Showing posts with label Nottingham Panthers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nottingham Panthers. Show all posts
Monday, 10 February 2014
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Stingrays make it two-in-two over Nottingham in Hull
Hull Stingrays 4-3 Nottingham Panthers
The Hull Stingrays tonight made it two wins from two successive games at Hull Arena against the Nottingham Panthers as they defeated the Erhardt Conference side 4-3 after penalty shots.
The Hull Stingrays tonight made it two wins from two successive games at Hull Arena against the Nottingham Panthers as they defeated the Erhardt Conference side 4-3 after penalty shots.
FBB Three Stars
1. Ben Bowns (35 saves)
2. Guillaume Doucet (1+1)
3. Jereme Tendler (2+0)
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Panthers come from behind to defeat Stingrays
Nottingham Panthers 6-4 Hull Stingrays
The Hull Stingrays tonight fell agonisingly short of a famous victory in Nottingham, leading the Panthers 4-2 after 30 minutes only to lose 6-4 to the reigning Elite League champions.
Sylvain Cloutier's side held an unlikely 3-2 lead into the first intermission thanks to a Carl Lauzon double and a Jereme Tendler goal, with Nottingham's markers coming from Matt Ryan and David Clarke.
The Rays extended their lead to two goals on 23.56 as Guillaume Doucet notched a powerplay goal, however, the Panthers comeback 10 minutes later as Robert Lachowicz narrowed the deficit to one goal.
Crucially, Clarke then popped up for the second time in the match and levelled the scores with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
The Stingrays - who were outshot 43-23 overall - were able to fire just five shots on Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski in the final period as Lachowicz recorded the game winning goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the game before Petr Kalus added a sixth with less than 30 seconds remaining.
The defeat is the Stingrays third in a row following their seven game win streak and Cloutier will be hoping to halt losing run with a big weekend coming up next week against the Cardiff Devils and Fife Flyers - who both rivals for the final couple of playoff spots.
Sylvain Cloutier's side held an unlikely 3-2 lead into the first intermission thanks to a Carl Lauzon double and a Jereme Tendler goal, with Nottingham's markers coming from Matt Ryan and David Clarke.
The Rays extended their lead to two goals on 23.56 as Guillaume Doucet notched a powerplay goal, however, the Panthers comeback 10 minutes later as Robert Lachowicz narrowed the deficit to one goal.
Crucially, Clarke then popped up for the second time in the match and levelled the scores with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
The Stingrays - who were outshot 43-23 overall - were able to fire just five shots on Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski in the final period as Lachowicz recorded the game winning goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the game before Petr Kalus added a sixth with less than 30 seconds remaining.
The defeat is the Stingrays third in a row following their seven game win streak and Cloutier will be hoping to halt losing run with a big weekend coming up next week against the Cardiff Devils and Fife Flyers - who both rivals for the final couple of playoff spots.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Stingrays score seven (again) to shock Panthers
Hull Stingrays 7-5 Nottingham Panthers
The Hull Stingrays tonight hit seven goals for the second time in two home games, following up their 7-1 trouncing of the Edinburgh Capitals last week with a 7-5 shock win over the Nottingham Panthers.
Having spent the last three games down to just two lines and very little more, Sylvain Cloutier's side were boosted by the return of Bobby Chamberlain from GB U20 duty and the re-signing of Ukrainian defenceman Nikolai Ladygin - who made his second debut for the club. However, British forward trio Matty Davies, Sam Towner and Tom Squires remained on the sidelines through injury.
Regardless, after a slow start from both sides, the Stingrays opened the scoring through Jereme Tendler on 12.36 before doubling their lead through Guillaume Doucet just over a minute later with debutant Ladygin bagging an assist on the goal.
The Panthers would then add a late first period goal through David Clarke to halve the deficit heading into the first period intermission.
The second period was all about the Stingrays though as they netted two goals in the opening five minutes though Doucet on the powerplay - with Ladygin notching his second assist of a successful return - and fellow French-Canadian Carl Lauzon to chase starting netminder Neil Conway from the net.
He was replaced by Panthers back-up Dan Green - who didn't fare much better - conceding two more goals in the second period, first through Jason Silverthorn after sustained Stingrays pressure before Tendler added his second and the Stingrays sixth on the powerplay at 36.09.
Doucet would complete his second hat-trick of the season 6.27 into the third before Corey Neilson's side finally regrouped and began an unlikely comeback with 14 minutes left on the clock, outshooting the Stingrays 17-5 in the final 20.
Matt Francis scored a quick fire three minute double after nine minutes to reduce the score to 7-3 before late sloppiness then cost the Stingrays dear as the Panthers netted powerplay goals on 56.04 and 57.05 through Chris Murray and Clarke to reduce the deficit to two.
It was too little too late from the Panthers though and the Stingrays completed a famous 7-5 victory over their visitors from Nottingham, a victory which Stingrays owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan would call "the biggest win I have had since I took over".
The Stingrays have now claimed ten points from 12 and travel to Kirkcaldy to take on the Fife Flyers on Sunday evening looking to further extend that run.
The Hull Stingrays tonight hit seven goals for the second time in two home games, following up their 7-1 trouncing of the Edinburgh Capitals last week with a 7-5 shock win over the Nottingham Panthers.
Having spent the last three games down to just two lines and very little more, Sylvain Cloutier's side were boosted by the return of Bobby Chamberlain from GB U20 duty and the re-signing of Ukrainian defenceman Nikolai Ladygin - who made his second debut for the club. However, British forward trio Matty Davies, Sam Towner and Tom Squires remained on the sidelines through injury.
Regardless, after a slow start from both sides, the Stingrays opened the scoring through Jereme Tendler on 12.36 before doubling their lead through Guillaume Doucet just over a minute later with debutant Ladygin bagging an assist on the goal.
The Panthers would then add a late first period goal through David Clarke to halve the deficit heading into the first period intermission.
The second period was all about the Stingrays though as they netted two goals in the opening five minutes though Doucet on the powerplay - with Ladygin notching his second assist of a successful return - and fellow French-Canadian Carl Lauzon to chase starting netminder Neil Conway from the net.
He was replaced by Panthers back-up Dan Green - who didn't fare much better - conceding two more goals in the second period, first through Jason Silverthorn after sustained Stingrays pressure before Tendler added his second and the Stingrays sixth on the powerplay at 36.09.
Doucet would complete his second hat-trick of the season 6.27 into the third before Corey Neilson's side finally regrouped and began an unlikely comeback with 14 minutes left on the clock, outshooting the Stingrays 17-5 in the final 20.
Matt Francis scored a quick fire three minute double after nine minutes to reduce the score to 7-3 before late sloppiness then cost the Stingrays dear as the Panthers netted powerplay goals on 56.04 and 57.05 through Chris Murray and Clarke to reduce the deficit to two.
It was too little too late from the Panthers though and the Stingrays completed a famous 7-5 victory over their visitors from Nottingham, a victory which Stingrays owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan would call "the biggest win I have had since I took over".
The Stingrays have now claimed ten points from 12 and travel to Kirkcaldy to take on the Fife Flyers on Sunday evening looking to further extend that run.
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Tendler becomes Stingrays all-time leading goalscorer in narrow Challenge Cup defeat
Hull Stingrays 4-6 Nottingham Panthers (Challenge Cup)
Forward Jereme Tendler tonight notched a goal to become the Hull Stingrays all-time leading goalscorer but was unable to help his side defeat the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup as they lost out 6-4 in a tight affair.
With Nottingham - the reigning Challenge Cup champions - already qualified for the Quarter Final stage and the Stingrays all but guaranteed an early exit, the game was something of a dead rubber.
Indeed, the Panthers rested starting netminder Craig Kowalski and forward Lynn Loyns ahead of the start of their Continental Cup campaign, while the Stingrays were without Derek Campbell following his release and suspension last week and Jeff Smith - who received an automatic one-game ban for the match penalty he received in Saturday's victory over Fife.
Facing Nottingham back-up netminder Dan Green, the Stingrays immediately set about testing the British stopper with a series of early shots. Having put in a number of shaky performances in Hull in the past, Green's confidence grew early on as the Rays applied that pressure thanks to two early powerplay opportunities.
The Panthers soon after got their own first powerplay chance of the evening thanks to a Kyle Mariani tripping penalty and they duly and clinically converted for a 1-0 lead. David Clarke picking up a loose pass that had been fired across the Stingrays net before instinctively firing the puck goal bound with Rays netminder Ben Bowns stretching but unable to deny his fellow GB international on 8.19.
An immediate response followed from the Stingrays though as an awful giveaway from Panthers British defenceman Tom Norton gifted the puck to Rays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier - who made no mistake levelling the scores less than 30 seconds later with his first of the season.
Guillaume Doucet then gave the Stingrays a somewhat surprise lead on 10.04, rushing into the zone two-on-two before picking his spot perfectly over the shoulder of Green.
Nottingham responded by controlling the play five-on-five for long periods of the first period with Leigh Salters and the always impressive Matt Francis using a combination of speed and strength to keep the pressure on the Rays in their own end.
The home side did eventually break up the pressure and a great shift from Cloutier on rangy Panthers defenceman Brent Henley eventually forced a great chance for Tendler close in front only for Joonas Saari to deny the opportunity with a clever, perfectly timed infraction.
On the ensuing powerplay the Stingrays were again gifted possession thanks to some sloppy Panthers defending. That allowed a two-on-one Stingrays break only for utility player Mariani to fire his one-timer wide when presented with a gaping net and when it seemed easier to score.
Such is the cruelty of sport, while the Stingrays were ruing a miss that would have put them two goals to the good heading into the first intermission, the Panthers broke and leveled the score through defenceman Chris Murray with less than 30 seconds to play in the period.
The thoroughly enjoyable, 'nothing' game opened up somewhat in the second period as the visitors piled on the pressure five-on-five, only for the Stingrays to determinedly counter-attack - albeit much of the time to little or no effect with a lack of numbers evidently hurting their depth.
The biggest chance of what was a penalty strewn secondperiod for the Rays - with Martin Ondrej picking up a ten minute misconduct for abuse of an official when disputing an earlier call - again fell to Cloutier - who shot his one-timer the wrong side of the post when left open shorthanded.
Former Hull Thunder forward Jonathan Weaver would then give the Panthers a deserved second period lead on 31.43, firing home a point shot on a well oiled Nottingham powerplay for a 3-2 lead.
As the period wore down Jason Silverthorn - who registered a two point night and four point weekend - broke through one-on-one on Dan Green only to be denied by the British netminder - who stopped 23 or 27 shots on the night.
Though there had already been noticeable improvements in the opening two periods from the Stingrays on recent weeks, they further stepped their game up in the third period and took the game to the away side.
It took them just 40 seconds of the third period to equalise on a penalty taken by Salters late in the second with a rebound from a Silverthorn pointshot falling to that man Tendler.
Picking the rebound up in an awkward position almost with his back to net, Tendler backhanded the puck goal bound, beating Green for his fifth goal in five consecutive games and, more significantly, his 139th goal in 181 games in Hull Stingrays colours.
That goal put daylight between Tendler and former fan favourite Jeff Glowa - on 138 goals - to make the the Saskatchewan native the Stingrays all-time leading goal scorer.
Not only has Tendler broken the record but he has done so in a significantly shorter period, hitting the mark in 181 games and three and a quarter seasons as opposed to Glowa's 304 games - still a Stingrays record - and six seasons.
Ignoring the record, the Panthers struck back less than two minutes later as Brandon Benedict was left unmarked in the slot on the powerplay to polish off another well worked powerplay goal as they went three-for-six on the man advantage on the night.
The Stingrays would hit the post through Guillaume Doucet before finding their third and final equaliser of the night.
Having been caught by a stick mid-ice on what he believed should've been an infraction, Carl Lauzon - who, it has to be said, has so far struggled in his early Stingrays career - determinedly skated through the Panthers with speed but at relative ease and coolly slotted home for a powerplay goal that leveled the score at 4-4.
The goal is just Lauzon's second in nine games for the Stingrays, however, more is expected from a player that has consistently been a top scorer in the French top flight over the last three seasons.
Shortly after tying the score, Lauzon and fellow French-Canadian Doucet broke through two-on-one only to be denied a sure-fire goal thanks to a perfectly timed block from the Panthers last defenceman that prevented the puck finding Lauzon at the back post.
After missing a number of big chances throughout the game, the Stingrays were made to pay by the powerful and clinical Panthers in the last ten minutes - despite outplaying them for periods in the third.
Stingrays captain Matt Suderman initially thwarted a charge at the net by Panthers forward Salters, only for his poke-check to force the puck into the path of experienced centre Bob Wren - who fired home the Panthers fifth of the evening and eventual game winning goal.
The goal broke the Stingrays determined spirit with seven minutes to play and, in a subdued final five minutes, Salters would eventually get his goal with just over two minutes to play.
The victory all-but clinches Challenge Cup Group B for the Panthers and eliminates the Stingrays from quarter final contention with three games yet to play.
Despite that and the end result on the night, there are undoubtedly positives to take from the Stingrays performance both tonight and the 4-1 win over Fife last night.
There has been a noted improvement in performance and desire over the last week - perhaps partially a case of fighting against the adversity caused by last weekend's Derek Campbell incident.
Regardless of why, the Stingrays must maintain that momentum heading into next weekend as the Dundee Stars return to the Hull Arena less than two weeks after the Campbell incident.
Forward Jereme Tendler tonight notched a goal to become the Hull Stingrays all-time leading goalscorer but was unable to help his side defeat the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup as they lost out 6-4 in a tight affair.
With Nottingham - the reigning Challenge Cup champions - already qualified for the Quarter Final stage and the Stingrays all but guaranteed an early exit, the game was something of a dead rubber.
Indeed, the Panthers rested starting netminder Craig Kowalski and forward Lynn Loyns ahead of the start of their Continental Cup campaign, while the Stingrays were without Derek Campbell following his release and suspension last week and Jeff Smith - who received an automatic one-game ban for the match penalty he received in Saturday's victory over Fife.
Facing Nottingham back-up netminder Dan Green, the Stingrays immediately set about testing the British stopper with a series of early shots. Having put in a number of shaky performances in Hull in the past, Green's confidence grew early on as the Rays applied that pressure thanks to two early powerplay opportunities.
The Panthers soon after got their own first powerplay chance of the evening thanks to a Kyle Mariani tripping penalty and they duly and clinically converted for a 1-0 lead. David Clarke picking up a loose pass that had been fired across the Stingrays net before instinctively firing the puck goal bound with Rays netminder Ben Bowns stretching but unable to deny his fellow GB international on 8.19.
An immediate response followed from the Stingrays though as an awful giveaway from Panthers British defenceman Tom Norton gifted the puck to Rays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier - who made no mistake levelling the scores less than 30 seconds later with his first of the season.
Guillaume Doucet then gave the Stingrays a somewhat surprise lead on 10.04, rushing into the zone two-on-two before picking his spot perfectly over the shoulder of Green.
Nottingham responded by controlling the play five-on-five for long periods of the first period with Leigh Salters and the always impressive Matt Francis using a combination of speed and strength to keep the pressure on the Rays in their own end.
The home side did eventually break up the pressure and a great shift from Cloutier on rangy Panthers defenceman Brent Henley eventually forced a great chance for Tendler close in front only for Joonas Saari to deny the opportunity with a clever, perfectly timed infraction.
On the ensuing powerplay the Stingrays were again gifted possession thanks to some sloppy Panthers defending. That allowed a two-on-one Stingrays break only for utility player Mariani to fire his one-timer wide when presented with a gaping net and when it seemed easier to score.
Such is the cruelty of sport, while the Stingrays were ruing a miss that would have put them two goals to the good heading into the first intermission, the Panthers broke and leveled the score through defenceman Chris Murray with less than 30 seconds to play in the period.
The thoroughly enjoyable, 'nothing' game opened up somewhat in the second period as the visitors piled on the pressure five-on-five, only for the Stingrays to determinedly counter-attack - albeit much of the time to little or no effect with a lack of numbers evidently hurting their depth.
The biggest chance of what was a penalty strewn secondperiod for the Rays - with Martin Ondrej picking up a ten minute misconduct for abuse of an official when disputing an earlier call - again fell to Cloutier - who shot his one-timer the wrong side of the post when left open shorthanded.
Former Hull Thunder forward Jonathan Weaver would then give the Panthers a deserved second period lead on 31.43, firing home a point shot on a well oiled Nottingham powerplay for a 3-2 lead.
As the period wore down Jason Silverthorn - who registered a two point night and four point weekend - broke through one-on-one on Dan Green only to be denied by the British netminder - who stopped 23 or 27 shots on the night.
Though there had already been noticeable improvements in the opening two periods from the Stingrays on recent weeks, they further stepped their game up in the third period and took the game to the away side.
It took them just 40 seconds of the third period to equalise on a penalty taken by Salters late in the second with a rebound from a Silverthorn pointshot falling to that man Tendler.
Picking the rebound up in an awkward position almost with his back to net, Tendler backhanded the puck goal bound, beating Green for his fifth goal in five consecutive games and, more significantly, his 139th goal in 181 games in Hull Stingrays colours.
That goal put daylight between Tendler and former fan favourite Jeff Glowa - on 138 goals - to make the the Saskatchewan native the Stingrays all-time leading goal scorer.
Not only has Tendler broken the record but he has done so in a significantly shorter period, hitting the mark in 181 games and three and a quarter seasons as opposed to Glowa's 304 games - still a Stingrays record - and six seasons.
Stingrays All-Time Leading Goalscorers
1. Jereme Tendler - 139 (181 games)
2. Jeff Glowa - 138 (304 games)
3. Jason Silverthorn - 96 (227 games)
4. Konstantin Kalmikov - 78 (166 games)
5. Slava Koulikov - 66 (227 games)
*Source: Elite Prospects
The Stingrays would hit the post through Guillaume Doucet before finding their third and final equaliser of the night.
Having been caught by a stick mid-ice on what he believed should've been an infraction, Carl Lauzon - who, it has to be said, has so far struggled in his early Stingrays career - determinedly skated through the Panthers with speed but at relative ease and coolly slotted home for a powerplay goal that leveled the score at 4-4.
The goal is just Lauzon's second in nine games for the Stingrays, however, more is expected from a player that has consistently been a top scorer in the French top flight over the last three seasons.
Shortly after tying the score, Lauzon and fellow French-Canadian Doucet broke through two-on-one only to be denied a sure-fire goal thanks to a perfectly timed block from the Panthers last defenceman that prevented the puck finding Lauzon at the back post.
After missing a number of big chances throughout the game, the Stingrays were made to pay by the powerful and clinical Panthers in the last ten minutes - despite outplaying them for periods in the third.
Stingrays captain Matt Suderman initially thwarted a charge at the net by Panthers forward Salters, only for his poke-check to force the puck into the path of experienced centre Bob Wren - who fired home the Panthers fifth of the evening and eventual game winning goal.
The goal broke the Stingrays determined spirit with seven minutes to play and, in a subdued final five minutes, Salters would eventually get his goal with just over two minutes to play.
The victory all-but clinches Challenge Cup Group B for the Panthers and eliminates the Stingrays from quarter final contention with three games yet to play.
Despite that and the end result on the night, there are undoubtedly positives to take from the Stingrays performance both tonight and the 4-1 win over Fife last night.
There has been a noted improvement in performance and desire over the last week - perhaps partially a case of fighting against the adversity caused by last weekend's Derek Campbell incident.
Regardless of why, the Stingrays must maintain that momentum heading into next weekend as the Dundee Stars return to the Hull Arena less than two weeks after the Campbell incident.
FBB Three Stars
1. Omar Pacha (0+1)
2. Martin Ondrej (0+0)
3. Guillaume Doucet (1+0)
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Encouraging signs for Stingrays on opening night despite heavy defeat
Nottingham Panthers 9-3 Hull Stingrays (EL/CC)
A poor third period tonight cost the Hull Stingrays dear in their opening fixture of the 13/14 Elite League season as they were heavily beaten 9-3 by reigning Elite League, playoff and Challenge Cup champions the Nottingham Panthers despite an encouraging opening 40 minutes.
In a fixture that doubled up as both a league and Challenge Cup Group B match, the Stingrays were without the services of imports Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon - who have not yet arrived in the country - and young Brit Lee Bonner.
Regardless of whether they were at full strength or not, it was always going to be very difficult for Sylvain Cloutier's side facing one of the strongest sides in the league at full strength and, indeed, so it provde.
The Panthers - who had rung the post seconds after opening face-off - deservedly led 2-0 through Robert Lachowicz and Brandon Benedict after 13 minutes before Jereme Tendler opened his account for the year on 14.21. The home side - who outshot the Rays 19-6 in the first - would add their third of the first period through Bob Wren just over a minute after the Stingrays opener though, giving them a commanding two goal lead heading into the second period.
The visitors bounced back in a big way in the second period with Tendler adding his second of the night and 131st in a Stingrays jersey with British defenceman Jamie Chilcott notching his first point as a professional on the goal. Four minutes later, Jason Silverthorn would pop up and shock the home crowd by leveling the score at 3-3.
Crucially and perhaps cruelly on the Stingrays, veteran centre Wren responded for the Panthers five minutes later to give them a 4-3 lead.
The Panthers held that advantage into the second intermission before Chris Capraro scored a big powerplay goal 1.22 into the third period.
That goal proved to be the straw that broke the camels back as the Stingrays were outshot 17-3 and conceded a further four third period goals through Lachowicz - who completed his hat-trick with two further goals - Chris Murray and Matt Francis with Ben Bowns - who had been solid throughout - being replaced by Greg Blais at 7-3.
Despite the defeat, the Cloutier and the Stingrays will be encouraged by their performance through 40 minutes. Naturally, there will be concerns about leaking nine goals on opening night but against a very strong, full strength Nottingham side and with two further imports to come into the side, there are positives to take into their second game of opening weekend against the Braehead Clan on Sunday night.
In a fixture that doubled up as both a league and Challenge Cup Group B match, the Stingrays were without the services of imports Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon - who have not yet arrived in the country - and young Brit Lee Bonner.
Regardless of whether they were at full strength or not, it was always going to be very difficult for Sylvain Cloutier's side facing one of the strongest sides in the league at full strength and, indeed, so it provde.
The Panthers - who had rung the post seconds after opening face-off - deservedly led 2-0 through Robert Lachowicz and Brandon Benedict after 13 minutes before Jereme Tendler opened his account for the year on 14.21. The home side - who outshot the Rays 19-6 in the first - would add their third of the first period through Bob Wren just over a minute after the Stingrays opener though, giving them a commanding two goal lead heading into the second period.
The visitors bounced back in a big way in the second period with Tendler adding his second of the night and 131st in a Stingrays jersey with British defenceman Jamie Chilcott notching his first point as a professional on the goal. Four minutes later, Jason Silverthorn would pop up and shock the home crowd by leveling the score at 3-3.
Crucially and perhaps cruelly on the Stingrays, veteran centre Wren responded for the Panthers five minutes later to give them a 4-3 lead.
The Panthers held that advantage into the second intermission before Chris Capraro scored a big powerplay goal 1.22 into the third period.
That goal proved to be the straw that broke the camels back as the Stingrays were outshot 17-3 and conceded a further four third period goals through Lachowicz - who completed his hat-trick with two further goals - Chris Murray and Matt Francis with Ben Bowns - who had been solid throughout - being replaced by Greg Blais at 7-3.
Despite the defeat, the Cloutier and the Stingrays will be encouraged by their performance through 40 minutes. Naturally, there will be concerns about leaking nine goals on opening night but against a very strong, full strength Nottingham side and with two further imports to come into the side, there are positives to take into their second game of opening weekend against the Braehead Clan on Sunday night.
Monday, 17 June 2013
EIHL fixtures announced; Rays start with 12/13 treble winners
The Hull Stingrays will begin their 2013/2014 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign on Saturday 7th September against reigning Elite League, Challenge Cup and Playoff champions the Nottingham Panthers it was revealed today.
Meanwhile, the club also announced today pre-season fixtures against Elite League rivals the Coventry Blaze and the English Premier League's Sheffield Steeldogs.
Unsurprisingly, upon announcing the 13/14 fixture list, the Elite League confirmed that they would continue with last season's preferred two-conference format with every team playing sides in their own conference four times home and away, and sides in the opposing conference twice home and away.
The Challenge Cup format also remains unchanged with the Stingrays again in Group B alongside the Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers - whom they will play once home and away.
The Rays will open and close their pre-season preparations against Mathias Soderstrom's Coventry side on Wednesday 28th August (Coventry Skydome) and Wednesday 4th September (Hull Arena) respectively, with games against Andre Payette's second tier Steeldogs side sandwiched inbetween on Thursday 29th August (Ice Sheffield) and Sunday 1st September (Hull Arena).
Three days after their final warm-up fixture on Saturday 7th September, the Stingrays will travel to Nottingham to open up the regular season in the toughest possible fashion against the 12/13 treble winners and 13/14 favourites for the title, the Nottingham Panthers.
Sylvain Cloutier's side follow up that baptism of fire with their first home fixture of the regular season against the Braehead Clan in Ryan Finnety's second game as head coach.
The club's tough start to the season doesn't end there though as they face Erhardt Conference sides five times in their opening seven games in September - thanks mostly to to their grouping in the Challenge Cup, which admittedly brings other advantages.
Their challenge for the Gardiner Conference kicks in during October with six of their eight fixtures against conference rivals and it continues in November and December as they meet Erhardt Conference sides just four times in 17 games.
Once again, Stingrays will travel to Scotland - where they really struggled on their travels last term - on 14 occasions including two weekends north of the border on 7th and 8th December against Fife and Edinburgh, and 11th and 12th January against Braehead and Edinburgh.
By 12th October's meeting with the Fife Flyers, the club will have faced every Elite League side.
Other notable weekends include home and home weekends against the Dundee Stars (5/6 October), Edinburgh Capitals (26/27 October) and Coventry Blaze (2/3 November).
In the final five weeks of the season the Stingrays will face-off against the Dundee Stars and Sheffield Steelers three times apiece, ending the regular season on Sunday 23rd March at the Hull Arena against their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield.
Meanwhile, as far as the home fixture breakdown is concerned, the Saturday night is most certainly hockey night in Hull this season with 16 Saturday night face-off's, ten on Sunday and four on Wednesday.
Wed 28th - Coventry Blaze (A) - PS
Thu 29th - Sheffield Steeldogs (A) - PS
Sun 1st - Sheffield Steeldogs (H) - PS
Wed 4th - Coventry Blaze (H) - PS
Sat 7th - Nottingham Panthers (A) - L/CC
Sun 8th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sun 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - CC
Wed 18th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - CC
Sat 21st - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Coventry Blaze (A) - CC
Sun 29th - Belfast Giants (H) - L
Sat 5th - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sun 6th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 12th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 13th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - CC
Sat 19th - Dundee Stars (H) L
Sat 26th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) L
Sun 27th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Thu 31th - Cardiff Devils (A) - CC
Sat 2nd - Coventry Blaze (H) - CC
Sun 3rd - Coventry Blaze (A) - L
Sat 9th - Belfast Giants (H) - L
Sun 10th - Cardiff Devils (A) - L
Sat 16th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 23th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 24th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L
Sat 30th - Sheffield (H) - CC
Sun 1st - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sat 7th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 8th - Edinburgh Capitals(A) - L
Thu 12th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 14th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Sat 21st - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sat 28th Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Mon 30th - Belfast Giants (A) - L
Thu 2nd - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L
Sat 4th - Coventry Blaze (A) - L
Sun 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sat 11th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sun 12th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L
Wed 15th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sat 18th - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sat 25th - Coventry Blaze (H) - L
Sun 26th Nottingham Panthers (A) - L
Wed 29th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 1st - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sun 2nd: Cardiff Devils (A) - L
Wed 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Fri 7th - Belfast Giants (A) - L
Sun 9th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L
Wed 12th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 16th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Wed 19th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sun 23rd - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 1st - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sat 8th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L
Wed 12th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sat 15th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sun 16th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L
Sun 23th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L
Unsurprisingly, upon announcing the 13/14 fixture list, the Elite League confirmed that they would continue with last season's preferred two-conference format with every team playing sides in their own conference four times home and away, and sides in the opposing conference twice home and away.
The Challenge Cup format also remains unchanged with the Stingrays again in Group B alongside the Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers - whom they will play once home and away.
The Rays will open and close their pre-season preparations against Mathias Soderstrom's Coventry side on Wednesday 28th August (Coventry Skydome) and Wednesday 4th September (Hull Arena) respectively, with games against Andre Payette's second tier Steeldogs side sandwiched inbetween on Thursday 29th August (Ice Sheffield) and Sunday 1st September (Hull Arena).
Three days after their final warm-up fixture on Saturday 7th September, the Stingrays will travel to Nottingham to open up the regular season in the toughest possible fashion against the 12/13 treble winners and 13/14 favourites for the title, the Nottingham Panthers.
Sylvain Cloutier's side follow up that baptism of fire with their first home fixture of the regular season against the Braehead Clan in Ryan Finnety's second game as head coach.
The club's tough start to the season doesn't end there though as they face Erhardt Conference sides five times in their opening seven games in September - thanks mostly to to their grouping in the Challenge Cup, which admittedly brings other advantages.
Their challenge for the Gardiner Conference kicks in during October with six of their eight fixtures against conference rivals and it continues in November and December as they meet Erhardt Conference sides just four times in 17 games.
Once again, Stingrays will travel to Scotland - where they really struggled on their travels last term - on 14 occasions including two weekends north of the border on 7th and 8th December against Fife and Edinburgh, and 11th and 12th January against Braehead and Edinburgh.
Other notable weekends include home and home weekends against the Dundee Stars (5/6 October), Edinburgh Capitals (26/27 October) and Coventry Blaze (2/3 November).
In the final five weeks of the season the Stingrays will face-off against the Dundee Stars and Sheffield Steelers three times apiece, ending the regular season on Sunday 23rd March at the Hull Arena against their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield.
Meanwhile, as far as the home fixture breakdown is concerned, the Saturday night is most certainly hockey night in Hull this season with 16 Saturday night face-off's, ten on Sunday and four on Wednesday.
Hull Stingrays Fixture List - Elite Ice Hockey League 13/14
August 2013
2 Pre-season
2 Away
1 Erhardt Conference, 1 EPL
Wed 28th - Coventry Blaze (A) - PS
Thu 29th - Sheffield Steeldogs (A) - PS
September
2 Pre-season, 3 League, 3 Challenge Cup, 1 League/Challenge Cup
5 Home, 3 Away
1 EPL, 6 Erhardt Conference, 2 Gardiner Conference
Wed 4th - Coventry Blaze (H) - PS
Sat 7th - Nottingham Panthers (A) - L/CC
Sun 8th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sun 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - CC
Wed 18th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - CC
Sat 21st - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Coventry Blaze (A) - CC
Sun 29th - Belfast Giants (H) - L
October
6 League, 2 Challenge Cup
4 Home, 4 Away
6 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference
Sat 5th - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sun 6th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 12th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 13th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - CC
Sat 19th - Dundee Stars (H) L
Sat 26th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) L
Sun 27th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Thu 31th - Cardiff Devils (A) - CC
November
6 League, 2 Challenge Cup
4 Home, 4 Away
6 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference
Sat 2nd - Coventry Blaze (H) - CC
Sun 3rd - Coventry Blaze (A) - L
Sat 9th - Belfast Giants (H) - L
Sun 10th - Cardiff Devils (A) - L
Sat 16th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 23th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 24th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L
Sat 30th - Sheffield (H) - CC
December
9 League
4 Home, 5 Away
7 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference
Sun 1st - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sat 7th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 8th - Edinburgh Capitals(A) - L
Thu 12th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 14th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Sat 21st - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sat 28th Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Mon 30th - Belfast Giants (A) - L
January 2014
10 League
4 Home, 6 Away
6 Gardiner Conference, 4 Erhardt Conference
Thu 2nd - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L
Sat 4th - Coventry Blaze (A) - L
Sun 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sat 11th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sun 12th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L
Wed 15th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sat 18th - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sat 25th - Coventry Blaze (H) - L
Sun 26th Nottingham Panthers (A) - L
Wed 29th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
February
10 League
5 Home, 5 Away
6 Gardiner Conference, 4 Erhardt Conference
Sat 1st - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sun 2nd: Cardiff Devils (A) - L
Wed 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Fri 7th - Belfast Giants (A) - L
Sun 9th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L
Wed 12th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 16th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Wed 19th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sun 23rd - Dundee Stars (A) - L
March
6 League
4 Home, 2 Away
3 Gardiner Conference, 3 Erhardt Conference
Sat 1st - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sat 8th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L
Wed 12th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sat 15th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sun 16th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L
Sun 23th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Four game win streak ends in gutsy defeat to title chasing Nottingham
Hull Stingrays 1-3 Nottingham Panthers
A gusty defensive performance from the Hull Stingrays this evening was not enough to prevent the title chasing Nottingham Panthers ending their four game win streak in a 3-1 victory in front of one of the biggest crowds of the season at the Hull Arena.
The title chasing Panthers got off to the perfect start on the night, opening the scoring after just 19 seconds as Kelsey Wilson emphatically beat Ben Bowns glove side on a two-on-one created when Kurtis Dulle got caught on the blueline by David Clarke.
Though there were no complaints at the time from the Stingrays, it appeared as though play should have been whistled dead prior to Dulle losing possession in the offensive zone as a clearance from Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski behind the net clipped the netting above the plexi-glass.
Regardless, the Panthers started the game like a freight train, dominated large swathes of the game and were deserving of their early lead. The home side in complete contrast weren't able to muster any offence in the early stages - mainly due to the Panthers suffocating presence across the ice - with their first real shot on goal coming just before the halfway mark of the period and after a fifth minute scrap between Dominic Osman and Stevie Lee.
The Rays - who were without Jason Silverthorn through injury and therefore had to shift Jeff Smith up front - worked hard to get themselves into the game - mainly because they would never be able to sustain the relentless Nottingham offence for 60 minutes - and they eventually did so following a powerplay on 9.37 via a slash from Guillaume Lepine.
They eventually grew in confidence, or perhaps regained their energy after a great Nottingham start, and their biggest chance of the game came shortly after the 15 minute mark as Sylvain Cloutier worked hard around the boards to fish to puck out to topscorer Jereme Tendler - who agonisingly fired over when presented with space in front to get a shot away.
A familiar pattern developed in a second period which the Panthers, if anything, further enhanced their grip on the game - outshooting the Stingrays 18-8. They would come up empty on this occasion though thanks to some sterling netminding from man of the match Ben Bowns as Cloutier's side continued to battle hard to maintain the deficit at just one goal and their slim hopes of snatching a point.
Martin Ondrej - who again played a punishing, solid game in defence - fired a great chance wide for the home side, having uncharacteristically skated at pace through the Panthers defence, but that would be as close as they would come in another powerful period from Corey Neilson's men.
Much to the Stingrays credit, they remained just one-goal down heading into the third period thanks to a collective effort defensively and, while there was rarely ever any doubt about the end result, they put in a gutsy performance along the way, withstanding wave after wave of attack at times.
While the floodgates didn't open as many people probably expected, the Panthers went on to notch goals two and three through David Beauregard - who fired into the empty net on a Bowns rebound after 46 minutes - and David Clarke late on.
The goals wrapped up much needed win for the Panthers - who now appear on the verge of their first league title since 1956 following their victory and Edinburgh's surprise truimph over their closest rivals Belfast in Scotland.
With just four seconds remaining on the clock, Dulle and Dominic Osman combined before stand-in forward Smith scoop home a rebound from close in to spoil Kowalski's shut out and give the Rays some thoroughly-deserved offensive joy after a night of hard-work defensively across the board.
Dundee's defeat of Fife this evening relegates the Stingrays back down to 9th in the Elite League - currently one point shy of the final playoff spot - and shortens the gap between the Stingrays in first and Dundee in second in the Gardiner Conference to just two points.
Given the number of games Braehead, Dundee, Fife and Edinburgh have to play against each other it would take an extremely fortuitous sequence of results for the Stingrays to make the playoffs despite their best efforts.
Still, regardless of the circumstances of the run in, all Cloutier and his side can do is continue putting in the type of committed performances they have this weekend in the remaining four fixtures this season.
The Stingrays now take on Cardiff at the Hull Arena next Saturday hoping to claim a fifth win from six games against the Welsh side this season before an absolute must-win game on Sunday in Dundee against a Stars side the Rays beat 5-3 last night.
Their 2012/2013 Elite League regular season campaign comes to a close the following weekend with a fixture at Ice Sheffield against the Sheffield Steelers before a final home game of the year against the Coventry Blaze.
A gusty defensive performance from the Hull Stingrays this evening was not enough to prevent the title chasing Nottingham Panthers ending their four game win streak in a 3-1 victory in front of one of the biggest crowds of the season at the Hull Arena.
The title chasing Panthers got off to the perfect start on the night, opening the scoring after just 19 seconds as Kelsey Wilson emphatically beat Ben Bowns glove side on a two-on-one created when Kurtis Dulle got caught on the blueline by David Clarke.
Though there were no complaints at the time from the Stingrays, it appeared as though play should have been whistled dead prior to Dulle losing possession in the offensive zone as a clearance from Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski behind the net clipped the netting above the plexi-glass.
Regardless, the Panthers started the game like a freight train, dominated large swathes of the game and were deserving of their early lead. The home side in complete contrast weren't able to muster any offence in the early stages - mainly due to the Panthers suffocating presence across the ice - with their first real shot on goal coming just before the halfway mark of the period and after a fifth minute scrap between Dominic Osman and Stevie Lee.
The Rays - who were without Jason Silverthorn through injury and therefore had to shift Jeff Smith up front - worked hard to get themselves into the game - mainly because they would never be able to sustain the relentless Nottingham offence for 60 minutes - and they eventually did so following a powerplay on 9.37 via a slash from Guillaume Lepine.
They eventually grew in confidence, or perhaps regained their energy after a great Nottingham start, and their biggest chance of the game came shortly after the 15 minute mark as Sylvain Cloutier worked hard around the boards to fish to puck out to topscorer Jereme Tendler - who agonisingly fired over when presented with space in front to get a shot away.
A familiar pattern developed in a second period which the Panthers, if anything, further enhanced their grip on the game - outshooting the Stingrays 18-8. They would come up empty on this occasion though thanks to some sterling netminding from man of the match Ben Bowns as Cloutier's side continued to battle hard to maintain the deficit at just one goal and their slim hopes of snatching a point.
Martin Ondrej - who again played a punishing, solid game in defence - fired a great chance wide for the home side, having uncharacteristically skated at pace through the Panthers defence, but that would be as close as they would come in another powerful period from Corey Neilson's men.
Much to the Stingrays credit, they remained just one-goal down heading into the third period thanks to a collective effort defensively and, while there was rarely ever any doubt about the end result, they put in a gutsy performance along the way, withstanding wave after wave of attack at times.
While the floodgates didn't open as many people probably expected, the Panthers went on to notch goals two and three through David Beauregard - who fired into the empty net on a Bowns rebound after 46 minutes - and David Clarke late on.
The goals wrapped up much needed win for the Panthers - who now appear on the verge of their first league title since 1956 following their victory and Edinburgh's surprise truimph over their closest rivals Belfast in Scotland.
With just four seconds remaining on the clock, Dulle and Dominic Osman combined before stand-in forward Smith scoop home a rebound from close in to spoil Kowalski's shut out and give the Rays some thoroughly-deserved offensive joy after a night of hard-work defensively across the board.
Dundee's defeat of Fife this evening relegates the Stingrays back down to 9th in the Elite League - currently one point shy of the final playoff spot - and shortens the gap between the Stingrays in first and Dundee in second in the Gardiner Conference to just two points.
Given the number of games Braehead, Dundee, Fife and Edinburgh have to play against each other it would take an extremely fortuitous sequence of results for the Stingrays to make the playoffs despite their best efforts.
Still, regardless of the circumstances of the run in, all Cloutier and his side can do is continue putting in the type of committed performances they have this weekend in the remaining four fixtures this season.
The Stingrays now take on Cardiff at the Hull Arena next Saturday hoping to claim a fifth win from six games against the Welsh side this season before an absolute must-win game on Sunday in Dundee against a Stars side the Rays beat 5-3 last night.
Their 2012/2013 Elite League regular season campaign comes to a close the following weekend with a fixture at Ice Sheffield against the Sheffield Steelers before a final home game of the year against the Coventry Blaze.
FBB Three Stars
1. Ben Bowns
2. Martin Ondrej
3. Matty Davies
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Panthers power past persistent Stingrays
Hull Stingrays 1-3 Nottingham Panthers
A 54 save effort from netminder Ben Bowns was not enough to help the Hull Stingrays to an unlikely victory over the Nottingham Panthers tonight at the Hull Arena as Corey Neilson's side powered themselves past Sylvain Cloutier's resilient side by three goals to one.
The Stingrays failed where fellow Gardiner Conference side the Edinburgh Capitals had earlier in the week triumphed by two goals to one, with a goal in each period sealing a thoroughly deserved performance by the visitors.
In truth though, it was a valiant effort from the Rays - who did all they could to overthrow the power, pace and depth of the big-spending league leaders.
Contrary to their first period against the Stingrays a week ago - after which they trailed 3-1 - Nottingham came out strongly firing 21 shots on Bowns in the Rays net.
While the Neilson's side were in the ascendancy for large part of the first period, the home side did have chances to open the scoring Jereme Tendler and Janis Ozolins guilty of missing the net and firing straight at Nottingham keeper Kowalski when presented with opportunities two-on-one.
A poor hit from the Panthers Bruce Graham on Stingray Sam Towner then set the tone for a chippy game after nine minutes - leaving Towner down on the ice injured. A melee ensued and Rays defenceman Jeff Smith stepped in and dropped the gloves with Graham - apparently, and crucially, after Cloutier had already moved in to challenge the Nottingham forward. The two rangy Canadian's tangled in a length fight with Smith undoubtedly coming out on top.
The incident saw Graham thrown out for boarding and Smith, surprisingly to some, handed a game penalty for third-man in after Cloutier's apparent presence. Towner left the game injured and would later return to the bench but played no further part.
Another fight was sparked eight mintutes later as Marc Levers upended a Stingray in a big way from low down much. Shane Lovdahl confronted the British forward who went down to the ice theatrically when pushed before David Ling stepped in for Nottingham and fought Lovdahl - finishing the better of the two in another spur of the moment fight.
Shortly after, the Panthers opened the scoring - Matt Francis with a relatively tame wrist shot that beat Bowns gloves side in what was perhaps the only blemish in another brilliant performance.
Nottingham applied even more pressure in the middle period, firing 23 shots on Bowns in the Hull goal and they doubled their lead thanks to debutant Kelsey Wilson - who had no trouble scrapping the puck home from close in after 35.46 despite calls for man in the crease from the Stingrays.
For all their dominance possession wise, in the shot count and physically, the Panthers lead remained a slender one heading into the third period.
The Stingrays needed an early boost in the third period and they got one just 53 seconds in through captain Kurtis Dulle - who bulleted home a shot in off the post after a lovely backhanded set-up from Matty Davies who, yet again, chose to pass when presented with a shooting chance.
The goal created some panic in the Nottingham ranks and the Rays enjoyed their best offensive spell in the ensuing moments as they attacked the Panthers straight from off. Kowalski was, for once, flustered as the Rays created, but didn't take, two chances to equalise.
After more than 40 minutes of what seemed like unrelenting pressure and physicality from the Panthers, they added a third of the night through David Ling on the powerplay with less than 13 minutes remaining to seal a relatively narrow but more than deserved victory.
The Panthers undoubted strength in depth was a huge factor in their win, their ability to be unrelenting and the lopsided 57-24 shot count in their favour. The Stingrays - who don't have the deepest roster at the best of times - had to deal with attack after attack, hit after hit and - with Cale Tanaka already sidelined, Smith thrown out and Towner, Tom Squires and Ryan Hand all sustaining niggles throughout the night - it proved too much.
The effort, commitment and application of every one of Cloutier's side this evening cannot be questioned. That said, the man advantage, unfortunately, again fell short - failing to convert on eight attempts this evening - and that, in itself, could have potentially changed the outcome of the game or at least claimed the Rays a valuable point.
It was a valiant effort from the Stingrays though and, in particular, netminder Bowns. They can, at least, take some confidence that the scoreline - despite the Panthers absolute dominance - remained so tight until the end.
A Challenge Cup Quarter Final against the Belfast Giants now awaits the Stingrays on Monday evening before a home tie against the Sheffield Steelers follows next weekend.
A 54 save effort from netminder Ben Bowns was not enough to help the Hull Stingrays to an unlikely victory over the Nottingham Panthers tonight at the Hull Arena as Corey Neilson's side powered themselves past Sylvain Cloutier's resilient side by three goals to one.
The Stingrays failed where fellow Gardiner Conference side the Edinburgh Capitals had earlier in the week triumphed by two goals to one, with a goal in each period sealing a thoroughly deserved performance by the visitors.
In truth though, it was a valiant effort from the Rays - who did all they could to overthrow the power, pace and depth of the big-spending league leaders.
Contrary to their first period against the Stingrays a week ago - after which they trailed 3-1 - Nottingham came out strongly firing 21 shots on Bowns in the Rays net.
While the Neilson's side were in the ascendancy for large part of the first period, the home side did have chances to open the scoring Jereme Tendler and Janis Ozolins guilty of missing the net and firing straight at Nottingham keeper Kowalski when presented with opportunities two-on-one.
A poor hit from the Panthers Bruce Graham on Stingray Sam Towner then set the tone for a chippy game after nine minutes - leaving Towner down on the ice injured. A melee ensued and Rays defenceman Jeff Smith stepped in and dropped the gloves with Graham - apparently, and crucially, after Cloutier had already moved in to challenge the Nottingham forward. The two rangy Canadian's tangled in a length fight with Smith undoubtedly coming out on top.
The incident saw Graham thrown out for boarding and Smith, surprisingly to some, handed a game penalty for third-man in after Cloutier's apparent presence. Towner left the game injured and would later return to the bench but played no further part.
Another fight was sparked eight mintutes later as Marc Levers upended a Stingray in a big way from low down much. Shane Lovdahl confronted the British forward who went down to the ice theatrically when pushed before David Ling stepped in for Nottingham and fought Lovdahl - finishing the better of the two in another spur of the moment fight.
Shortly after, the Panthers opened the scoring - Matt Francis with a relatively tame wrist shot that beat Bowns gloves side in what was perhaps the only blemish in another brilliant performance.
Nottingham applied even more pressure in the middle period, firing 23 shots on Bowns in the Hull goal and they doubled their lead thanks to debutant Kelsey Wilson - who had no trouble scrapping the puck home from close in after 35.46 despite calls for man in the crease from the Stingrays.
For all their dominance possession wise, in the shot count and physically, the Panthers lead remained a slender one heading into the third period.
The Stingrays needed an early boost in the third period and they got one just 53 seconds in through captain Kurtis Dulle - who bulleted home a shot in off the post after a lovely backhanded set-up from Matty Davies who, yet again, chose to pass when presented with a shooting chance.
The goal created some panic in the Nottingham ranks and the Rays enjoyed their best offensive spell in the ensuing moments as they attacked the Panthers straight from off. Kowalski was, for once, flustered as the Rays created, but didn't take, two chances to equalise.
After more than 40 minutes of what seemed like unrelenting pressure and physicality from the Panthers, they added a third of the night through David Ling on the powerplay with less than 13 minutes remaining to seal a relatively narrow but more than deserved victory.
The Panthers undoubted strength in depth was a huge factor in their win, their ability to be unrelenting and the lopsided 57-24 shot count in their favour. The Stingrays - who don't have the deepest roster at the best of times - had to deal with attack after attack, hit after hit and - with Cale Tanaka already sidelined, Smith thrown out and Towner, Tom Squires and Ryan Hand all sustaining niggles throughout the night - it proved too much.
The effort, commitment and application of every one of Cloutier's side this evening cannot be questioned. That said, the man advantage, unfortunately, again fell short - failing to convert on eight attempts this evening - and that, in itself, could have potentially changed the outcome of the game or at least claimed the Rays a valuable point.
It was a valiant effort from the Stingrays though and, in particular, netminder Bowns. They can, at least, take some confidence that the scoreline - despite the Panthers absolute dominance - remained so tight until the end.
A Challenge Cup Quarter Final against the Belfast Giants now awaits the Stingrays on Monday evening before a home tie against the Sheffield Steelers follows next weekend.
FBB Three Stars
1 - Ben Bowns
2 - Martin Ondrej
3 - Matty Davies
Sunday, 9 December 2012
30 minute performance not enough as Rays soundly beaten
Nottingham Panthers 8-4 Hull Stingrays
The Hull Stingrays tonight lead the league leading Nottingham Panthers 3-1 after 30 minutes but imploded in the second half of the fixture, allowing the Panthers to take control of the fixture at the National Ice Centre with seven consecutive goals, eventually losing out 8-4 to their Erhardt Conference opponents.
Without a fixture on Saturday night, the Stingrays had hoped to emulate the upsets by Edinburgh and Fife - who beat Sheffield 2-1 and Belfast 4-1 respectively 24 hours earlier - but quickly found themselves down by a goal.
It took just 29 seconds for the Rays - who had lost three consecutive Gardiner Conference fixtures in the run up to the game - to trail thanks to a goal from defenceman Jason Beckett.
They quickly rebounded though, leveling through Brit Tom Squires' third goal of the season before seizing the initiative with adding goals from Matty Davies and Sylvain Cloutier - who netted his 100th goal in the Elite League with Sam Towner bagging his first ever professional assist on the goal - to lead 3-1.
Cloutier's side lead 3-1 until 31.56 when Jonathan Weaver pulled a goal back on the powerplay before Bruce Graham equalised less than a minute later. The Panthers then lead with just 57 seconds left in the middle period, David Ling giving the home side a 4-3 lead having outshot the Rays 16-4.
Corey Neilson's side - who have recently lost NHLer Anthony Stewart, who has returned to North America - showed their class in the final period firing 25 shots on Ben Bowns in the Ray net for a total of 55, while extending their lead to 8-3 through Graham (PP), Brandon Benedict (PP), Matthew Myers and Pat Galivan.
Janis Ozolins added a last minute consolation fourth goal for the Stingrays past back up netminder Dan Green - who replaced Craig Kowalski with eight minutes to go - but the Panthers comfortably sealed two points thanks to seven goals in less than 30 minutes of play.
The Hull Stingrays tonight lead the league leading Nottingham Panthers 3-1 after 30 minutes but imploded in the second half of the fixture, allowing the Panthers to take control of the fixture at the National Ice Centre with seven consecutive goals, eventually losing out 8-4 to their Erhardt Conference opponents.
Without a fixture on Saturday night, the Stingrays had hoped to emulate the upsets by Edinburgh and Fife - who beat Sheffield 2-1 and Belfast 4-1 respectively 24 hours earlier - but quickly found themselves down by a goal.
It took just 29 seconds for the Rays - who had lost three consecutive Gardiner Conference fixtures in the run up to the game - to trail thanks to a goal from defenceman Jason Beckett.
They quickly rebounded though, leveling through Brit Tom Squires' third goal of the season before seizing the initiative with adding goals from Matty Davies and Sylvain Cloutier - who netted his 100th goal in the Elite League with Sam Towner bagging his first ever professional assist on the goal - to lead 3-1.
Cloutier's side lead 3-1 until 31.56 when Jonathan Weaver pulled a goal back on the powerplay before Bruce Graham equalised less than a minute later. The Panthers then lead with just 57 seconds left in the middle period, David Ling giving the home side a 4-3 lead having outshot the Rays 16-4.
Corey Neilson's side - who have recently lost NHLer Anthony Stewart, who has returned to North America - showed their class in the final period firing 25 shots on Ben Bowns in the Ray net for a total of 55, while extending their lead to 8-3 through Graham (PP), Brandon Benedict (PP), Matthew Myers and Pat Galivan.
Janis Ozolins added a last minute consolation fourth goal for the Stingrays past back up netminder Dan Green - who replaced Craig Kowalski with eight minutes to go - but the Panthers comfortably sealed two points thanks to seven goals in less than 30 minutes of play.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Losing steak hits seven as Rays shutout by Panthers
Nottingham Panthers 6-0 Hull Stingrays
The Hull Stingrays fell to their eighth defeat in eight games and heaviest defeat of the season at the National Ice Centre on Saturday night, losing 6-0 to the Nottingham Panthers in a dual Challenge Cup and league fixture.
Despite starting well, the Rays mustered just 17 shots on netminder Craig Kowalski in the 60 minutes and went down to goals from six different Panthers.
David Clarke opened the scoring in the first before goals from Gui Lepine - who also twice dropped the gloves with Rays enforcer Ryan Hand - Matt Francis, David Ling and Jason Beckett in the second. Bruce Graham ended the scoring at 6-0 a minute into the final stanza to seal comfortably to biggest winning margin in a closely fought start to the Elite League season.
The Hull Stingrays fell to their eighth defeat in eight games and heaviest defeat of the season at the National Ice Centre on Saturday night, losing 6-0 to the Nottingham Panthers in a dual Challenge Cup and league fixture.
Despite starting well, the Rays mustered just 17 shots on netminder Craig Kowalski in the 60 minutes and went down to goals from six different Panthers.
David Clarke opened the scoring in the first before goals from Gui Lepine - who also twice dropped the gloves with Rays enforcer Ryan Hand - Matt Francis, David Ling and Jason Beckett in the second. Bruce Graham ended the scoring at 6-0 a minute into the final stanza to seal comfortably to biggest winning margin in a closely fought start to the Elite League season.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Heartbreak for Stingrays as Panthers leave it late in season opener
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
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Panthers claw second tight win over Stingrays
Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Nottingham Panthers
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight once again found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against the Nottingham Panthers at the Hull Arena, losing out to a Marc Levers second period goal.
Beginning the match minus a full forward line - with Ryan Lake and Tristan Harper sidelined through injury and Derek Campbell serving the second of a three match suspension - the Stingrays began the game with Kingston Jets forward Andy Ward, 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain and defenceman Dan Scott spread throughout their top three forward lines.
Despite drafting in replacements to make up for the short bench, it was soon clear that it would be a lack of quality bodies and certainly not a lack of hard work that would cost the Rays in the long term.
The Panthers opened the scoring with a moment of sheer genius from forward Jordan Fox, who dipsy-doodled around defenceman Dmitri Rodin having picked up the puck from a Stingrays giveaway, neatly slotting home shorthanded past Christian Boucher after four minutes.
The visitors deservedly doubled that lead on 17 minutes, a routine powerplay one timer from the blueline by David Clarke finding twine as Nottingham's deep bench took a two goal lead into the second and certainly didn't look like letting up.
Stingrays forward Dominic Osman - having easily his best all around game in a Stingrays jersey yet, just days after coach Sylvain Cloutier publicly stated he and Campbell needed to step up offensively - then got the home side on the board, robbing the puck from Nottingham player-coach Corey Neilson before ghosting in on Craig Kowalski to delightfully fire home and halve the Panthers lead shorthanded.
Somehow heading into the third the home team found themselves still in a game that, based on offensive cohesion, they had no right to be in. Still, work rate and an all in attitude to defence saw them just one goal down, though Marc Levers extended the Panthers lead to two with an easy backdoor finish on a two-on-one which materialised as a result of another Rays turnover in their own end.
The home team continued to battle however, and a very well worked powerplay opportunity between Matty Davies, Osman and Cloutier, saw Davies all alone in front to net his second of the year on a feed from behind after 49 minutes to cut the deficit to one once again.
That would be as close as the Stingrays would come though as they tried to no avail to snatch a point in the final ten minutes that their workrate deserved but their performance in comparison to the Panthers did not.
Cloutier looked thoroughly displeased with his side after they went into the first intermission 2-0 down and, at that point, the odds for player changes next week looked short. Still, an improved second and third period and yet another tight result against a top four side with three players missing will be encouraging to him. Still, critics will say that merely papers over the cracks which - despite the work rate - were once again visible tonight.
The Rays boss takes his team to Coventry tomorrow night in an effective dead rubber in Challenge Cup Group B with qualification for both sides unlikely.
Perhaps crucially, after tomorrow nights game the Rays play Scottish quartet Edinburgh, Dundee, Braehead and Fife. Whether he makes changes before these games in order to create momentum or waits to see what his team can produce in fixtures against their so called bottom five mini-league remains to be see.
Changes do seem more likely than not at present - though only if Cloutier can find the right player or players available, as he did last year, miraculously bringing in veteran Drew Bannister for young Latvian Kriss Grundmanis.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight once again found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against the Nottingham Panthers at the Hull Arena, losing out to a Marc Levers second period goal.
Beginning the match minus a full forward line - with Ryan Lake and Tristan Harper sidelined through injury and Derek Campbell serving the second of a three match suspension - the Stingrays began the game with Kingston Jets forward Andy Ward, 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain and defenceman Dan Scott spread throughout their top three forward lines.
Despite drafting in replacements to make up for the short bench, it was soon clear that it would be a lack of quality bodies and certainly not a lack of hard work that would cost the Rays in the long term.
The Panthers opened the scoring with a moment of sheer genius from forward Jordan Fox, who dipsy-doodled around defenceman Dmitri Rodin having picked up the puck from a Stingrays giveaway, neatly slotting home shorthanded past Christian Boucher after four minutes.
The visitors deservedly doubled that lead on 17 minutes, a routine powerplay one timer from the blueline by David Clarke finding twine as Nottingham's deep bench took a two goal lead into the second and certainly didn't look like letting up.
Stingrays forward Dominic Osman - having easily his best all around game in a Stingrays jersey yet, just days after coach Sylvain Cloutier publicly stated he and Campbell needed to step up offensively - then got the home side on the board, robbing the puck from Nottingham player-coach Corey Neilson before ghosting in on Craig Kowalski to delightfully fire home and halve the Panthers lead shorthanded.
Somehow heading into the third the home team found themselves still in a game that, based on offensive cohesion, they had no right to be in. Still, work rate and an all in attitude to defence saw them just one goal down, though Marc Levers extended the Panthers lead to two with an easy backdoor finish on a two-on-one which materialised as a result of another Rays turnover in their own end.
The home team continued to battle however, and a very well worked powerplay opportunity between Matty Davies, Osman and Cloutier, saw Davies all alone in front to net his second of the year on a feed from behind after 49 minutes to cut the deficit to one once again.
That would be as close as the Stingrays would come though as they tried to no avail to snatch a point in the final ten minutes that their workrate deserved but their performance in comparison to the Panthers did not.
Cloutier looked thoroughly displeased with his side after they went into the first intermission 2-0 down and, at that point, the odds for player changes next week looked short. Still, an improved second and third period and yet another tight result against a top four side with three players missing will be encouraging to him. Still, critics will say that merely papers over the cracks which - despite the work rate - were once again visible tonight.
The Rays boss takes his team to Coventry tomorrow night in an effective dead rubber in Challenge Cup Group B with qualification for both sides unlikely.
Perhaps crucially, after tomorrow nights game the Rays play Scottish quartet Edinburgh, Dundee, Braehead and Fife. Whether he makes changes before these games in order to create momentum or waits to see what his team can produce in fixtures against their so called bottom five mini-league remains to be see.
Changes do seem more likely than not at present - though only if Cloutier can find the right player or players available, as he did last year, miraculously bringing in veteran Drew Bannister for young Latvian Kriss Grundmanis.
Rays Rating
6
FBB Three Stars
1 - Dominic Osman (1+1)
2 - Sam McCluskey (0+0)
3 - Christian Boucher (29 saves)
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Stingrays bounce back in tight loss
Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Nottingham Panthers
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back from a moral sapping 6-0 defeat in Sheffield with a confidence inspiring tight 3-2 loss to the Nottingham Panthers in Challenge Cup Group B.
Desperate for a performance after a season changing 60 minutes in Sheffield, the Stingrays were narrowly outshot 14-13 in a first period that saw Derek Campbell ejected with a 5 plus game for a check from behind.
The scoresheet kicked into life in the second period, Frantisek Bakrlik netting the Rays 12th powerplay goal of the season before Matt Francis levelled with a shorthanded goal for the visitors.
The Rays once again lept into the lead 46 seconds into the third, defenceman Dmitri Rodin bagging his third goal in four games and the home sides second man advantage marker of the game.
Again, the Panthers bounced back however, Scott Champagne leveling four-on-four before a slapshot from player-coach Corey Neilson proved the difference in a tight 3-2 win for his side.
After the hysterical outcry following the thrashing in Sheffield, it was a much improved performance from the Stingrays who proved they can play with anyone on any given night, as the peppered Craig Kowalski in the Nottingham net with 35 shots, ultimately falling agonisingly short in an entertaining but even encounter.
This defeat appears to have effectively ended any slim hopes of the Rays qualifying from the Challenge Cup group of death which contains Nottingham, Sheffield, Cardiff and Coventry - all league contenders in their own right. Though this may not necessarily be a bad thing, allowing the club to focus on league play while utilising the remaining five fixtures as practice, somewhat free of the pressure of competitive cup action..
Next weekend Sylvain Cloutier's return to league action as they on high flying league favourites Belfast at the Hull Arena before travelling to Dundee to face Dan Ceman's Stars - who remain winless this term.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back from a moral sapping 6-0 defeat in Sheffield with a confidence inspiring tight 3-2 loss to the Nottingham Panthers in Challenge Cup Group B.
Desperate for a performance after a season changing 60 minutes in Sheffield, the Stingrays were narrowly outshot 14-13 in a first period that saw Derek Campbell ejected with a 5 plus game for a check from behind.
The scoresheet kicked into life in the second period, Frantisek Bakrlik netting the Rays 12th powerplay goal of the season before Matt Francis levelled with a shorthanded goal for the visitors.
The Rays once again lept into the lead 46 seconds into the third, defenceman Dmitri Rodin bagging his third goal in four games and the home sides second man advantage marker of the game.
Again, the Panthers bounced back however, Scott Champagne leveling four-on-four before a slapshot from player-coach Corey Neilson proved the difference in a tight 3-2 win for his side.
After the hysterical outcry following the thrashing in Sheffield, it was a much improved performance from the Stingrays who proved they can play with anyone on any given night, as the peppered Craig Kowalski in the Nottingham net with 35 shots, ultimately falling agonisingly short in an entertaining but even encounter.
This defeat appears to have effectively ended any slim hopes of the Rays qualifying from the Challenge Cup group of death which contains Nottingham, Sheffield, Cardiff and Coventry - all league contenders in their own right. Though this may not necessarily be a bad thing, allowing the club to focus on league play while utilising the remaining five fixtures as practice, somewhat free of the pressure of competitive cup action..
Next weekend Sylvain Cloutier's return to league action as they on high flying league favourites Belfast at the Hull Arena before travelling to Dundee to face Dan Ceman's Stars - who remain winless this term.
FBB Three Stars
1 - Christian Boucher (36 saves)
2 - Dominic Osman (0+0)
3 - Sylvain Cloutier (0+0)
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