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Saturday 12th September: Excel Hull Stingrays (6th) v Cardiff Devils (5th) @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pmSunday 13th September: Cardiff Devils v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Cardiff Bay Arena, F/O 6pm (Challenge Cup)
Form
Stingrays- W W W L D
Cardiff- D L W PSW L
Last 3 Meetings
v Cardiff
21/02/09 1-7 L H
14/03/09 7-1 L A
21/03/09 2-5 L H
Season Series (08/09)
v Cardiff: 1-6, 3 points, 10 GF, 31GA
Players To Watch
Stingrays- Curtis Huppe (1GP 0+1) The Canadian has had a slow start to his Stingrays career and has often looked frustrated as his shots have frequently been blocked or saved, however, with two goals against Peterborough in midweek, as well as a goal in the P&O Channel Cup win against Nottingham, he may have now beaten that slump in goalscoring form.
Cardiff- Phil Hill (2GP 2+1) The British forward has followed up his breakthrough year, in which he recorded 50 points in 64 games, with a three point first weekend. Much is expected of Hill, who will, this season, be able to link up with the likes of Max Birbraer, Mark Smith and Matt Miller.
Between The Pipes
Stingrays- Tommy Sandahl (1GP, 91.4SV.%, 3GAA) Although he may have been partly to blame for one of Belfast's three goals, the Swede, along with the Rays restrictive defence, were a large part of the Stingrays keeping the two points within arm's reach last weekend.
Cardiff- Stevie Lyle (2GP, 84.6SV.%, 3.84GAA) GB international Lyle had an inconsistent third debut in Cardiff colours last weekend as the Devils split a double header weekend against the Newcastle Vipers. Lyle's stats for last week indicate the Welshman can do better.
Absentees
Stingrays- Lee Mitchell (doubt; knee)
Cardiff- Jason Stone (cartilage), Mark Richardson (doubt;groin)
News
- The 09/10 Round The World Clipper Race begins in Hull on Sunday and will kick-off with a weekend of festivities in Hull. There will be an estimated 100,000 extra people in the region over the weekend and with the marina being in close proximity to the Hull Arena, traffic and parking problems are expected in the area. For more information see HERE or for Stingrays specific info see @HullStingrays.
- Sunday sees the beginning of the Stingrays Challenge Cup campaign in Cardiff. The Rays have been placed in Challenge Cup Group B alongside Nottingham, Coventry and Sunday's opponents Cardiff, and will play each side home and away, with the top two sides meeting the top two from Group A in the Challenge Cup Semi Finals.
- It is yet to be revealed whether British forward Lee Mitchell will make his season debut this weekend. He injured a knee in pre-season preparations and an MRI scan last week revealed that there is no long-term damage, however, he and the club are remaining cautious over the injury, which is on the same knee that required surgery two year's ago.
What The Coaches Say...
Cloutier (Stingrays)
There are no easy match-ups this year. Cardiff have put a strong side together and it's going to be a battle. They have put a team together they feel can win the league and we feel we can do as well as anybody so it's going to be a good match-up and hopefully we will come out on top.Predictions
Stingrays 3-2 Cardiff
Cardiff 3-1 Stingrays
