Coventry Blaze 2-1 Hull Stingrays
In the second of a double header weekend against the Coventry Blaze, the Hull Stingrays - without topscorer Janis Ozolins, netminder Ben Bowns, Brit Andy Ward and injured import Cale Tanaka - couldn't quite muster the offence to beat the Blaze as they went down 2-1 in the Elite League.
As had been the case the night prior, the visiting side - this time the Stingrays - outshot the home side - the Blaze - in the opening period but found themselves trailing thanks to goals from Sam Smith and Shea Guthrie in a penalty strewn period for Sylvain Cloutier's side which saw them kill four Coventry powerplay attempts.
The long-awaited bout between enforcers Ryan Hand and Benn Olson finally materialised immediately after Smith's opening goal two minutes in with both receiving five minute majors for their troubles.
Dominic Osman netted his third powerplay goal in two games in 8.12 into the second period to edge the Rays back into the contest. However, in a low scoring affair, the Rays couldn't find the extra offence to force the issue as they had the night before in Hull with two third period powerplay goals losing out by 2-1.
While likely disappointed to have won in the Challenge Cup and lost in the league, player-coach Cloutier should be pleased with his sides work this weekend - particularly given they were missing Ozolins on top of Tanaka, Bowns and Ward tonight.
The biggest positive from the weekend was the performance of netminder Greg Blais on his Elite League debut in place of Bowns.
The Canadian made 83 saves over the two games against the Blaze, conceding just three goals - giving him a save percentage of 95.4%. His more than solid showing has proved that, should the Rays need a replacement between the pipes - as they may do in February when Bowns may again be involved in Great Britain's final Olympic Qualifier - they have a more than able deputy in the former EPL keeper.
In the second of a double header weekend against the Coventry Blaze, the Hull Stingrays - without topscorer Janis Ozolins, netminder Ben Bowns, Brit Andy Ward and injured import Cale Tanaka - couldn't quite muster the offence to beat the Blaze as they went down 2-1 in the Elite League.
As had been the case the night prior, the visiting side - this time the Stingrays - outshot the home side - the Blaze - in the opening period but found themselves trailing thanks to goals from Sam Smith and Shea Guthrie in a penalty strewn period for Sylvain Cloutier's side which saw them kill four Coventry powerplay attempts.
The long-awaited bout between enforcers Ryan Hand and Benn Olson finally materialised immediately after Smith's opening goal two minutes in with both receiving five minute majors for their troubles.
Dominic Osman netted his third powerplay goal in two games in 8.12 into the second period to edge the Rays back into the contest. However, in a low scoring affair, the Rays couldn't find the extra offence to force the issue as they had the night before in Hull with two third period powerplay goals losing out by 2-1.
While likely disappointed to have won in the Challenge Cup and lost in the league, player-coach Cloutier should be pleased with his sides work this weekend - particularly given they were missing Ozolins on top of Tanaka, Bowns and Ward tonight.
The biggest positive from the weekend was the performance of netminder Greg Blais on his Elite League debut in place of Bowns.
The Canadian made 83 saves over the two games against the Blaze, conceding just three goals - giving him a save percentage of 95.4%. His more than solid showing has proved that, should the Rays need a replacement between the pipes - as they may do in February when Bowns may again be involved in Great Britain's final Olympic Qualifier - they have a more than able deputy in the former EPL keeper.
