Point in Cardiff ensures Stingrays retain sixth place

Cardiff Devils 2-1 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight ensured they claimed three points from an available four this weekend as they took the Cardiff Devils to overtime and then a shootout before falling by two goals to one on sudden death penalty shots.

The Stingrays - without injured forward Jason Silverthorn - fell behind with just 28 seconds remaining in the first period thanks to a Mac Faulkner goal but Matty Davies struck with 91 seconds remaining in the second period to tie the game up.

A goalless but physical third period followed before the tie went into overtime and then penalty shots.

First round shootout goals from Jereme Tendler and Jake Morrisette and misses from Guillaume Doucet, Max Birbraer, Carl Lauzon and Tomas Kurka then saw penalty shots progress into sudden death.

Tendler and Morrisette missed their sudden death attempts before a miss from Doucet - who produced a massive shootout goal to give the Stingrays the shootout win in Cardiff earlier in the season - allowed Birbraer to claim the extra point for a resurgent Cardiff side.

The incredibly hard fought and valuable point for the Stingrays narrows the deficit between them and Cardiff in eighth to just one point.

Following Coventry's win in Nottingham tonight the Stingrays are now just three points behind the fifth place Panthers, however, they are also now equal on 40 points with the Blaze in sixth place in a tightly packed Elite League.

Nevertheless, shootout loss ensures the gap between the Rays and Fife Flyers in ninth spot in the Elite League is 12 points - down from 13 points last night after Fife's triumph over Edinburgh this evening.

Sylvain Cloutier's side return to action live on Premier Sports on Wednesday night against the Flyers at Hull Arena before two Erhardt Conference fixtures in Belfast and at home to Nottingham next weekend.

Panthers come from behind to defeat Stingrays

Nottingham Panthers 6-4 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight fell agonisingly short of a famous victory in Nottingham, leading the Panthers 4-2 after 30 minutes only to lose 6-4 to the reigning Elite League champions.

Sylvain Cloutier's side held an unlikely 3-2 lead into the first intermission thanks to a Carl Lauzon double and a Jereme Tendler goal, with Nottingham's markers coming from Matt Ryan and David Clarke.

The Rays extended their lead to two goals on 23.56 as Guillaume Doucet notched a powerplay goal, however, the Panthers comeback 10 minutes later as Robert Lachowicz narrowed the deficit to one goal.

Crucially, Clarke then popped up for the second time in the match and levelled the scores with just over three minutes remaining in the period.

The Stingrays - who were outshot 43-23 overall - were able to fire just five shots on Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski in the final period as Lachowicz recorded the game winning goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the game before Petr Kalus added a sixth with less than 30 seconds remaining.

The defeat is the Stingrays third in a row following their seven game win streak and Cloutier will be hoping to halt losing run with a big weekend coming up next week against the Cardiff Devils and Fife Flyers - who both rivals for the final couple of playoff spots.

Blaze bring Stingrays crashing back down to earth

Hull Stingrays 1-6 Coventry Blaze

Less than a week after their club record six game unbeaten run came to an end, the Hull Stingrays saw their seven game unbeaten home run end in disappointing fashion as they were thrashed 6-1 by the Coventry Blaze.

Trailing after one period thanks to Ryan Ginand's first period powerplay goal, it was the Blaze top line of Ashley Tait, Michael Henrich and Adam Henrich that did the damage to the Stingrays in the second and third period. The trio combined for four goals and six assists in the final 40 minutes with new signing Kelsey Wilson's 36th minute goal the only marker that didn't involve one of the trio.

GB international Tait helped himself to two second period goals and three assists overall while Adam Henrich bagged two third period goals and an assist.

The Stingrays outshot the Blaze 19-9 in the second period, however, despite outplaying their opponents, they found themselves 4-1 down, and that after Sylvain Cloutier's shorthanded goal on 38.36.

Unbeaten run ends as Stingrays lose in Glasgow

Braehead Clan 3-0 Hull Stingrays

A goal in each period from the Braehead Clan in Glasgow tonight ended the Hull Stingrays club record six game unbeaten run as they ran out victors by three goals to nil.

Ryan Finnerty's side - who have been defeated by the Stingrays in all five meetings this season - will have been eager to end their torrid run against their opponents and opened the scoring in an even first period through Matt Towe on 17.24.

The Clan took further control of the game in the second - outshooting the Rays 10-6 - and they would score again late in the period with Shane Lust doubling their lead at a crucial time with less than two minutes remaining in the second.

In a disciplined 60 minutes from both sides that produced only three minor penalties - two for the Clan and one for the Rays - the Clan registered their third goal of the game on their only powerplay of the game through Joel Champagne on 46.53.

That would be enough for Braehead to register their first win of the season against the Stingrays at their sixth attempt, thus ending the club record unbeaten run at six games.

Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier will be delighted with his sides magnificent performances during the run and, equally, the characteristics they side have shown over the last three weeks to maintain the streak despite not playing their best hockey at times.

He will now be focused on ensuring his side do not dwell on the loss and rebound as soon as possible in order to maintain their sixth position in the Elite League and their charge for top spot in Gardiner Conference - which was their primary goal at the beginning of the season.

After returning a 5-1 record from six consecutive conference games to solidify their charge for the conference title, the Stingrays return to action against Erhardt Conference sides next weekend as they take on the Coventry Blaze at home on Saturday and Nottingham Panthers away from home on Sunday.

Bowns stops 43 shots as Stingrays claim overtime victory in Coventry

Coventry Blaze 1-2 Hull Stingrays (OT)

Netminder Ben Bowns tonight stopped 43 shots and Matty Davies netted the game-winning goal on his return to the team as the Hull Stingrays defeated the Coventry Blaze 2-1 in overtime at the Skydome.

Having outshot their visitors 14-7 in the first period but come away empty handed, it was the Blaze that eventually opened the scoring through Ashley Tait 1.04 into the second period.

Tait would be handed a chance to extend Coventry's lead later in the game with a third period penalty shot on 43.14, however, Bowns would this time get the better of his GB teammate.

Coventry would go on to regret that miss though as just over 30 after Tait's miss Jereme Tendler leveled the scores with his 30th goal of the season on the powerplay.

In a niggly game, screened live on Premier Sports the Blaze time and again came up empty handed against Bowns - particularly on the man advantage, which went 0 for 6 - and it would be the Stingrays that would make the most of their powerplay opportunities.

2.07 into the overtime period Davies would pop up on his return from injury to bag the game winning goal with assists from Carl Lauzon and Nikolai Ladygin.

The win is the Stingrays second in five games against Coventry this season and nudges them a point closer to the Blaze - who now lie just one point ahead of Sylvain Cloutier's side in sixth.

Stingrays fall to Steelers

Sheffield Steelers 6-3 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight fell to their third defeat against Sheffield Steelers this season, losing out by six goals to three at a sold out Ice Sheffield.

Early goals from Stefan Meyer and Steven Goertzen gave the home side a two goal lead after just 3.18.

Nikolai Ladygin recorded his first goal since rejoining the Stingrays on the powerplay 15.39 to pull one back however Jonathan Phillips restored the Steelers two goal advantage heading into the first intermission less than 60 seconds later.

Doug Christiansen's side then took a commanding and decisive 6-1 lead following second period goals from Jeff Legue and Robert Dowd, and then an early third period goal from Meyer.

The Stingrays added two late goals through Jason Silverthorn and Jereme Tendler but it was too little too late for Sylvain Cloutier's side.

They return to action on Saturday night as they take on the Coventry Blaze at the Skydome live on Premier Sports before taking on the Fife Flyers at the Hull Arena for the first time this season.

Shortbenched Stingrays suffer double defeat in Belfast

Belfast Giants 6-1 Hull Stingrays (L/CC)

The Hull Stingrays hopes of reaching sixth place in the Elite League and the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup were tonight dashed in Northern Ireland as they were defeated by six goals to one by the Belfast Giants in a doubled up league and cup quarter final fixture.

Sylvain Cloutier's side have been performing well short-benched in recent weeks and they were again without suspended import Martin Ondrej and Pavel Gomeniuk (work committments) and injured Brits Matty Davies, Tom Squires and Sam Towner.

However, it was always going to be an incredibly tough night for the Rays as they took on the Elite League leading Belfast Giants shortbenched and so it proved as the Giants exposed and exploited the Stingrays outshooting them 48-31 on the way to a 6-1 win.

The home side took 16 minutes to net their opening goal through Kevin Saurette before Evan Cheverie added a second just over two minutes later.

The Stingrays found some joy 7.19 into the second period as a Guillaume Doucet powerplay goal - his eighth goal in just three games - reduced the deficit to one but the Giants added two further goals towards the end of the period through Chris Higgins and Darryl Lloyd - extending the lead to 4-1.

Craig Peacock would add two further markers in the third period to complete a comfortable 6-1 win for Paul Adey's side.

The defeat knocks the Stingrays out of the Challenge Cup competition at the Quarter Final stage following an agreement between the two club's to reduce the stage from a two-legged affair to a one-off knockout, while it also prevents Cloutier's side from moving up to sixth in the Elite League table.

Despite the double defeat, the month of December has been remarkably fruitful for the Stingrays - who in nine games, including tonight, have only twice been defeated in regulation time, picking up five wins and 12 points along the way.

They return to action in the new year away from home on Thursday 2nd January in Sheffield and Saturday 4th January in Coventry before their first home fixture of 2014 against the Fife Flyers - whom they meet at the Hull Arena for the first time this season and the first of four visits in the next three months.

Deja vu as Stingrays hit seven again

Hull Stingrays 7-1 Edinburgh Capitals

The Hull Stingrays tonight struck seven goals for the third consecutive home game, making it three wins from three with their second 7-1 win over Gardiner Conference rivals the Edinburgh Capitals in two weeks.

Guillaume Doucet - who notched four goals in his last two games - opened the scoring for the Stingrays with his first of four goals on the night prior to the four minute mark.

Having outshot the home side 15-10 in the first period, the Capitals leveled the scores after 1.05 of the second period through Jan Safar.

Edinburgh would go on to again outshoot Sylvain Cloutier's side in the second - this time by 20 shots to 15 - however, a six minute offensive blitz from the Stingrays would put the game completely out of sign.

First, Kyle Mariani and Jereme Tendler handed the Stingrays a 3-1 lead less than 120 seconds after the Capitals equaliser before Doucet completed his hat-trick with two goals on 24.38 and 27.58.

The French-Canadian then overtook Tendler as the club's leading scorer and became the league's joint top goalscorer with his fourth of the evening seven seconds before the end of the second period.

Defenceman Omar Pacha would complete the scoring and the Stingrays second 7-1 triumph over Edinburgh on 4.45 into the third period.

The win maintains the Stingrays position in seventh in the Elite League after 25 games, two points ahead of Cardiff in eighth and two points behind Coventry in sixth and just three points behind Nottingham in fifth

Six game point steak ends for Stingrays in Fife.

Fife Flyers 5-3 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays were tonight unable to follow up on form that had seen them claim ten points from an available 12 and defeat the Nottingham Panthers 7-5 the night before as they were defeated in regulation time for the first time in seven games, losing 5-3 to the Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy.

After a goalless first period the sides traded early second period goals through Bobby Chaumont and the in-form Guillaume Doucet.

The Flyers then took complete control of the tie as Chaumont completed with hat-trick with two markers either side of a Jordan Fulton goal to open up a comprehensive 4-1 lead after 31 minutes.

Jereme Tendler netted on the powerplay less than two minutes later to narrow the deficit heading into the final period before captain Jeff Smith recorded his first goal of the year in the third to lessen the deficit further with 12 minutes remaining.

However, for the second time in two games the understrength Stingrays - who were still without Matty Davies, Tom Squires and Sam Towner - ran out of steam in towards the end of the third period and were unable to find the all important tying goal.

The home side would eventually seal the win with an empty net goal from Derek Roehl with three seconds remaining.

Stingrays score seven (again) to shock Panthers

Hull Stingrays 7-5 Nottingham Panthers

The Hull Stingrays tonight hit seven goals for the second time in two home games, following up their 7-1 trouncing of the Edinburgh Capitals last week with a 7-5 shock win over the Nottingham Panthers.

Having spent the last three games down to just two lines and very little more, Sylvain Cloutier's side were boosted by the return of Bobby Chamberlain from GB U20 duty and the re-signing of Ukrainian defenceman Nikolai Ladygin - who made his second debut for the club. However, British forward trio Matty Davies, Sam Towner and Tom Squires remained on the sidelines through injury.

Regardless, after a slow start from both sides, the Stingrays opened the scoring through Jereme Tendler on 12.36 before doubling their lead through Guillaume Doucet just over a minute later with debutant Ladygin bagging an assist on the goal.

The Panthers would then add a late first period goal through David Clarke to halve the deficit heading into the first period intermission.

The second period was all about the Stingrays though as they netted two goals in the opening five minutes though Doucet on the powerplay - with Ladygin notching his second assist of a successful return - and fellow French-Canadian Carl Lauzon to chase starting netminder Neil Conway from the net.

He was replaced by Panthers back-up Dan Green - who didn't fare much better - conceding two more goals in the second period, first through Jason Silverthorn after sustained Stingrays pressure before Tendler added his second and the Stingrays sixth on the powerplay at 36.09.

Doucet would complete his second hat-trick of the season 6.27 into the third before Corey Neilson's side finally regrouped and began an unlikely comeback with 14 minutes left on the clock, outshooting the Stingrays 17-5 in the final 20.

Matt Francis scored a quick fire three minute double after nine minutes to reduce the score to 7-3 before late sloppiness then cost the Stingrays dear as the Panthers netted powerplay goals on 56.04 and 57.05 through Chris Murray and Clarke to reduce the deficit to two.

It was too little too late from the Panthers though and the Stingrays completed a famous 7-5 victory over their visitors from Nottingham, a victory which Stingrays owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan would call "the biggest win I have had since I took over".

The Stingrays have now claimed ten points from 12 and travel to Kirkcaldy to take on the Fife Flyers on Sunday evening looking to further extend that run.

11 man Stingrays claim against the odds point in Dundee

Dundee Stars 3-2 Hull Stingrays (OT)

Stingrays hold on in Edinburgh to earn hard-fought three point weekend

Edinburgh Capitals 4-5 Hull Stingrays

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Stingrays pick up valuable point in lengthy shootout loss to Fife

Fife 4-3 Hull Stingrays (SO)

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In-form Stingrays claim third win in four games

Braehead Clan 2-3 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight put in an impressive performance on the road in Scotland, defeating the Braehead Clan for the second time this season by three goals to two to claim their third win from their last four games.

The victory marks quite the turnaround for the Stingrays - who had just two wins to their name in opening two months and 11 games of the season but now have at least a point from seven of their last nine games.

On the night though it was the home side that opened the scoring, new import forward Joe Cullen bagging his first goal in Clan purple just 11 minutes into his debut.

The Stingrays would level the scores late in the first period, in-form Carl Lauzon netting his fourth goal in five games with 12 seconds remaining in the opening stanza.

Jereme Tendler then gave the visitors a 2-1 second period lead on the powerplay through his 18th goal of the season on 36.29 before player-coach Sylvain Cloutier extended his sides lead to two goals 1.13 into the final period.

That would prove to be the game winning goal for the Stingrays as the Clan pushed hard - outshooting the Stingrays 43-25 overall - but were unable to equalise following a second goal of the night from Matt Haywood on 52.50.

The Stingrays now return home before facing the Coventry Blaze - who they knocked out of the Challenge Cup less than two weeks ago - tomorrow night at the Hull Arena (6pm).

Stingrays rebound from Belfast disappointment to record huge win in Wales

Cardiff Devils 3-5 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight produced their first win of the season over an Erhardt Conference side in the league beating the Cardiff Devils 5-3 in South Wales.

Importantly for their confidence, after being shut out at home by the Belfast Giants on Saturday night, the Stingrays got on the board first through a Jason Silverthorn shorthanded marker after 9.32.

Mac Faulkner quickly responded for the Devils though on the powerplay, netting on the same Guillaume Doucet tripping penalty from which Silverthorn scored a minute later.

Having impressed in the Stingrays 6-5 shootout loss in late October, following his four goals and lovely shootout goal, Doucet was given the chance to replicate that shootout move in the second period as the Rays were awarded a penalty shot.

While on this occasion he would be denied, Doucet would eventually add his fifth goal in two games in South Wales on 25.10 to again level the scores just three minutes after Matt Myers had given the Devils a 2-1 lead.

Having been outshot 12-7 in the middle stanza, the Stingrays then took a surprise lead through Carl Lauzon - who fired home on the breakaway in the 28th minute.

However, in the 32nd minute Cardiff were awarded a penalty shot of their own which new signing and former NHLer Tomas Kurka dispatched for a debut goal, sending the sides into the second intermission level at three goals apiece.

In a tense third period, Sylvain Cloutier's side would have to wait until the 57th minute for Jereme Tendler to bag the game winning goal with his 17th goal of the season before Omar Pacha added an empty net goal with 40 seconds left to complete the victory.

While the win is the Stingrays first this season over an Erhardt Conference side in the league, it is their second victory in less than a week over non-conference opposition following Wednesday night's 5-2 defeat of the Coventry Blaze in the Challenge Cup.

Following what is a huge victory in South Wales, the Stingrays will travel to Scotland next Saturday to face the Braehead Clan before taking on Coventry at home on Sunday.

Stingrays defeated by disastrous four goal first period in Coventry

Coventry Blaze 5-2 Hull Stingrays 

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Doucet hits four as Stingrays again lose out on penalty shots

Cardiff Devils 6-5 Hull Stingrays (CC)

Four goals from forward Guillaume Doucet tonight helped the Hull Stingrays recover from 3-0 and then 4-2 down to take the game to overtime and then a shootout in the Challenge Cup before ultimately losing out 6-5 on penalty shots to the Cardiff Devils.

The Stingrays trailed 3-0 after just 14 minutes thanks to goal Andrew Conboy, Max Birbraer and Matthew Myers.

However, Doucet added a second period hat-trick including a shorthanded goal after 47 seconds of the period to ensure his side were trailing 5-3 at the second intermission after further markers from Ben Davies and Mark Smith.

Two goals down, Sylvain Cloutier pulled one back 11.37 into the final period before Doucet notched his fourth and 13th of the season with less than four minutes remaining to tie the score.

After a scoreless overtime period, Doucet gave the Stingrays a 1-0 lead in the first round of the shootout. However, misses Jason Silverthorn, Jereme Tendler and a miss from Doucet on his second attempt combined with Cardiff shootout goals from Chris Blight and Jake Morrissette handed the Devils the extra point.

Cloutier's side remain on the brink of elimination from the Challenge Cup but, having claimed a point tonight, can still potentially progress to the Quarter Finals of the competition for the second year in a row with a regulation time win over the Coventry Blaze next Wednesday at the Hull Arena.

After going winless in eight shootouts last season, the loss is the Stingrays second in two games that have gone to penalty shots this season.

However, the Stingrays have started to turn around their form and now have at least a point from five of their last six games in a marked improvement in fortunes.

Stingrays battle through tough week to end losing streak in Fife

Fife Flyers 1-4 Hull Stingrays

After a tough week off-ice following Derek Campbell's release and subsequent 47 game ban, the Hull Stingrays tonight drew a line under the whole incident by ending their seven game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy..

They Rays - on their second trip North of the border this season - didn't get the best of starts to the game as Sylvain Cloutier received a ten minute misconduct for abuse of an official after just 81 seconds.

Nevertheless, despite the inconvenience of having their player-coach in the penalty box, the Stingrays would be leading 2-0 by the time Cloutier returned to the ice ten minutes later.

They took the lead on the game's first powerplay - a 2 minute hooking minor against Fife's Chris Wands - through defenceman Omar Pacha on 4.34 with assists from Kyle Mariani - who was praised by Cloutier for his versatility during the week - and Tom Squires - who recorded his first point of the season.

The Rays then doubled their lead via the stick of Jason Silverthorn on 10.35 with Scott Robson - who was recalled from his loan with Blackburn for this game - recording his first Elite League point with an assist and Bobby Chamberlain notching an additional helper for his first point this season.

In a near perfect opening 15 minutes, Jereme Tendler made it 3-0 less than three minutes later with the Rays second powerplay goal of the evening thanks to assists from Silverthorn and Matty Davies. The goal was Tendler's fourth goal in four games and ninth in ten games this season.

Rok Pajic hit back for the Flyers late in the first period but the Stingrays would regain their three goal lead in the second period through their third powerplay goal of the night, this time from Guillaume Doucet with assists from Davies and Tendler

Given last week's events, the potential talking point of the game followed immediately as Fife defenceman Matt Nickerson - who has already been banned this season - fought the Stingrays Jeff Smith.

Both received match penalties for excessive roughness with Smith's the Stingrays second such penalty in two weeks, while Stingray Matty Davies and Flyer Justin DaCosta also received roughing penalties.

The match penalties will see both players automatically receive a one-match ban and Smith will now miss tomorrow's home Challenge Cup game against the Nottingham Panthers.

Having come out hard in the first period, the Stingrays were for once in control heading into the third period and - despite being outshot 15-9 in the last 20 minutes - closed out the game for just their second of the season to end a difficult winless spell.

Stars extend Stingrays losing skid to seven

Dundee Stars 3-2 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays tonight suffered their second defeat of the weekend to the league leading Dundee Stars following up last night's narrow and controversial 2-1 defeat with a 3-2 loss in Scotland to extend their losing run to seven games.

After putting in man of the match worthy 55 save performance last night, Dundee netminder Dan Bakala picked up where he left off, shutting out the Stingrays in the first period as they outshot the Stars 15-8 in a scoreless 20 minutes.

Dundee would rebound in the second period and nevertheless opened the scoring on the powerplay through Brock McPherson - who scored his second goal in two games against the Rays - with Omar Pacha sitting his third of three consecutive penalties.

A first goal in Dundee colours for Marcis Zembergs and a tenth of the year for Nico Sacchetti would further add to the Stingrays misery in the second period, extending the Stars lead to 3-0.

For the third consecutive game the Stingrays attempted to mount a third period comeback with a shorthanded marker from Jereme Tendler - his third goal in three games - kick starting that potential comeback 2.44 into the third period.

The Stingrays notched a second through Matty Davies on 46.24 to reduce the deficit to one. However, despite pulling netminder Ben Bowns with less than a minute remaining and outshooting the Stars 12-8 in the third, the comeback would again end in disappointment in a narrow 3-2 loss.

The defeat is the club's seventh loss on the bounce and third consecutive loss by one goal.

Next weekend the Rays face Fife in Scotland on Saturday and Nottingham at home in the Challenge Cup on Sunday, prior to which they will receive the outcome of disciplinary action on Derek Campbell following last night's off-ice incident.

Stingrays comeback thwarted by late Belfast powerplay goal

Hull Stingrays 2-3 Belfast Giants

The Hull Stingrays tonight came back from two goals down in the third period to draw level with Erhardt Conference side the Belfast Giants, only to concede a late powerplay goal and lose out three goals to two.

The home side - who entered the game on the back of four consecutive losses - found themselves two goals down after two periods thanks to powerplay goals from Kevin Saurette (15.09) - who has a phomenal scoring record against the Stingrays - and Dustin Whitecotton (25.52).

However, having outshot their opponents in the opening two periods, the Stingrays finally came good in the third.

First, Jereme Tendler found the net just two minutes and 48 seconds into the final period with the Rays only powerplay goal on six attempts on the night. Derek Campbell then bagged his league leading third shorthanded goal of the season with less than seven minutes remaining to level the scores.

Just as it looked as though the Stingrays might notch at least their third point of the season, the Giants recorded their third powerplay goal of the evening on their sixth attempt with Kyle Mariani sitting two minutes for interference.

Ben Bowns - who stopped 31 of 34 shots going up against GB number on Stephen Murphy - was then pulled and it had looked like the Rays might've once again leveled in the final minute, however, the goal was not given and the Giants held on for the win.

Although the Stingrays largely matched the Giants blow for blow and that, in itself, should prove to be a confidence boost for Sylvain Cloutier, the Rays coach and his players will be disappointed not to convert the comeback into a much needed win.

Now on a five game losing streak, it is important the Rays use the momentum from tonight's improved performance in next weekend's home and away double header against the in-form Dundee Stars.

The Stars have lost just two of nine games so far this season - having already beaten Cardiff, Coventry, Nottingham and Sheffield as well as Gardiner Conference sides Braehead and Edinburgh - and will inevitably prove a tough challenge.