Excel Hull Stingrays 3-4 Belfast Giants After OT
The Stingrays gained their fifth point in 10 against a Belfast Giants side that currently sit in fourth place in the Elite League just six points behind leaders the Sheffield Steelers.
Goals from George Awada and Tyler Howells gave the Giants a deserved first period lead before a mini revival from the Stingrays against the flow of play saw Konstantin Kalmikov and Lee Mitchell score two goals in 42 seconds.
Much to the home fans surprise the Stingrays, who were under the cosh for much of the game, took the lead in the 45th minute as the Rays capitalised on a five on three powerplay with Steve Slonina slotting the puck home.
The Stingrays had further chances to take the lead, most notably from Konstantin Kalmikov and a Paul Moran deflected shot, before the expected attacking surge from the Giants commenced with numerous Mike Burgoyne coast to coast rushes.
The Giants domination of the game payed off with less than four minutes remaining as George Awada scored his second of the game before the Stingrays held on for overtime.
The Giants finally took a deserved two points after nearly three minutes of four on four overtime as Paul Deniset scored unassisted handing them a much needed two points ahead of crucial game against league leaders the Sheffield Steelers.
The Stingrays gained a much needed point to haul back one of the two points lost on Saturday against the Basingstoke Bison and will be hoping for a much improved 2009.
Best Moment- Two goals in 42 seconds for the Stingrays, levelling the scores. Konstantin Kalmikov going coast to coast, beating five Belfast players only to be denied by Lyle.
Worst Moment- Belfast's late game tying and overtime winning goals which turned the scores from 3-2 to 3-4 in the Giants favour with little more than four minutes remaining.
F Block MOM- Stingrays- Konstantin Kalmikov (1+2), Curtis Cruickshank (48 shots/4 goals allowed), Belfast- George Awada (2+0)
Stingrays Verdict- (6/10)- The Stingrays played a familiar away game tactic against the Giants and their hard work and dedication to the system saw them rewarded with a point. Without Konstantin Kalmikov, who set up two and scored a goal himself, and Curtis Cruickshank, who was as solid as he has been all year, the Stingrays would have probably been dead and buried in this game. James Cooke had one of his best games for the Rays whilst non stop work ethic from the whole team, but in particular Steve Slonina, Jeff Glowa and Lee Esders, gave the Stingrays a huge chance for a victory. Despite by not matching the Giants on skill, the work rate was there for a Stingrays side that still has just three defenceman, and Steve Slonina covering on defence. With more of these performances with a full strength side in 2009, the Stingrays might, just might, given a lot of hard work and dedication, improve on their Elite League best 9th place come the end of the season.
Strachan's Verdict- "We battled hard for the whole game and as a coach that is all I can ask. We got behind but we didn’t panic, we showed great composure to come back. I am happy with the point, make no mistake Belfast are a good hockey team."
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Saturday 27th December: Stingrays lose to fellow playoff contenders
Basingstoke Bison 5-4 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays lost to fellow playoff contenders the Basingstoke Bison on Saturday night, their second loss in three games in Basingstoke this season.
Despite goals from Jamie Thompson and Lee Mitchell the Bison came out strong firing five goals past Curtis Cruickshank before the end of the second period.
The Rays came out fighting in the third as a second goal from Jamie Thompson and a fourth of the season from Steve Slonina saw a tight end to the game. The Bison eventually held on to the 5-4 victory, their fifth regular time win of the season.
The scoreline gave the Bison a clear two point lead ahead of the Stingrays who were sent to the bottom of the league in the loss.
SOG: 33-30
PIM: 24-12
MOM: Bison- Brent Hughes, Stingrays- Lee Mitchell
The Excel Hull Stingrays lost to fellow playoff contenders the Basingstoke Bison on Saturday night, their second loss in three games in Basingstoke this season.
Despite goals from Jamie Thompson and Lee Mitchell the Bison came out strong firing five goals past Curtis Cruickshank before the end of the second period.
The Rays came out fighting in the third as a second goal from Jamie Thompson and a fourth of the season from Steve Slonina saw a tight end to the game. The Bison eventually held on to the 5-4 victory, their fifth regular time win of the season.
The scoreline gave the Bison a clear two point lead ahead of the Stingrays who were sent to the bottom of the league in the loss.
SOG: 33-30
PIM: 24-12
MOM: Bison- Brent Hughes, Stingrays- Lee Mitchell
Friday, 26 December 2008
27th/28th Weekend Preview
V
Saturday 27th December: Basingstoke Bison v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Basingstoke Arena, F/O 6.30pmSunday 28th December: Excel Hull Stingrays v Belfast Giants @ Hull Arena, F/O 6pm
Form
Stingrays- L L L L L
Basingstoke- W L L L L
Belfast- W L W W W
Last 3 Meetings
v Basingstoke
19/10/08 4-2 W H
06/12/08 1-5 W A
07/12/08 6-8 L H
v Belfast
01/11/08 6-3 W A
30/11/08 5-4 W H
18/12/08 2-8 L A
Player Watch
Stingrays- Matt Reynolds (33GP 16+21)
Basingstoke- Brent Hughes (34GP 13+28)
Belfast- Colin Shields (32GP 17+23)
Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn ligament), Slava Koulikov (leg), Stuart Kerr (knee), Richie Thornton (unavailable)
Basingstoke- Full Strength
Belfast- Andrew Martin (heel)
Other news
- Basingstoke's depleted numbers have recently been bolstered by the signings of Czech defenceman Robert Pospisil and Canadian centre Mike Olynyk.
- There will be more attention than normal payed to the Stingrays fixture against Belfast this weekend, and not only because the Stingrays have recorded two wins out of three against the Northern Irish side. Following Curtis Cruickshank's concussion, after a collision with Belfast player/coach Steve Thornton, Rick Strachan branded Thornton the "most hated guy in the league". Belfast GM replied by saying Strachan's comments were "comical" and that the game should be "an interesting one".
- Jeff Glowa broke his Elite League goal scoring best with two goals to go with two assists in the Stingrays high scoring loss to Coventry. Glowa is currently sixth in the league in goals and has 35 points in 33 games for the Rays this season as well as 130 points in his Stingrays Elite League career.
Predictions
Basingstoke 3-4 Stingrays
Stingrays 2-3 Belfast
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from F Block Blog! After a brief day off we will be back with a preview of this weekends Stingrays fixtures against Basingstoke and Belfast and yet more news from a key period in the Stingrays season.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Sunday 21st December: Rays lose by five in Newcastle
Newcastle Vipers 6-1 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays conceeded more than six goals for the second game in a row as they continued their winless streak in Newcastle with a 6-1 loss.
The Excel Hull Stingrays conceeded more than six goals for the second game in a row as they continued their winless streak in Newcastle with a 6-1 loss.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Saturday 20th December: Stingrays hit seven in loss to Blaze
Excel Hull Stingrays 7-9 Coventry Blaze
The Excel Hull Stingrays scored seven goals against reigning Elite League Champions, the Coventry Blaze, but still managed to turn out on the losing side in a 9-7 loss at the Hull Arena.
Without defencemen Stuart Kerr, Troy Neumeier, Richie Thornton and forward Slava Koulikov the Stingrays took the lead through Jeff Glowa's 19th of the season, a career best in the Elite League, before Coventry quickly struck back just over a minute later through Adam Calder. Glowa scored a rare Stingrays shorthanded goal on 15 minutes before Coventry once again equalised before Adam Calder and the Stingrays Lee Mitchell dropped the gloves following a elbow from Calder during the following faceoff. The Blaze went on to take the lead for the first time through Sylvain Deschatelets, who would go on to record five Coventry goals.
After facing 19 shots in the first period Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank, still suffering from a concussion suffered in Thursdays loss in Belfast, was replaced by 19 year old backup netminder Andrew Jazsczyk, who went on to face 30 shots.
Jazsczyk immediately faced a baptism of fire as the Blaze extended their lead to 6-2 with some slack defence allowing Deschatelets to score his second and third before Dan Carlson scored Coventry's sixth. With the game apparently slipping away from the Stingrays goals from Pavel Gomenyuk and Matt Reynolds seemed to have slow the tide, only for that man Deschatelets score his fourth and fifth of the game to all but end the game as a contest.
That was until the goal of the game from Lee Esders and a Konstantin Kalmikov marker gave the Stingrays hope of a surprise victory. Indeed, straight from the faceoff of scoring his third of the season, Lee Esders headed straight back towards Blaze netminder JF Perras and hit the pipework. The Stingrays pressure continued for the remainder of the game before a smart finish from Blaze defenceman Corey LeClair extended the Blaze lead to three goals once again. Jamie Thompson finally ended the goalscoring marathon with a backhanded effort which set a Stingrays record for highest number of goals scored in a loss at seven and sent fans home happy despite the loss.
Best Moment- Jamie Thompson scoring his sixth of the season to confirm that the Stingrays had indeed just scored seven against a full strength Coventry Blaze with a backup and just two/three regular defencemen. Andrew Jaszcyzk's third period save to deny Deschatelets and to set the foundations for a confident third period performance.
Worst Moment- Three goals in four shots for Coventry at the beggining of the second period
F Block MOM- Stingrays- Steve Slonina (0+2), Coventry- Sylvain Deschatelets (5+0)
Stingrays verdict- (7/10)- With just two regular defencemen and a backup netminder the Stingrays somehow managed to score seven goals, a season high, and put in one of the better offensive displays against the Elite Leagues second best defence. On the flip side with a backup netminder in goal they gave the Blaze far too much respect at the back and allowed a fair number of backdoor tap ins. That said it was a good performance from near enough the whole squad and certainly one of the most entertaining games the fans will see all season. Slonina once again stood out on defence, Kalmikov's skill shone through as did Lee Esders and Jeff Glowa's pure determination.
Strachan's verdict: "I am sure the fans enjoyed the game but it was a coach’s nightmare. It was like old fashioned hockey in this country. I can’t criticise the guys. Offensively we were great but when you have only two defenceman and a back-up goalie, it is always going to be difficult"
The Excel Hull Stingrays scored seven goals against reigning Elite League Champions, the Coventry Blaze, but still managed to turn out on the losing side in a 9-7 loss at the Hull Arena.
Without defencemen Stuart Kerr, Troy Neumeier, Richie Thornton and forward Slava Koulikov the Stingrays took the lead through Jeff Glowa's 19th of the season, a career best in the Elite League, before Coventry quickly struck back just over a minute later through Adam Calder. Glowa scored a rare Stingrays shorthanded goal on 15 minutes before Coventry once again equalised before Adam Calder and the Stingrays Lee Mitchell dropped the gloves following a elbow from Calder during the following faceoff. The Blaze went on to take the lead for the first time through Sylvain Deschatelets, who would go on to record five Coventry goals.
After facing 19 shots in the first period Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank, still suffering from a concussion suffered in Thursdays loss in Belfast, was replaced by 19 year old backup netminder Andrew Jazsczyk, who went on to face 30 shots.
Jazsczyk immediately faced a baptism of fire as the Blaze extended their lead to 6-2 with some slack defence allowing Deschatelets to score his second and third before Dan Carlson scored Coventry's sixth. With the game apparently slipping away from the Stingrays goals from Pavel Gomenyuk and Matt Reynolds seemed to have slow the tide, only for that man Deschatelets score his fourth and fifth of the game to all but end the game as a contest.
That was until the goal of the game from Lee Esders and a Konstantin Kalmikov marker gave the Stingrays hope of a surprise victory. Indeed, straight from the faceoff of scoring his third of the season, Lee Esders headed straight back towards Blaze netminder JF Perras and hit the pipework. The Stingrays pressure continued for the remainder of the game before a smart finish from Blaze defenceman Corey LeClair extended the Blaze lead to three goals once again. Jamie Thompson finally ended the goalscoring marathon with a backhanded effort which set a Stingrays record for highest number of goals scored in a loss at seven and sent fans home happy despite the loss.
Best Moment- Jamie Thompson scoring his sixth of the season to confirm that the Stingrays had indeed just scored seven against a full strength Coventry Blaze with a backup and just two/three regular defencemen. Andrew Jaszcyzk's third period save to deny Deschatelets and to set the foundations for a confident third period performance.
Worst Moment- Three goals in four shots for Coventry at the beggining of the second period
F Block MOM- Stingrays- Steve Slonina (0+2), Coventry- Sylvain Deschatelets (5+0)
Stingrays verdict- (7/10)- With just two regular defencemen and a backup netminder the Stingrays somehow managed to score seven goals, a season high, and put in one of the better offensive displays against the Elite Leagues second best defence. On the flip side with a backup netminder in goal they gave the Blaze far too much respect at the back and allowed a fair number of backdoor tap ins. That said it was a good performance from near enough the whole squad and certainly one of the most entertaining games the fans will see all season. Slonina once again stood out on defence, Kalmikov's skill shone through as did Lee Esders and Jeff Glowa's pure determination.
Strachan's verdict: "I am sure the fans enjoyed the game but it was a coach’s nightmare. It was like old fashioned hockey in this country. I can’t criticise the guys. Offensively we were great but when you have only two defenceman and a back-up goalie, it is always going to be difficult"
20th/21st December Preview
v
Saturday 20th December- Excel Hull Stingrays v Coventry Blaze @ Hull Arena, F/O 5.30pmSunday 21st December- Newcastle Vipers v Excel Hull Stingrays @ Metro Radio Arena, F/O 6pm
Form
Stingrays- L W L L L
Coventry- L W W W W
Newcastle- L W L W L
Last 3 Meetings
v Coventry
20/09/08 0-2 L H
12/10/08 3-7 L H
12/11/08 1-6 L A
v Newcastle
29/12/07 2-4 L A
09/03/08 1-3 L A
25/10/08 4-3 PSW H
Players to watch
Stingrays- Aaron Wilson (21GP 1+6)- Has recorded five points in six games from defence including his first goal for the club against Edinburgh.
Coventry- Dan Carlson (28GP 13+30)- Currently has 158 assists in three seasons with the Blaze and has scored three goals and seven assists in his last four games.
Newcastle- Jeff Hutchins (9GP 9+5)- Has recorded a goal a game and over a point a game since moving from Edinburgh where he scored three goals and five assists in six games.
Absentees
Stingrays- Troy Neumeier (torn knee ligament), Stuart Kerr (knee), Slava Koulikov (doubtful; leg), Curtis Cruickshank (doubtful; concussion), Richie Thornton (doubtful; illness)
Newcastle- Burt Henderson (broken wrist)
Coventry- Mattias Soderstrom (groin)
Other stuff
- The Stingrays have yet to win at the Metro Radio Arena in their three year Elite League stay. The only other rink the Rays have failed to win in is the Sheffield Arena.
- Curtis Cruickshank will ice during warm up against Coventry to assess whether he will ice or not after a collision with Belfast player/coach Steve Thornton left him with a concussion.
- Jeff Glowa will officially ice as the Stingrays captain for the second time this season. Glowa was previously the Stingrays captain in 05/06 in the EPL as well as last season in the Elite League, Lee Mitchell took the alternate captaincy in place of Glowa.
- The Stingrays loss against Edinburgh last weekend left them three points short of an eigth placed playoff spot.
- The Stingrays lost to the Belfast Giants for the first time this season. Curtis Cruickshank and Slava Koulikov went off with injuries during the first period with the scores at 0-0 before Belfast took the game 8-2 with Stingrays back up Andrew Jazsczyk facing 37 shots.
Predicitions
Stingrays 2-5 Coventry
Newcastle 4-3 Stingrays
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Glowa announced as new captain.
The Excel Hull Stingrays top point and goalscorer, Jeff Glowa, has been promoted to permanent captain of the team, replacing injured defenceman Troy Neumeier.
Glowa, who has 17 goals and 13 assists in 30 games for the club, re-assumes his captaining duties after holding the post last season and will move into his new role ahead of tonight's match up against the Belfast Giants, a team the Stingrays have beaten twice in two games this season.
The move signals the very end of Troy Neumeiers season after speculation had suggested that the torn knee ligament injury was not season ending, despite all the signals indicating that it was. He was due to receive results from an MRI scan on his abductor knee ligament this week and the promotion of Glowa suggests that Neumeier will be out for the remainder of the season.
The move sees Glowa move from assistant captain to his old role of team captain, with 21 year old Scottish forward Lee Mitchell named as Glowa's replacement as alternate captain.
Meanwhile 38 year old Neumeier will travel home for a month to visit family over the Christmas period before returning to help Rick Strachan with his coaching duties in January.
Glowa, who has 17 goals and 13 assists in 30 games for the club, re-assumes his captaining duties after holding the post last season and will move into his new role ahead of tonight's match up against the Belfast Giants, a team the Stingrays have beaten twice in two games this season.
The move signals the very end of Troy Neumeiers season after speculation had suggested that the torn knee ligament injury was not season ending, despite all the signals indicating that it was. He was due to receive results from an MRI scan on his abductor knee ligament this week and the promotion of Glowa suggests that Neumeier will be out for the remainder of the season.
The move sees Glowa move from assistant captain to his old role of team captain, with 21 year old Scottish forward Lee Mitchell named as Glowa's replacement as alternate captain.
Meanwhile 38 year old Neumeier will travel home for a month to visit family over the Christmas period before returning to help Rick Strachan with his coaching duties in January.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Sunday 14th December: Stingrays unlucky to go down in Scotland
Edinburgh Capitals 3-2 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays lost their third game in a row against the Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield tonight. Powerplay goals from Jamie Thompson and Aaron Wilson left the scores level before Martin Cingel scored the game winning goal with less than four minutes left on the clock.
Despite the loss, which left the Stingrays three points behind the Caps in ninth place, the Stingrays were with just three regular defenceman and could count themselves very unlucky after hitting the post twice and being the better side for the majority of the game.
SOG: 27-35
PIM: 16-10
The Excel Hull Stingrays lost their third game in a row against the Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield tonight. Powerplay goals from Jamie Thompson and Aaron Wilson left the scores level before Martin Cingel scored the game winning goal with less than four minutes left on the clock.
Despite the loss, which left the Stingrays three points behind the Caps in ninth place, the Stingrays were with just three regular defenceman and could count themselves very unlucky after hitting the post twice and being the better side for the majority of the game.
SOG: 27-35
PIM: 16-10
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Thornton makes it three regular defencemen for Sunday.
The Excel Hull Stingrays have bolstered their defensive corps with the signing of former player Richie Thornton, who lasted played for the side in their one and only season in the EPL in 05/06.
Thornton, 26, has signed a short term deal with the club whilst injuries to defencemen Troy Neumeier, Stuart Kerr and Paul Moran subside. However with the frequency of injuries the Stingrays suffer, as well as the quality of Thornton, it may be that he signs on for the rest of the season.
Since he left the Stingrays in summer 2006, after an EPL season where he recorded 12 points in 39 games, Thornton has mainly iced for his hometown Newcastle Vipers in the Elite League and with limited ice time has recorded seven points in 92 games in the North East. This season Thornton has provided similar injury cover to the Basingstoke Bison playing in just two games for the side but the Stingrays will be hoping he signs on for the rest of the season considering how mny injuries the team has suffered this season, particularly on defence.
Coach Rick Strachan was naturally happy to sign someone of Thornton's quality at such short notice, ahead of a game against fellow playoff contenders Edinburgh Capitals:
Thornton, 26, has signed a short term deal with the club whilst injuries to defencemen Troy Neumeier, Stuart Kerr and Paul Moran subside. However with the frequency of injuries the Stingrays suffer, as well as the quality of Thornton, it may be that he signs on for the rest of the season.
Since he left the Stingrays in summer 2006, after an EPL season where he recorded 12 points in 39 games, Thornton has mainly iced for his hometown Newcastle Vipers in the Elite League and with limited ice time has recorded seven points in 92 games in the North East. This season Thornton has provided similar injury cover to the Basingstoke Bison playing in just two games for the side but the Stingrays will be hoping he signs on for the rest of the season considering how mny injuries the team has suffered this season, particularly on defence.
Coach Rick Strachan was naturally happy to sign someone of Thornton's quality at such short notice, ahead of a game against fellow playoff contenders Edinburgh Capitals:
"He has played here before, he is steady, he moves the puck well and he reads the game well. He knows what to expect and never gets himself into trouble. Richie will do a great job for us."
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