Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 2 Coventry Blaze
For the third time in three Challenge Cup fixtures the Excel Hull Stingrays took a top half side all the way, only to lose grasp on victory in the third period.
With captain's Joshua Mizerek and Jason Silverthorn back on the ice, coach Sylvain Cloutier resumed coaching duties on the bench although British forwards Tristan Harper and Ryan Lake were once again sidelined through injury.
Despite being outshot 38-23 over the 60 minutes - in a competition they were mathematically knocked out of last weekend - it was the home side that took a two goal lead into the opening two periods, Dominic Osman and Jereme Tendler netting their seventh and tenth goals of the season respectively.
In a fierce second period, Stingrays newest addition Andy McKinney - hoping to make a name for himself on his full debut - dropped the gloves with Blaze enforcer Bryan Jurynec before Derek Campbell also fought the Coventry man.
Having conceded costly last minute goals against both Cardiff and Sheffield the previous week, the Stingrays again lost out on another chance to claim a first cup victory of the year through Matic Krajl and Shea Guthrie goals.
Cloutier's side travel to Sheffield tomorrow hoping to claim that elusive first win of the Challenge Cup campaign - having tied two and lost five of their seven fixtures - before the Rays coach will have to cut a member of his import roster having delayed his decision for more than a week due to injuries.
For the third time in three Challenge Cup fixtures the Excel Hull Stingrays took a top half side all the way, only to lose grasp on victory in the third period.
With captain's Joshua Mizerek and Jason Silverthorn back on the ice, coach Sylvain Cloutier resumed coaching duties on the bench although British forwards Tristan Harper and Ryan Lake were once again sidelined through injury.
Despite being outshot 38-23 over the 60 minutes - in a competition they were mathematically knocked out of last weekend - it was the home side that took a two goal lead into the opening two periods, Dominic Osman and Jereme Tendler netting their seventh and tenth goals of the season respectively.
In a fierce second period, Stingrays newest addition Andy McKinney - hoping to make a name for himself on his full debut - dropped the gloves with Blaze enforcer Bryan Jurynec before Derek Campbell also fought the Coventry man.
Having conceded costly last minute goals against both Cardiff and Sheffield the previous week, the Stingrays again lost out on another chance to claim a first cup victory of the year through Matic Krajl and Shea Guthrie goals.
Cloutier's side travel to Sheffield tomorrow hoping to claim that elusive first win of the Challenge Cup campaign - having tied two and lost five of their seven fixtures - before the Rays coach will have to cut a member of his import roster having delayed his decision for more than a week due to injuries.
FBB Three Stars
1 - Derek Campbell (0+1)
2 - Jereme Tendler (1+0)
3 - Jason Silverthorn (0+1)
