Belfast Giants 5-4 Excel Hull Stingrays (AOT)
The Excel Hull Stingrays bounced back from defeat to the Belfast Giants on Saturday by taking them to overtime before eventually falling 5-4 in Northern Ireland tonight, claiming a vital and unexpected point in the process.
The visitors bucked an all too regular trend on the night, taking the lead through stand out forward Jason Silverthorn, who registered two goals and one assists in the game, before the Giants levelled through Joshua Prudden.
As was the case on Saturday, Sylvain Cloutier's struggled in the second period, conceding three times through Craig Peacock, Jon Glled and Brett Hemingway. However, Jereme Tendler netted his fifth in three games and the Rays only goal of the second to go into the final period down 4-2.
With four players already out and Mark Garside leaving the game injured, the Rays knew they would have to take advantage of the understrength Giants in the final period when they would be most tiresome.
They did that, as Matti Uusivirta netted his second in two games before Silverthorn levelled the scores at four with his second of the game, minutes after missing a penalty shot, to guarantee his side at least a point.
Unfortunately, the Giants regrouped in overtime and snatched the extra point thanks to Dan Welch, who scored the games sixth powerplay goal of the game.
Cloutier will undoubtedly be happy with a point against the league leaders, particularly having been outshot for one of, if not the only time this season.
Also encouragingly, his side continue to score goals through key forwards Tendler, Uusivirta and Silverthorn, and they continue to compete with the leagues better sides, even if they were understrength.
Having moved into seventh place, they now move on to a home and away double header against the Cardiff Devils, travelling down to Wales in the Challenge Cup on Saturday before returning to Hull 24 hours later in league play.
Rays scorers: Silverthorn (2), Tendler, Uusivirta
Belfast scorers: Prudden, Peacock, Gleed, B.Hemingway, Welch
SOG: 40-29
PIM: 10-14
