Coventry Blaze (6) 4-1 (2)Excel Hull Stingrays
A three goal first period from the Coventry Blaze was enough to end the Excel Hull Stingrays first ever foray into the playoffs at the first hurdle as they went down 4-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate to the league champions.
The Stingrays, down by just a goal after the first leg, had hoped to score the first goal at the Skydome and put pressure on the Blaze in front of their own fans, however, a Derek Campbell goal seven minutes in put paid to those ambitions.
It would get worse for Sylvain Cloutier against his former team as further first period goals from Greg Owen and perennial Stingray killer Luke Fulghum handed the Blaze an unassailable four goal lead on aggregate.
At this stage even the most ardent Rays fan would have found it hard to believe that their team could go on to win the tie, even after coach Cloutier's tipped in goal on 30.52, and Fulghum's 15th of the season against the Stingrays nearly two minutes of the into the final period put an end to any remaining belief and the Stingrays season.
In truth a victory over two legs against the most consistent team in the league was always going to be a difficult task but throw in the most prolific scorer against the Rays this season and an inform netminder and that task was near impossible.
Although the first leg could have gone either way, with a Stingrays perhaps more deserved of the win, the Blaze were the superior side, both in the second leg and overall. Paul Thompson's side took their far superior chances when it counted, while the Rays failed to make an impact on netminder Hirsch, particularly during several powerplay opportunities over the two legs including a number of 5-on-3's.
The first leg was a notably better team performance than the second, where Cloutier excelled with a proud showing and just Lee Mitchell and Stephen Burns put in significant performances. In the end, those that went missing over the course of the season as well as the final two legs will not be offered a return for next season and Cloutier, who will be negotiating contracts for re-signings this week, has already hinted that is unhappy with a portion of his squad.
Off-season is now upon the Stingrays and the players will soon be heading home, however, for the top four, who, as expected according to league position, all qualified for the playoff semis, the season has been extended by at least one game. The semi-final matchups, to be played in Nottingham next Saturday, will see Coventry face Cardiff and Nottingham play Belfast for the right to qualify for the Playoff Final, which will this season be broadcast live on Sky Sports 2 (4pm) for the first time.
Until next season: Go Stingrays!
F Block Blog MOM: Lee Mitchell (0+0)
SOG: 43-37
PIM: 22-26
Cloutier's Comments: "It's disappointing to lose out, but we can hold our heads up. We were playing the champions – the best team in the league – you have to give them credit. They deserved it, and that's the way it goes. We competed with them and gave it our best shot. We had our chances with our special teams on Saturday night and we didn't take advantage of it. We were still in the game last night, and we got a goal back, but we were then undisciplined and got a bit carried away. The majority of the guys battled to the end and that is what I wanted to see."
