weaver (56GP 13+54 50PIM) GB defenceman and former Hull Thunder forward Weaver doesn't flinch in the big games. His offensive ability from the back is unquestioned but it is his defensive qualities that will be most important for the Blaze this weekend. Theoretically they have more than enough firepower to deal with the Stingrays, therefore the risk of Weaver carrying the puck forward on the rush is somewhat unnecessary. His shot from the blueline on the Coventry powerplay could be a game winner for Thompson.

Luke Fulghum (56GP 48+32 62PIM) After joining from an impressive Manchester side in summer, little more than secondary scoring was expected from Fulghum in Coventry colours after the service he received from Tony Hand in Altrincham. 48 goals in 56 games is what the forward congered up this season and included in that 12 goals in ten games against the Rays. A Stingray killer you could call him, he has scored in all eight games against the Rays and it is certain that he will be deadly once again this weekend.

Adam Calder (45GP 33+27 82PIM) The Canadian popped up at the perfect time to net a hat-trick, including the championship winning goal in overtime against Edinburgh last weekend. His decision to quit the Blaze and move North as player/coach of Braehead next season is now well known, although not officially announced, and he will want to leave Coventry on a high. Well up there in all-time Elite League goal and point scorers list, Calder is dangerous at the worst of times but this weekend, with the end of his Blaze career in sight, he will want to extend that career for at the very least another game.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (22GP 3.73GAA 89.8sv.%) The signing of the Latvian in place of Swede Tommy Sandahl was a masterstroke by Cloutier. Since he joined the team has gone on the kind of impressive run of form that was expected from the beginning in Hull with the only possible criticism now being that Raitums should have been brought in sooner. Raitums, who once faced Canada at the Olympics, has looked assured and confident in the Stingrays net behind a defence that does, on occasion, go missing. If the Stingrays are to progress two massive games are needed from the Latvian netminder.

Coventry: Peter Hirsch (58GP 3.00GAA 91.5SV.%) After a year of JF Perras, the Blaze have finally found an adequate replacement for Trevor Koenig in former Denmark number one keeper Hirsch. The 31 year old, like Koenig before him, has been consistent in the Blaze goal and that, in itself, has helped them to the title this season, despite, incredibly, criticisms of the defence in front of him. Realistically, if the Blaze play to their strengths and undoubted ability, Hirsch should have to be no more than solid this weekend. If he is being called on too much, chances are a cracking series is in the making.

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gaisins (broken hand)
Coventry: Full Strength

Predictions
Stingrays 4-3 Coventry
Coventry 4-2 Stingrays

Other Games
Belfast Giants (2nd) v Newcastle Vipers (7th)
Nottingham Panthers (3rd) v Edinburgh Capitals (6th)
Cardiff Devils (4th) v Sheffield Steelers (5th)

20th/21st March Final Weekend Preview

V

 Saturday 20th March: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Cardiff Devils (4th) @ Hull Arena F/O 5.30pm

Sunday 21st March: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Sheffield Steelers (5th) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: W L W W W
Cardiff: L W L L W
Sheffield: W W L L L

Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
30/01/10 2-1 W H
13/02/10 2-3 L H
14/02/10 7-0 L A

v Sheffield
21/02/10 3-2 W H
28/02/10 6-2 L A
13/03/10 2-3 W A

Season Series
v Cardiff: 2-7, 4 points, 17 GF, 40 GA
v Sheffield: 3-4, 6 points, 16GF, 25GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Konstantin Kalmikov (54GP 31+27 4PIM)
Cardiff: Max Birbraer (52GP 22+34 56PIM)
Sheffield: Jeff Legue (54GP 33+40 70PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (20GP 3.75GAA 89.9sv.%)
Cardiff: Stevie Lyle (54GP 2.72GAA 90.8sv.%)
Sheffield: Andrew Verner (46GP 2.83 90.0sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gaisins (broken hand)
Cardiff: Brad Voth (suspended)
Sheffield: Rod Sarich (broken foot)

Predictions
Stingrays 3-1 Cardiff
Stingrays 4-3 Sheffield

12th/13th March Weekend Preview

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Saturday 13th March: Sheffield Steelers (5th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Sheffield Arena F/O 7pm
Sunday 14th March: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Newcastle Vipers (7th) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L L W L W
Sheffield: W W W W L
Newcastle: L W L L L


Last 3 Meetings
v Sheffield
24/01/10 2-5 W A
21/02/10 3-2 W H
28/02/10 6-2 L A

 v Newcastle
20/02/10 5-4 L A
06/03/10 1-7 W A
10/03/10 3-2 W H

Season Series
v Sheffield: 2-4, 4 points, 13GF, 23GA
v Newcastle: 4-3, 9 points, 27 GF, 21 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: George Halkidis (42GP 6+15 30PIM)
Sheffield: Matt Hubbauer (41GP 22+19 91PIM)
Newcastle: Brent Hughes (13GP 5+8 14PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (18GP 3.9GAA 89.7sv.%)
Newcastle: Michel Robinson (39GP 3.8GAA 90.7sv.%)
Sheffield: Andrew Verner (44GP 2.77GAA 90.0sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gasins (broken hand)
Newcastle: Full Strength
Sheffield: Rod Sarich (broken foot)

Predictions
Sheffield 2-3 Stingrays
Stingrays 4-1 Newcastle

27th/28th February Weekend Preview

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Saturday 27th February: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Coventry Blaze (1st) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm
Sunday 28th February: Sheffield Steelers (6th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Sheffield Arena F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L L L W L
Coventry: L W L L W
Sheffield: W L L L W

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
16/01/10 4-5 L H
17/01/10 5-3 L A
31/01/10 6-1 L H

v Sheffield
05/12/09 1-5 L H
24/01/10 2-5 W A
21/02/10 3-2 W H

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-8, 0 points, 17GF, 42GA
v Sheffield: 2-3, 2 points, 11GF, 17GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Lee Mitchell
Coventry: Dan Carlson
Sheffield: Mike Sgroi

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums
Coventry: Peter Hirsch
Sheffield: Andrew Verner

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gaisins (broken hand)
Coventry: Adam Calder (knee)
Sheffield: Full Strength

Predictions
Stingrays 2-3 Coventry
Sheffield 1-3 Stingrays

V

Saturday 20th February: Newcastle Vipers (7th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Whitley Bay F/O 6.30pm
Sunday 21st February: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Sheffield Steelers (6th) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L L W L L
Newcastle: W L L L W
Sheffield: W W L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Newcastle
03/01/10 5-3 W H
09/01/10 5-2 L A
07/02/10 5-3 W H

v Sheffield
21/11/09 4-1 L A
05/12/09 1-5 L H
24/01/10 2-5 W A

Season Series
v Newcastle: 2-2, 4 points, 13 GF, 13 GA
v Sheffield: 1-3, 2 points, 5 GF, 18 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Pavel Gomenyuk (29GP 4+13 69PIM)
Newcastle: Jerrmaine Domish (44GP 3+17 44PIM)
Sheffield: Mike Sgroi (9GP 2+5 29PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (9GP 3.67GAA 90.2sv.%)
Newcastle: Michel Robinson (32GP 3.66GAA 91sv.%)
Sheffield: Andrew Verner (36GP 2.72GAA 90sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gasins (broken hand)
Newcastle: David Longstaff (knee), Dean Holland (knee)
Sheffield: Full Strength

Predictions
Newcastle 3-4 Stingrays
Stingrays 3-4 Sheffield

13th/14th Weekend Preview

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Saturday 13th February: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Cardiff Devils (4th) @ Hull Arena F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 14th February: Cardiff Devils (4th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Cardiff Bay Ice Rink F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: W L L L W
Cardiff: L L W L L

Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
22/11/09 5-1 L A
19/12/09 6-0 L A
30/01/10 2-1 W H

Season Series
v Cardiff: 2-5, 4 points, 15 GF, 30 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Curtis Huppe (38GP 12+15 32PIM)
Cardiff: Wes Jarvis (36GP 13+16 51PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (7GP 3.71GAA 89.9sv.%)
Cardiff: Stevie Lyle (48GP 2.82GAA 90.6sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Aivars Gasins (broken hand)
Cardiff: Ryan Finnerty (suspended)

Predictions
Stingrays 3-2 Cardiff
Cardiff 4-1 Stingrays

Notes
- Scans have revealed that the Stingrays defenceman-turned-forward Aivars Gaisins will have to sit out for at least four weeks after breaking his hand in his second Rays game in Belfast.
- Ben Lowe will play in his first two games as a permanent edition to the Stingrays roster this weekend against Cardiff after being signed to a full contract earlier in the week.

4th/6th/7th Week Preview

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Thursday 4th February: Belfast Giants (3rd) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Dundonald Ice Rink F/O 7pm

Saturday 6th February: Nottingham Panthers (2nd) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Trent FM Arena F/O 7pm
Sunday 7th February: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Newcastle Vipers (6th) @ Hull Arena F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L W W W L
Belfast: W L L W W
Nottingham: W W L L W
Newcastle: W L L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Belfast
28/10/09 5-2 L A
29/10/09 3-2 W H
23/01/10 3-2 W H

v Nottingham
20/12/09 5-4 W H
02/01/10 4-1 L A
10/01/09 3-6 L H

v Newcastle
01/11/09 2-1 L A
03/01/10 5-3 W H
09/01/10 5-2 L A

Season Series
v Belfast: 2-3, 4 points, 12 GF, 24 GA
v Nottingham: 1-5, 4 points, 17 GF, 24 GA
v Newcastle: 1-2, 2 points, 8 GF, 10 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Adam Knight (35GP 5+9 118PIM)
Belfast: Craig Peacock (39GP 13+11 28PIM)
Nottingham: Jay Henderson (1GP 1+0 0PIM)
Newcastle: Ryan Jorde (1GP 0+0 0PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (4GP 2.75GAA 93.1sv.%)
Belfast: Stephen Murphy (35GP 2.09GAA 92.6sv.%)
Nottingham: Kevin St-Pierre (42GP 2.88GAA 90.5sv.%)
Newcastle: Michel Robinson (28GP 3.46GAA 91.4sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Jeff Glowa (doubt; concussion)
Belfast: Full Strength
Nottingham: Full Strength
Newcastle: David Longstaff (knee)

Predictions
Belfast 3-4 Stingrays
Nottingham 3-2 Stingrays
Stingrays 5-3 Newcastle

Notes
- Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier is set to ice in his 1000th professional game on Sunday against Newcastle.
- James Archer, on a two-way contract from the Sheffield Scimitars, will ice for the Stingrays in Belfast.
- Aivar Gaisins is set to switch back to his natural position as a defenceman this week after making his Stingrays debut as a forward against Coventry on Sunday
- Nottingham signing former NHLer Jay Henderson will make his home debut against the Stingrays on Sunday.
- Newcastle defenceman Ryan Jorde will face his former side, the Excel Hull Stingrays, for the first time on Sunday after being released earlier in the season.

29th/30th January Weekend Preview

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Saturday 29th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Cardiff Devils (4th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm

Sunday 30th January: Coventry Blaze (2nd) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Coventry Skydome, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: L L L W W
Coventry: W W L W L

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
30/12/09 2-5 L H
16/01/10 4-5 L H
17/01/10 5-3 L A

v Cardiff
31/10/09 5-7 L H
22/11/09 5-1 L A
19/12/09 6-0 L A

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-7, 0 points, 16GF, 34GA
v Cardiff: 1-5, 2 points, 13 GF, 29 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Lee Esders (36GP 6+3 32PIM)
Cardiff: Phil Hill (37GP 14+16 28PIM)
Coventry: Greg Owen (28GP 13+13 32PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Martins Raitums (2GP 2.00GAA 94.2sv.%)
Cardiff: Stevie Lyle (37GP 2.86GAA 90.47sv.%)
Coventry: Peter Hirsch (38GP 2.84GAA 91.7sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Full Strength
Cardiff: Tylor Michel (ankle)
Coventry: Adam Calder (knee)

Predictions
Stingrays 4-3 Cardiff
Coventry 4-2 Stingrays

16th/17th January Weekend Preview

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Saturday 16th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Coventry Blaze (1st) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm

Sunday 17th January: Coventry Blaze (1st) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Coventry Skydome, F/O 7.30pm

Form
Stingrays: L L W L L
Coventry: W W W L W

Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
08/11/09 5-2 L A
15/11/09 0-5 L H
30/12/09 2-5 L H

Season Series
v Coventry: 0-6, 0 points, 13GF, 29GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Curtis Huppe (32GP 11+11 32PIM)
Coventry: Adam Calder (38GP 28+23 76PIM)

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (34GP 4.09GAA 89.6sv.%)
Coventry: Peter Hirsch (37GP 2.87GAA 91.9sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Full Strength
Coventry: Jason Robinson (doubt)

Predictions
Coventry 5-3 Stingrays
Stingrays 2-3 Coventry

9th/10th January Weekend Preview

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Saturday 9th January: Newcastle Vipers (5th) v Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) @ Whitley Bay Ice Rink, F/O 6.30pm
Sunday 10th January: Excel Hull Stingrays (8th) v Nottingham Panthers (2nd) @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm

Form
Stingrays: W W L L W
Nottingham: W W W W L
Newcastle: W L L L L

Last 3 Meetings
v Nottingham
13/12/09 4-3 SOL A
20/12/09 5-4 W H
02/01/10 4-1 L A

v Newcastle
07/02/09 2-1 W H
01/11/09 2-1 L A
03/01/10 5-3 W H

Season Series
v Nottingham: 1-4, 4 points, 14 GF, 18 GA
v Newcastle: 1-1, 2 points, 6 GF, 5 GA

Players to Watch
Stingrays: Stephen Burns (35Gp 3+4 59PIM) After receiving some moderate criticism early in the season, 25 year old defenceman Burns turned up the intensity shortly and in recent weeks has begun to show why coach Sylvain Cloutier offered him a two-year university deal with the Stingrays in the summer. While he may not register on the scoreboard that often, his tenacity in defence and ability to throw a hit provides the Rays rearguard with another useful attribute.

Newcastle: Michel Robinson (27GP 3.19GAA 91.5.sv%) The French-Canadian netminder, who has been selected by Corey Neilson to the Elite League Overseas All Star squad, has been one of the league leaders between the pipes, helping the Vipers into a strong position pre-Christmas. It is no coincidence that, since he has been sidelined by an injury, the Vipers form has drastically dropped off.

Nottingham: Kevin Bergin (39GP 9+12 50PIM) Bergin has been an unusually quite visitor to the Hull Arena so far this season, primarily because he has missed a couple of the heated Stingrays-Panthers bouts. Nevertheless, the 28 year old tough guy, in his fourth season in the Elite League, always seems to save something special for the Rays, more often than not playing a key role on the game winning goal.

Between the Pipes
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (34GP 4.09GAA 89.6sv.%)
Newcastle: Michel Robinson (27GP 3.19GAA 91.5.sv%)
Nottingham: Kevin St-Pierre (38GP 2.84GAA 90.8sv.%)

Absentees
Stingrays: Sylvain Cloutier (knee), James Hutchinson (hand)
Nottingham: Full Strength
Newcastle: Full Strength

Predictions
Newcastle 2-3 Stingrays
Stingrays 3-4 Nottingham