V
Saturday 25th October: Excel Hull Stingrays v Newcastle Vipers @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 26th October: Manchester Phoenix v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Altrincham Ice Dome, F/O 5.30pm
Last 3 meetings
v Newcastle
12/12/08 1-2 L H
29/12/08 2-4 L A
09/03/08 1-3 L A
v Manchester
16/02/08 2-3 L A
23/03/08 6-2 W H
06/09/08 3-4 L H
Form
Stingrays- L L L L W
Newcastle- L W W L W
Manchester- W W W W W
Players to Watch
Stingrays: Matt Reynolds- Reynolds recorded four goals in two games during last weekends double header with Basingstoke, including a hat-trick in Sundays game in Hull. Buoyed by new linemate Konstantin Kalmikov, who himself recorded four assists, Reynolds will be hoping for a similar reutnr this weekend, a feat that may be required if the Rays are looking for a maximum four points.
Newcastle: Rob Rankin- Former Stingray, Rankin, who recorded 57 points with the Rays last season, is beggining to come into form now after starting the season with a four game goalless streak. With eight points in 11 games, Rankin will be hoping to help his side with a victory of his former employers on Saturday night at the Hull Arena.
Manchester: Tony Hand- Hand, who is undoubtedly the best ever British hockeyplayer, has returned to playing for his 25th season in professional ice hockey. Drafted in the 12th round of the NHL Draft in1986, Hand was once said to have vision better than all but the "great one", Wayne Gretzky, he has begun this season in that vein with 21 points, including 16 assists, in 14 games, as well as scoring five goals, three of which came in a hat-trick against the Nottingham Panthers last weekend. An on form Tony Hand usually sees a victory for the Phoenix.
Absentees
Stingrays- Slava Koulikov (broken collarbone), Rick Kozak (quit the team)
Newcastle- Derek Campbell (doubtful; groin), Burt Henderson (broken wrist)
Manchester- None
Predictions
Stingrays 3-4 Newcastle
Manchester 4-1 Stingrays
