Eleven in ElevenIt is a run of form that has seen the side leap from 16 points to 27 points, equal with the Capitals and eight points clear of bottom side the Basingstoke Bison. Should they continue on point-a-game form for the remainder of the season they would end up on a joint team record 39 points, a record point total that was set in 2006/07.
Stingrays All Star lineup complete
In a surprising move, Southern All Star coach Paul Thompson has announced that Slava Koulikov would join Curtis Cruickshank, Lee Mitchell and Jeff Glowa as the Excel Hull Stingrays representatives in the Elite Ice Hockey Leagues first ever All Star game.After initial confusion over whether fellow Eastern European Konstantin Kalmikov had instead been selected, it was confirmed on Monday that Koulikov, who has scored 15 points in 24 games this season, would become to final Stingray to be selected.
In his last ten games Koulikov has scored seven points and he will join up with his fellow All Stars in Coventry on Thursday 19 February.
Brits on form
Since injuries to import forwards Matt Reynolds and Jamie Thompson the Excel Hull Stingrays British forwards have seen increased ice time and more notably increased offensive output.In the six games since Canadian Reynolds suffered a broken finger, Lee Esders, Slava Koulikov, James Cooke and Lee Mitchell have contributed five goals and six assists, a significant increase in production.
Neumeier makes successful return for home stretch
Troy Neumeier has seemingly made a successful return from a torn knee ligament which had initially threatened to end both is season and career prematurely.Neumeier, who has set his sights on sending the Excel Hull Stingrays to the playoffs for the first time as his last act on the ice, played in both away games against Manchester and Cardiff and made his return to the Hull Arena on Saturday night against his former side the Coventry Blaze.
