Hull Stingrays 4-1 Fife Flyers
The Hull Stingrays tonight battled to their first victory in three games and third win of the season against the Fife Flyers, defeating their Gardiner Conference rivals by four goals to one at the Hull Arena.
Doubles from Guillaume Doucet and Jereme Tendler would seal the victory for the Stingrays in a scrappy and chippy affair all around.
Martin Ondrej set the tone for what would be a penalty strewn first period dishing out a needless facewash to a Flyer just 18 seconds in after his opponent came in towards netminder Ben Bowns after a whistle.
Constant pest Jordan Fulton would then level things up with a slashing penalty on 39 seconds and would take a further slashing penalty three minutes later to ensure he sat four of the opening six minutes. Overall, referee Neil Wilson - who struggled to control the game early on - distributed 20 minutes of minor penalties in the opening period - ensuring practically the whole period was played on special teams.
That, of course, was not necessarily Wilson's fault as there was a clear undercurrent of cheap niggles from both sides. Indeed, on one shift in particular Flyer enforcer Matt Nickerson did appear to turn his attentions to Jeff Smith - whom he fought earlier in the season - however the Stingrays captain didn't appear interested in discussing any potential re-match.
Ultimately, the lengthy first period - thanks to the sheer number of penalty stoppages - passed without a goal, however, despite losing alternate captain Jason Silverthorn to a first period injury, it would the Stingrays just 1.09 of second period to open the scoring.
An interference penalty on Derek Roehl late in the first period carried over allowing the Stingrays to score the only powerplay goal of the game on 14 attempts between the two sides as Doucet reacted quickest to a rebound which fell his way in the slot to beat Kevin Regan in the Flyers net.
Less than five minutes later the Flyers would equalise through a three-on-two, as a cross ice pass from Roehl jumped over the stick of defenceman Ondrej and fell straight to Ned Lukacevic - who beat Bowns at the backpost.
The Stingrays outshot their opponents 15-6 in the second period despite having to kill three penalties to the Flyers none and Carl Lauzon - who put in a great 60 minute shift for the Stingrays - came closest to restoring the Rays lead as he rang a shot off the post following a trademark individual effort.
Less than a minute before the end of the second period the Stingrays would take an important lead as Kyle Mariani charged the puck into the zone - taking a Flyer out with him - before feeding the puck to Doucet - who netted his second goal of the evening and seventh goal in five games against the Flyers this season after going forehand, backhand.
In contrast to the first period, third and final period passed with just four minor penalties as the Flyers offence tried but failed to find the net - as has been their main problem this season condemning them to their third loss in five games against Sylvain Clotuier's side this season.
Jereme Tendler - who was the subject of a transfer bid from the Sheffield Steelers during the week - added two late empty net goals to complete what was far from a perfect Stingrays performance but was certainly the perfect result and perfect tonic for a club that had lost three games in a row - having previously won six on the bounce.
The victory maintains the Stingrays sixth place and their slender one point advantage over the Coventry Blaze in seventh and two point advantage over the Cardiff Devils. Perhaps most encouraging, the win extends the Stingrays lead over Fife - in ninth and the final playoff spot - to an massive 13 points with just two months of the season and 15 games remaining.
The Rays remain atop the Gardiner Conference on 33 points, four points ahead of the Dundee Stars in second - having played four more games - and five points ahead of the Braehead Clan in third - having played two more fixtures.
They face the Cardiff Devils on Sunday night in South Wales before taking on Fife at the Hull Arena for the second time in four days on Wednesday at the revised time of 7pm - live on Premier Sports
The Hull Stingrays tonight battled to their first victory in three games and third win of the season against the Fife Flyers, defeating their Gardiner Conference rivals by four goals to one at the Hull Arena.
Doubles from Guillaume Doucet and Jereme Tendler would seal the victory for the Stingrays in a scrappy and chippy affair all around.
Martin Ondrej set the tone for what would be a penalty strewn first period dishing out a needless facewash to a Flyer just 18 seconds in after his opponent came in towards netminder Ben Bowns after a whistle.
Constant pest Jordan Fulton would then level things up with a slashing penalty on 39 seconds and would take a further slashing penalty three minutes later to ensure he sat four of the opening six minutes. Overall, referee Neil Wilson - who struggled to control the game early on - distributed 20 minutes of minor penalties in the opening period - ensuring practically the whole period was played on special teams.
That, of course, was not necessarily Wilson's fault as there was a clear undercurrent of cheap niggles from both sides. Indeed, on one shift in particular Flyer enforcer Matt Nickerson did appear to turn his attentions to Jeff Smith - whom he fought earlier in the season - however the Stingrays captain didn't appear interested in discussing any potential re-match.
Ultimately, the lengthy first period - thanks to the sheer number of penalty stoppages - passed without a goal, however, despite losing alternate captain Jason Silverthorn to a first period injury, it would the Stingrays just 1.09 of second period to open the scoring.
An interference penalty on Derek Roehl late in the first period carried over allowing the Stingrays to score the only powerplay goal of the game on 14 attempts between the two sides as Doucet reacted quickest to a rebound which fell his way in the slot to beat Kevin Regan in the Flyers net.
Less than five minutes later the Flyers would equalise through a three-on-two, as a cross ice pass from Roehl jumped over the stick of defenceman Ondrej and fell straight to Ned Lukacevic - who beat Bowns at the backpost.
The Stingrays outshot their opponents 15-6 in the second period despite having to kill three penalties to the Flyers none and Carl Lauzon - who put in a great 60 minute shift for the Stingrays - came closest to restoring the Rays lead as he rang a shot off the post following a trademark individual effort.
Less than a minute before the end of the second period the Stingrays would take an important lead as Kyle Mariani charged the puck into the zone - taking a Flyer out with him - before feeding the puck to Doucet - who netted his second goal of the evening and seventh goal in five games against the Flyers this season after going forehand, backhand.
In contrast to the first period, third and final period passed with just four minor penalties as the Flyers offence tried but failed to find the net - as has been their main problem this season condemning them to their third loss in five games against Sylvain Clotuier's side this season.
Jereme Tendler - who was the subject of a transfer bid from the Sheffield Steelers during the week - added two late empty net goals to complete what was far from a perfect Stingrays performance but was certainly the perfect result and perfect tonic for a club that had lost three games in a row - having previously won six on the bounce.
The victory maintains the Stingrays sixth place and their slender one point advantage over the Coventry Blaze in seventh and two point advantage over the Cardiff Devils. Perhaps most encouraging, the win extends the Stingrays lead over Fife - in ninth and the final playoff spot - to an massive 13 points with just two months of the season and 15 games remaining.
The Rays remain atop the Gardiner Conference on 33 points, four points ahead of the Dundee Stars in second - having played four more games - and five points ahead of the Braehead Clan in third - having played two more fixtures.
They face the Cardiff Devils on Sunday night in South Wales before taking on Fife at the Hull Arena for the second time in four days on Wednesday at the revised time of 7pm - live on Premier Sports
FBB Three Stars
1. Carl Lauzon (0+1)
2. Ben Bowns (28 saves)
3. Guillaume Doucet (2+0)
