Hull Stingrays 2-4 Nottingham Panthers (CC)
Without Jereme Tendler (wrist), Shane Lovdahl (VISA) and Andy Ward, the Stingrays started the game with nine imports, while the Panthers were without Brandon Benedict (VISA).
The visitors - in front of a sizable away following - got off to a sloppy start however, receiving three straight minor penalties in the first six minutes from referees Dean Smith and James Kavanagh - in the first dual refereeing system of the season. Although it was Nottingham's David Clarke that was handed the first chance of the game, racing through on goal shorthanded only to be stonewalled by new Stingrays starter Ben Bowns.
The Stingrays struggled to impose themselves through the man advantage all night though and it was the Panthers who opened the scoring - Matt Francis netting on a 3-on-1 after Tomas Valecko was left out of position having rushed forward for a puck in the offensive zone.
Minutes later, Sylvain Cloutier looked to have leveled the scores, scrambling the puck home past Craig Kowalski only for referee Smith to rule out the goal as the Rays player-coach was in the crease when he prodded home.
Content to only be one goal down after one period, the Stingrays got off to a much more confident start in the second period only to fall two goals behind. New Panthers signing Bruce Graham finishing off a lovely team move with Kowalski for the extra skater following a delayed penalty on Jason Silverthorn.
It was then fifth time lucky as far as the Stingrays powerplay was concerned. Tomas Valecko - who was brought in to replace Dmitri Rodin's slapshot from the point - firing one home from the blueline to halve the deficit with his first real shot on the man advantage.
Remarkably, Silverthorn then used the wave of confidence that came from Valecko's opener to waltz through the Panthers defence - after being set up by Chris Sykes - and level the score at two goals apiece less than two minutes later.
Stingrays best period of the play was to follow at the beginning of the third, though they would come up empty. Dominic Osman was first ably denied by Kowalski three minutes in, with Matty Davies going one better - only to be denied by the iron.
Before the home side knew it however, the Panthers had taken control of the final stanza - eventually peppering the net with 23 shots. They ultimately made that pressure count and punished the Stingrays for converting on just one of nine powerplay opportunities - although left it very late to do so.
With less than three minutes remaining on the clock Francis pounced on a big rebound from Bowns - likely his only blemish on the night - to scoop home his second of the game and land a fatal blow to the Stingrays hopes of claiming a much deserved, hard fought point.
Pat Gavilan then sealed the deal as the Rays attempted to chase the tie, scoring the Panthers fourth and final goal of the night.
The Stingrays will undoubtedly be disappointed by the result and way in which the Panthers - who it is fair to say probably deserved the two points on the balance of play - nicked the two goals and two points so close to the end.
Nevertheless, there are a lot of positives to take from the night - given that few gave the Stingrays any chance of competing with the Panthers and the rest of the Erhardt Conference this coming season.
The brilliant performance of Bowns between the pipes will have convinced any doubters that he is well worth an EIHL starting spot and that he can comfortably fill the skates of predecessor Christian Boucher. His confident display gave the Stingrays a chance of the points that they ultimately couldn't quite take.
Cale Tanaka's gutsy, never-say-die approach and performance on the night proved that he is also up to the task of playing in the Elite League - despite doubts having only played in the French Second Division and Canadian senior leagues. While his first touch and finishing were rusty, he continually fought for the puck, often successfully, both defensively and offensively.
Indeed, the trio of Tanaka, Matty Davies and Janis Ozolins often caused problems with their speed and tenacity, and will certainly cause problems going forward.
On defence, Ryan Hand played a simple but focused game and showed that he won't be as easily coaxed into a fight as many expected, while Scott Robson again defied his age with some solid defensive play when he stepped up alongside Jeff Smith - who himself put in a good shift on his return to the UK.
The result, and the fashion of the defeat, is understandably disappointing but the positives from tonight's 12/13 league debut far outweigh any negatives - particularly with Lovdahl, Tendler and Ward still to come into the squad.
Cloutier's side return to action next Thursday (7.30pm) against the Cardiff Devils before their first league game of the season next Sunday against Gardiner Conference rivals the Dundee Stars in Scotland.
F Block Blog Three Stars
1. Ben Bowns
2. Cale Tanaka
3. Scott Robson
