To be updated as/when/if changes are made...
IN
F Sylvain Cloutier (signed from CHL Corpus Christi Ice Rays, 2 year contract, 09/04/09)
F Jeff Glowa (re-signed, 17/04/09)
F Lee Esders (re-signed, 22/04/09)
F Curtis Huppe (signed from CHL Corpus Christi Ice Rays, 2 year contract, 29/04/09)
G Tommy Sandahl (signed from SWE2 Troja-Ljungby, 06/05/09)
F Konstantin Kalmikov (re-signed, 08/05/09)
F Lee Mitchell (re-signed, 13/05/09)
D Craig Mitchell (signed from EIHL Edinburgh Capitals, 13/05/09)
D Adam Knight (signed from CHL New Mexico Scorpions, 20/05/09)
D Pavel Gomenyuk (re-signed, 27/05/09)
F Shaun Thompson (signed from EIHL Basingstoke Bison, 29/05/09)
D James Hutchinson (signed from EPL Peterborough Phantoms, 03/06/09)
G Andrew Jaszcyzk (re-signed, 10/06/09)
F Matty Davies (signed from EPL Swindon Wildcats, 17/06/09)
D Ryan Jorde (signed from IHL Flint Generals, 01/07/09)
F Slava Koulikov (re-signed, 08/07/09)
D Stephen Burns (signed from CHL Rio Grande Killer Bees, 2 year contract, 15/07/09)
F Matt Reynolds (re-signed, 22/07/09)
D James Sanford (signed from HOL HYS Den Haag, 30/09/09)
OUT
D Troy Neumeier (retired, 26/05/09)
G Curtis Cruickshank (not returning, 06/05/09)
F Jason Kostadine (signed with IHL Port Huron Ice Hawks, 11/06/09)
D Antti Turunen (signed with FIN2 HeKi, 17/06/09)
D Aaron Wilson (signed with HOL Heerenveen Flyers , 14/07/09)
D Stuart Kerr (signed with CHL Odessa Jackalopes, 15/07/09)
F Jamie Thompson (not returning, 22/07/09)
D/F Steve Slonina (signed with ECHL Stockton Thunder, 05/10/09)
D Paul Moran (not returning)
F James Cooke (not returning)
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Rays beat Panthers to lift P&O Channel Cup
Excel Hull Stingrays 3-2 Nottingham Panthers
A Konstantin Kalmikov double helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to just their second ever piece of silverware as they produced a shock 3-2 win over the Nottingham Panthers in the P&O Channel Cup.After the Panthers comprehensive 11-3 victory over Tilburg, a team the Rays beat just 4-3 on Saturday, the Panthers were heavy favourites to win this game, despite it being just their second pre-season game on the year.
A Konstantin Kalmikov backhanded strike, with the Panthers on the man advantage, saw the Rays take a shock lead after just seven minutes, with Nottingham falling behind early for the second consecutive game of the P&O Channel Cup.
They struck back quickly however, thanks to man of the moment Jade Galbraith, who levelled on the powerplay, after a Jeff Glowa roughing penalty, the first of what would turn out to be many heated moments in the match.
Glowa was quickly back in the rough stuff following his costly penalty, this time Nottingham player/assistant coach Bruce Richardson took offence to a trip from the evergreen Stingrays forward and had a few choice words with the Calgary native. The ensuing rough stuff saw all ten players on the ice come together, with Stingray Ryan Jorde and Panther Dominic D'Armour seperating from the group to drop the gloves.
After a flurry of early punches from both sides, D'Armour gained the upper hand as Jorde's shirt was lifted over the Rays defenceman's head, with the Panthers man the eventual victor in a heavyweight bout thanks, in partm, to some bad luck on Jorde's side.
More rough stuff followed with two seconds of the final period remaining, as young British defenceman Craig Mitchell further angered Richardson by a check which sent the experienced Canadian into the Rays goalpost. Things eventually calmed down enough for the first period to end all square at one after an intense first twenty minutes.
The second period saw more of the same, with both sides continuing to chip away whilst playing some fast-paced hockey and with both teams seemingly evenly matched on the ice.
The Panthers had a goal disallowed after 37 minutes as referee Marco Coenen gave a goal that was later ruled by the linesmen to have hit the post and come out, before they finally showed their apparent offensive advantage as they took the lead four minutes into the third period. GB international David Clarke the recipient of a Richardson pass after Craig Mitchell had unluckily trapped his stick between the legs of that man Richardson.
The turning point in the game followed in the 46th minute as the Panthers, who began the game with nine imports after Kevin Bergin injured an ankle against Tilburg, lost key forward Cameron Mann for spearing (5+Game) following a scuffle at the Panthers bench. The roughing at the bench, instigated by Richardson and a number of the Stingrays, also saw Jade Galbraith and Adam Knight receive fighting penalties for a fight which, apparently, very few people actually saw.
Nevertheless, that rough stuff gave the Rays a five minute powerplay, which, although they did not convert on, tired the Panthers already fatigued legs. Galbraith returned after his penalty only to see the referees arm aloft again for a penalty against him, this time for delay of game.
The Rays would not, and did not, fail to convert this time, as a visibly relieved Curtis Huppe, who had looked thoroughly frustrated by his lack of goals in pre-season, ended his goalscoring drought (if you can call two and a bit games a drought) by scrambling home his first goal for the Stingrays on the powerplay.
With the tide, and atmosphere, well and truly on the Stingrays side, and with the Panthers tiring, they pushed forward for the winner.
That winner, once again, came from the stick of Ukrainian Kalmikov, who claimed his third goal in two games, sending the Hull Arena into a frenzy, and giving the Stingrays an ideal start to the season. Three wins in three and their first trophy since their two-legged Yorkshire Cup victory over the Sheffield Steelers in 06/07, Hull Arena rocked for the first time in years.
Stingray Stats
Kalmikov 2+0, Huppe 1+0, Glowa 0+2, Reynolds and Gomenyuk 0+1.
Sandahl: 33 shots/2 goals
Best Parts
The atmosphere in the Hull Arena back to its best, all of the Rays putting their bodies on the line in a pre-season game, the Stingrays players celebrating as though it really meant as much to them as it did to fans, Konstantin Kalmikov's shorthanded goal, relief as Curtis Huppe finally got off the mark.
Worst Parts
That this game was just a pre-season fixture and not the beginning of the league campaign.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Konstantin Kalmikov (2+0) Once again the former Panther came up trumps against his former side, this time chipping in with two goals and a worthy man of the match performance. The Ukrainian has very rarely failed to score against his former club and has become one of the Stingrays key players after being plucked from something resembling obscurity by former coach Strachan after spells in the SPHL and Italy. H is now well and truly back on the radar, with all of the key skills needed to be one of the Elite Leagues top players, he exhibited those skills perfectly in this game and was again not afraid to get stuck in the corners.
Nottingham: Jade Galbraith (1+0) After being criticized for his work ethic and fitness during last season, Galbraith has returned a new man. Having visibly lost weight, he has begun this season attempting to set right a reputation that had him as one of the fans least favourite Panthers last season, despite a 74 point return. With 3 goals and 3 assists in the P&O Channel Cup, both he, and the Panthers fan base, will be hoping he continues in the same vein.
Stingrays Verdict: 8/10
Only the importance of this game, which is fairly low in the grand scheme of things (despite what the Rays celebrations and aftermath may indicate) prevented this game from being higher rated on the Stingrays performance rater.
Sylvain Cloutier has indicated that there were things that the wasn't pleased with, but from a fans point of view, it couldn't have been much better. Sure, Konstantin Kalmikov aside, the Rays may have not been the continued offensive threat that they would have liked, but then, neither were the Panthers, who, on paper, have a roster with far more offensive talent.
In fact, one of the biggest changes in the Rays game is where they defend from. Whilst many predicted that the post-Strachan era would see the Rays offence turn into a comparatively gung-ho attack, what was missed out on was how they would defend. A Strachan team may have sat back and absorbed the pressure against the Panthers, a Cloutier side defends a little higher and tells the opposing side they will have to go through them to score goals.
Without wanting to jinx him, behind the defence, Tommy Sandahl is looking like quite a nice piece of business by Cloutier. He told prohockeynews.com, last week, that "you won't see [him making] highlight reel saves", well, on the evidence so far, that will be fine by the Stingrays fan base, who have taken to the Swede in a similar fashion to how they took the Rays last Swedish netminder, Anders Hogberg.
In front of him, Craig Mitchell, wearing the #13 shirt, resembles another former British defenceman for the Stingrays that also wore that number at the young end of his career, whilst Ryan Jorde stepped up against the Panthers Dominic D'Armour in a good bout, and may have tested his fellow former AHL blueliner a bit more had his shirt not looped over his head.
Forwards Matt Reynolds, Sylvain Cloutier and Curtis Huppe seemed to be the Rays spark plugs, notching up the intensity on plenty of occasions, with the rest of the squad following. Reynolds particularly looked like a man possessed at times and a completely different type of player to last season, whilst Cloutier's continued tussle with fellow player-coach Corey Neilson was another key point and highlight of the match.
Come the final horn, with the atmosphere returning to the levels that had previously filled the Hull Arena, the players emotions and celebrations showed that they will win and lose as a team, and that they care about (and celebrate) the wins as much as the fans that pay their wages.
Ultimately, that is all the Hull faithful have been crying out for the past few years and, if the team continue in the same fashion as they did in this thrilling second home game of the season, they will become one of, if not the, most popular side in the 20 year history of hockey in Hull. They certainly have the potential to pan out that way.
Cloutier's Comments
A Konstantin Kalmikov double helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to just their second ever piece of silverware as they produced a shock 3-2 win over the Nottingham Panthers in the P&O Channel Cup.After the Panthers comprehensive 11-3 victory over Tilburg, a team the Rays beat just 4-3 on Saturday, the Panthers were heavy favourites to win this game, despite it being just their second pre-season game on the year.
A Konstantin Kalmikov backhanded strike, with the Panthers on the man advantage, saw the Rays take a shock lead after just seven minutes, with Nottingham falling behind early for the second consecutive game of the P&O Channel Cup.
They struck back quickly however, thanks to man of the moment Jade Galbraith, who levelled on the powerplay, after a Jeff Glowa roughing penalty, the first of what would turn out to be many heated moments in the match.
Glowa was quickly back in the rough stuff following his costly penalty, this time Nottingham player/assistant coach Bruce Richardson took offence to a trip from the evergreen Stingrays forward and had a few choice words with the Calgary native. The ensuing rough stuff saw all ten players on the ice come together, with Stingray Ryan Jorde and Panther Dominic D'Armour seperating from the group to drop the gloves.
After a flurry of early punches from both sides, D'Armour gained the upper hand as Jorde's shirt was lifted over the Rays defenceman's head, with the Panthers man the eventual victor in a heavyweight bout thanks, in partm, to some bad luck on Jorde's side.
More rough stuff followed with two seconds of the final period remaining, as young British defenceman Craig Mitchell further angered Richardson by a check which sent the experienced Canadian into the Rays goalpost. Things eventually calmed down enough for the first period to end all square at one after an intense first twenty minutes.
The second period saw more of the same, with both sides continuing to chip away whilst playing some fast-paced hockey and with both teams seemingly evenly matched on the ice.
The Panthers had a goal disallowed after 37 minutes as referee Marco Coenen gave a goal that was later ruled by the linesmen to have hit the post and come out, before they finally showed their apparent offensive advantage as they took the lead four minutes into the third period. GB international David Clarke the recipient of a Richardson pass after Craig Mitchell had unluckily trapped his stick between the legs of that man Richardson.
The turning point in the game followed in the 46th minute as the Panthers, who began the game with nine imports after Kevin Bergin injured an ankle against Tilburg, lost key forward Cameron Mann for spearing (5+Game) following a scuffle at the Panthers bench. The roughing at the bench, instigated by Richardson and a number of the Stingrays, also saw Jade Galbraith and Adam Knight receive fighting penalties for a fight which, apparently, very few people actually saw.
Nevertheless, that rough stuff gave the Rays a five minute powerplay, which, although they did not convert on, tired the Panthers already fatigued legs. Galbraith returned after his penalty only to see the referees arm aloft again for a penalty against him, this time for delay of game.
The Rays would not, and did not, fail to convert this time, as a visibly relieved Curtis Huppe, who had looked thoroughly frustrated by his lack of goals in pre-season, ended his goalscoring drought (if you can call two and a bit games a drought) by scrambling home his first goal for the Stingrays on the powerplay.
With the tide, and atmosphere, well and truly on the Stingrays side, and with the Panthers tiring, they pushed forward for the winner.
That winner, once again, came from the stick of Ukrainian Kalmikov, who claimed his third goal in two games, sending the Hull Arena into a frenzy, and giving the Stingrays an ideal start to the season. Three wins in three and their first trophy since their two-legged Yorkshire Cup victory over the Sheffield Steelers in 06/07, Hull Arena rocked for the first time in years.
Stingray Stats
Kalmikov 2+0, Huppe 1+0, Glowa 0+2, Reynolds and Gomenyuk 0+1.
Sandahl: 33 shots/2 goals
Best Parts
The atmosphere in the Hull Arena back to its best, all of the Rays putting their bodies on the line in a pre-season game, the Stingrays players celebrating as though it really meant as much to them as it did to fans, Konstantin Kalmikov's shorthanded goal, relief as Curtis Huppe finally got off the mark.
Worst Parts
That this game was just a pre-season fixture and not the beginning of the league campaign.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Konstantin Kalmikov (2+0) Once again the former Panther came up trumps against his former side, this time chipping in with two goals and a worthy man of the match performance. The Ukrainian has very rarely failed to score against his former club and has become one of the Stingrays key players after being plucked from something resembling obscurity by former coach Strachan after spells in the SPHL and Italy. H is now well and truly back on the radar, with all of the key skills needed to be one of the Elite Leagues top players, he exhibited those skills perfectly in this game and was again not afraid to get stuck in the corners.
Nottingham: Jade Galbraith (1+0) After being criticized for his work ethic and fitness during last season, Galbraith has returned a new man. Having visibly lost weight, he has begun this season attempting to set right a reputation that had him as one of the fans least favourite Panthers last season, despite a 74 point return. With 3 goals and 3 assists in the P&O Channel Cup, both he, and the Panthers fan base, will be hoping he continues in the same vein.
Stingrays Verdict: 8/10
Only the importance of this game, which is fairly low in the grand scheme of things (despite what the Rays celebrations and aftermath may indicate) prevented this game from being higher rated on the Stingrays performance rater.
Sylvain Cloutier has indicated that there were things that the wasn't pleased with, but from a fans point of view, it couldn't have been much better. Sure, Konstantin Kalmikov aside, the Rays may have not been the continued offensive threat that they would have liked, but then, neither were the Panthers, who, on paper, have a roster with far more offensive talent.
In fact, one of the biggest changes in the Rays game is where they defend from. Whilst many predicted that the post-Strachan era would see the Rays offence turn into a comparatively gung-ho attack, what was missed out on was how they would defend. A Strachan team may have sat back and absorbed the pressure against the Panthers, a Cloutier side defends a little higher and tells the opposing side they will have to go through them to score goals.
Without wanting to jinx him, behind the defence, Tommy Sandahl is looking like quite a nice piece of business by Cloutier. He told prohockeynews.com, last week, that "you won't see [him making] highlight reel saves", well, on the evidence so far, that will be fine by the Stingrays fan base, who have taken to the Swede in a similar fashion to how they took the Rays last Swedish netminder, Anders Hogberg.
In front of him, Craig Mitchell, wearing the #13 shirt, resembles another former British defenceman for the Stingrays that also wore that number at the young end of his career, whilst Ryan Jorde stepped up against the Panthers Dominic D'Armour in a good bout, and may have tested his fellow former AHL blueliner a bit more had his shirt not looped over his head.
Forwards Matt Reynolds, Sylvain Cloutier and Curtis Huppe seemed to be the Rays spark plugs, notching up the intensity on plenty of occasions, with the rest of the squad following. Reynolds particularly looked like a man possessed at times and a completely different type of player to last season, whilst Cloutier's continued tussle with fellow player-coach Corey Neilson was another key point and highlight of the match.
Come the final horn, with the atmosphere returning to the levels that had previously filled the Hull Arena, the players emotions and celebrations showed that they will win and lose as a team, and that they care about (and celebrate) the wins as much as the fans that pay their wages.
Ultimately, that is all the Hull faithful have been crying out for the past few years and, if the team continue in the same fashion as they did in this thrilling second home game of the season, they will become one of, if not the, most popular side in the 20 year history of hockey in Hull. They certainly have the potential to pan out that way.
Cloutier's Comments
"It was a good weekend and you have to be happy with the results but there are still a few things to work on which we will do this week. We will let the guys enjoy this big win, Nottingham are one of the teams picked to win the Elite League but we showed we have a good side too."It was a tough game, we got down by one but the guys never gave up. We kept going, kept plugging away and our big guns came through. Kalmi and Huppe are our top players, we need them to capitalise for us and they did."
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Trappers overpowered as Panthers take easy victory
Nottingham Panthers 11-3 Tilburg Trappers
The Nottingham Panthers easily swept aside Dutch side, the Tilburg Trappers, in their first game of the P&O Channel Cup, setting up a deciding clash with fellow Elite League side the Excel Hull Stingrays on Monday.
The Panthers got off to the worst possible start against the Trappers, who lost out 4-3 to the Stingrays on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday and started backup netminder Ian Meierdries, as import defenceman Kory Scoran slapped a bullet past new Panthers keeper Kevin St-Pierre after just 38 seconds.
It would be the only time in the game the Trappers lead as goals from Marc Levers and the reinvigorated Jade Galbraith, who took the Panthers man of the match in this game with 2 goals and three assists, put Nottingham ahead without having played their best.
In the second period the Panthers really began to click in what was their first game of the season. Former NHL forward Cameron Mann beat Meierdres down low for what is expected to be the first of many for the East Midlands side, before the Trappers unexpectedly responded through Dutch international Pieter Van Biezen, who netted on the powerplay after a nice setup pass from Cody Jacobs, pulling the deficit back to two goals at 4-2.
Three quick goals from player-coach Corey Neilson, returnee goalscoring forward Sean McAslan and Ross Dalgleish, signed from Edinburgh this summer, put the Panthers deservedly ahead by five goals as new teammates began to connect well, particularly for the Dalgleish goal, beautifully set up by Mann and Marty Gascon.
The third was all but a formality by this point, with the score at 7-2, however the Panthers did not take their foot off the gas, powering past goals eight and nine, from Galbraith and debutant Dominic D'Armour respectively, before Vanschagen scored his first and the Trappers third.
Inexperienced Brit Mark Hartley replaced St-Pierre in the Panthers net after 52 minutes, just before Nick Toneys rounded off the score with the Panthers 11th of the night, sealing an empathic start to the season.
F Block Blog MOM
Panthers- Jade Galbraith- After allegedly losing pounds of weight during the off-season, Galbraith started the season as his critics hope he will continue.
Trappers- Kory Scoran- His nice slapshot past St-Pierre aside, Scoran was a cool and calm head amongst a Trappers side that looked far too rushed during in the game, both in offence and defence.
The Nottingham Panthers easily swept aside Dutch side, the Tilburg Trappers, in their first game of the P&O Channel Cup, setting up a deciding clash with fellow Elite League side the Excel Hull Stingrays on Monday.
The Panthers got off to the worst possible start against the Trappers, who lost out 4-3 to the Stingrays on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday and started backup netminder Ian Meierdries, as import defenceman Kory Scoran slapped a bullet past new Panthers keeper Kevin St-Pierre after just 38 seconds.
It would be the only time in the game the Trappers lead as goals from Marc Levers and the reinvigorated Jade Galbraith, who took the Panthers man of the match in this game with 2 goals and three assists, put Nottingham ahead without having played their best.
In the second period the Panthers really began to click in what was their first game of the season. Former NHL forward Cameron Mann beat Meierdres down low for what is expected to be the first of many for the East Midlands side, before the Trappers unexpectedly responded through Dutch international Pieter Van Biezen, who netted on the powerplay after a nice setup pass from Cody Jacobs, pulling the deficit back to two goals at 4-2.
Three quick goals from player-coach Corey Neilson, returnee goalscoring forward Sean McAslan and Ross Dalgleish, signed from Edinburgh this summer, put the Panthers deservedly ahead by five goals as new teammates began to connect well, particularly for the Dalgleish goal, beautifully set up by Mann and Marty Gascon.
The third was all but a formality by this point, with the score at 7-2, however the Panthers did not take their foot off the gas, powering past goals eight and nine, from Galbraith and debutant Dominic D'Armour respectively, before Vanschagen scored his first and the Trappers third.
Inexperienced Brit Mark Hartley replaced St-Pierre in the Panthers net after 52 minutes, just before Nick Toneys rounded off the score with the Panthers 11th of the night, sealing an empathic start to the season.
F Block Blog MOM
Panthers- Jade Galbraith- After allegedly losing pounds of weight during the off-season, Galbraith started the season as his critics hope he will continue.
Trappers- Kory Scoran- His nice slapshot past St-Pierre aside, Scoran was a cool and calm head amongst a Trappers side that looked far too rushed during in the game, both in offence and defence.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Rays edge out Tilburg in physical pre-season encounter
Excel Hull Stingrays 4-3 Tilburg Trappers
Opening the P&O Channel Cup, the Excel Hull Stingrays just edged Dutch champions, the Tilburg Trappers, in what was a heated and physical second game of pre-season for the Rays.
In a game which the Rays frequently had their Dutch counterparts under heavy pressure, Adam Knight opened the scoring with his first goal for the team after six minutes, as he wheeled around the outside of the Trappers defence before cutting inside and slotting past former NHL netminder Yukata Fukufuji in the Tilburg goal.
The game was chippy from the off, as the Rays played a typically aggressive style under Sylvain Cloutier, although it was assistant coach Curtis Huppe, one of the teams skilled players, that began with a bee under his bonnet as he received a roughing penalty, already his second of the game after just seven minutes, for throwing a gloved punch following the Rays opening goal.
Further chances fell to the home side, with Kalmikov and Glowa combining well whilst shorthanded to force a glove save from Japanese international Fukufuji in a low butterfly position. Kalmikov again challenged the netminder on the buzzer but the period ended with just a single goal separating the sides.
The second period began with spells of very scrappy play as both sides tried to get to grips with the game, although the physicality of the match continued in the same vein, most notably with Lee Esders upending a Trapper before a retaliatory check came flying in. Adam Knight picked up an obligatory two minute minor for having select words with the Trapper in question for picking on 5'7 Hull born Esders.
However, with James Hutchinson also sitting a minor, the Rays found themselves defending a 5-on-3, and it was on this penalty kill that Tommy Sandahl's shutout as a Stingray ended at 91 minutes, as Rody Jacobs levelled for Tilburg.
Six minutes later and more penalties followed. A scuffle, again involving Curtis Huppe, who was binned for the third time in the game, ended with the Stingrays enforcer-turned-goalscorer, Adam Knight, and Tilburg's Mark Donders dropping the gloves. Knight, something of a veteran fighter, left the Dutchman with a cut above his left eye and probably a fair share of regret for the actions that lead to the short fight as Knight easily knocked the 6'0 forward to the ground.
That fight spurred the Rays into action with two quick goals extending the scoreline three goals to one. Firstly Jeff Glowa netted his second in two games on a 4-on-3 powerplay on 38 minutes before Matt Reynolds bagged a deserved goal in his man of the match performance as he persevered through a number of Trappers defencemen and rocketed a shot over the shoulder of Fukufuji just before the second break.
The Trappers came out fighting in the third with a somewhat fortuitous quickfire Josh Liebenow double in the space of six minutes leveling the scores and with momentum very much on the side of the Dutch.
However, the Rays re-applied the pressure, and they were eventually rewarded for their superiority in the match, which saw them fire 46 shots on Fukufuji to Tilburg's 24 shots on Tommy Sandahl, with a winner with six minutes remaining.
Shaun Thompson's second goal in two games, a scrappy effort in a scramble in front of the Trappers net, saw off the Dutch side and gave the Rays a second win in two games ahead of a match against Elite League rivals the Nottingham Panthers on Monday. The Trappers, who, with just a couple of training sessions under their belt, showed the makings of a good squad, go on to face the Panthers tomorrow afternoon (3.30) before they return home.
Stingray Stats
Matt Reynolds 1+1, Jeff Glowa, Shaun Thompson and Adam Knight 1+0, James Hutchinson and Konstantin Kalmikov 0+2, Sylvain Cloutier, Slava Koulikov and Pavel Gomenyuk 0+1.
Tommy Sandahl: 24 shots/3 goals allowed.
Best Parts
Adam Knight showing that he can both intimidate, fight and score, big hits from the majority of the squad, including a crowd pleasing hip check from Pavel Gomenyuk, a solid performance.
Worst Parts
Again the amount of penalties the team conceded (and again in a friendly) leaving them open to two powerplay goals, a few nervy moments at the back, occasional goal shyness.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Matt Reynolds (1+2) Although Reynolds was far from average last season, as one of the team's best performers, he looked like a different player, perhaps one of the first few signs of the change in coaching. He produced a fit and tenacious performance that did not go unnoticed, particularly given how many hits he threw in comparison to last season. He was well worth his goal.
Tilburg: Josh Liebenow (2+0) Like much of the Tilburg side, he impressed, especially after just a couple of training sessions with his new side, after moving from Germany in the summer. Given a lack of familiarity with his teammates, he linked well and showed good touches, whilst his finishes gave the Trappers a respectable one goal loss.
Stingrays Verdict: 7/10
This game gave the Rays fanbase a first look at their 09/10 squad and they all impressed in some form.
Adam Knight and Tommy Sandahl once again stood out, for their solid goalscoring and goal saving abilities respectively, whilst Shaun Thompson scored his second goal in two games for the Rays, following up an impressive season in Basingstoke with a good start to this term.
If anything, coach Sylvain Cloutier and his assistant Curtis Huppe are the only players that have yet failed to significantly register on the scoresheet, when expected, although their worth, particularly tonight, was incredibly visible to home fans in their hard work and desire to get on the scoresheet and win.
Konstantin Kalmikov made his first appearance of the season and, sporting a new Troy Neumeier-esque helmet, continued where he left off, with his usual flawless skating, strong shot and determination plus-some. That plus-some came, like Matt Reynolds, in the form of an aggressive streak with the number of times he threw himself into hits. In contrast to last season, and his Ukrainian reputation, Kalmikov, who once had a fight with Andre Payette, was showed no fear when the physicality of the game intensified.
Matty Davies saw his opportunities limited by Kalmikov's return but he did ice semi-regularly and, like on Wednesday night, didn't let himself down.
Finally, the defence looked solid. Ryan Jorde, although not the fastest, may remind fans of a match fit Stuart Kerr, Stephen Burns continues to show why he was handed a university deal, with his offensive bursts, whilst on the British side of things, James Hutchinson was good, recording two assists, and Craig Mitchell was defensively solid.
Cloutier's Comments
Opening the P&O Channel Cup, the Excel Hull Stingrays just edged Dutch champions, the Tilburg Trappers, in what was a heated and physical second game of pre-season for the Rays.
In a game which the Rays frequently had their Dutch counterparts under heavy pressure, Adam Knight opened the scoring with his first goal for the team after six minutes, as he wheeled around the outside of the Trappers defence before cutting inside and slotting past former NHL netminder Yukata Fukufuji in the Tilburg goal.
The game was chippy from the off, as the Rays played a typically aggressive style under Sylvain Cloutier, although it was assistant coach Curtis Huppe, one of the teams skilled players, that began with a bee under his bonnet as he received a roughing penalty, already his second of the game after just seven minutes, for throwing a gloved punch following the Rays opening goal.
Further chances fell to the home side, with Kalmikov and Glowa combining well whilst shorthanded to force a glove save from Japanese international Fukufuji in a low butterfly position. Kalmikov again challenged the netminder on the buzzer but the period ended with just a single goal separating the sides.
The second period began with spells of very scrappy play as both sides tried to get to grips with the game, although the physicality of the match continued in the same vein, most notably with Lee Esders upending a Trapper before a retaliatory check came flying in. Adam Knight picked up an obligatory two minute minor for having select words with the Trapper in question for picking on 5'7 Hull born Esders.
However, with James Hutchinson also sitting a minor, the Rays found themselves defending a 5-on-3, and it was on this penalty kill that Tommy Sandahl's shutout as a Stingray ended at 91 minutes, as Rody Jacobs levelled for Tilburg.
Six minutes later and more penalties followed. A scuffle, again involving Curtis Huppe, who was binned for the third time in the game, ended with the Stingrays enforcer-turned-goalscorer, Adam Knight, and Tilburg's Mark Donders dropping the gloves. Knight, something of a veteran fighter, left the Dutchman with a cut above his left eye and probably a fair share of regret for the actions that lead to the short fight as Knight easily knocked the 6'0 forward to the ground.
That fight spurred the Rays into action with two quick goals extending the scoreline three goals to one. Firstly Jeff Glowa netted his second in two games on a 4-on-3 powerplay on 38 minutes before Matt Reynolds bagged a deserved goal in his man of the match performance as he persevered through a number of Trappers defencemen and rocketed a shot over the shoulder of Fukufuji just before the second break.
The Trappers came out fighting in the third with a somewhat fortuitous quickfire Josh Liebenow double in the space of six minutes leveling the scores and with momentum very much on the side of the Dutch.
However, the Rays re-applied the pressure, and they were eventually rewarded for their superiority in the match, which saw them fire 46 shots on Fukufuji to Tilburg's 24 shots on Tommy Sandahl, with a winner with six minutes remaining.
Shaun Thompson's second goal in two games, a scrappy effort in a scramble in front of the Trappers net, saw off the Dutch side and gave the Rays a second win in two games ahead of a match against Elite League rivals the Nottingham Panthers on Monday. The Trappers, who, with just a couple of training sessions under their belt, showed the makings of a good squad, go on to face the Panthers tomorrow afternoon (3.30) before they return home.
Stingray Stats
Matt Reynolds 1+1, Jeff Glowa, Shaun Thompson and Adam Knight 1+0, James Hutchinson and Konstantin Kalmikov 0+2, Sylvain Cloutier, Slava Koulikov and Pavel Gomenyuk 0+1.
Tommy Sandahl: 24 shots/3 goals allowed.
Best Parts
Adam Knight showing that he can both intimidate, fight and score, big hits from the majority of the squad, including a crowd pleasing hip check from Pavel Gomenyuk, a solid performance.
Worst Parts
Again the amount of penalties the team conceded (and again in a friendly) leaving them open to two powerplay goals, a few nervy moments at the back, occasional goal shyness.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Matt Reynolds (1+2) Although Reynolds was far from average last season, as one of the team's best performers, he looked like a different player, perhaps one of the first few signs of the change in coaching. He produced a fit and tenacious performance that did not go unnoticed, particularly given how many hits he threw in comparison to last season. He was well worth his goal.
Tilburg: Josh Liebenow (2+0) Like much of the Tilburg side, he impressed, especially after just a couple of training sessions with his new side, after moving from Germany in the summer. Given a lack of familiarity with his teammates, he linked well and showed good touches, whilst his finishes gave the Trappers a respectable one goal loss.
Stingrays Verdict: 7/10
This game gave the Rays fanbase a first look at their 09/10 squad and they all impressed in some form.
Adam Knight and Tommy Sandahl once again stood out, for their solid goalscoring and goal saving abilities respectively, whilst Shaun Thompson scored his second goal in two games for the Rays, following up an impressive season in Basingstoke with a good start to this term.
If anything, coach Sylvain Cloutier and his assistant Curtis Huppe are the only players that have yet failed to significantly register on the scoresheet, when expected, although their worth, particularly tonight, was incredibly visible to home fans in their hard work and desire to get on the scoresheet and win.
Konstantin Kalmikov made his first appearance of the season and, sporting a new Troy Neumeier-esque helmet, continued where he left off, with his usual flawless skating, strong shot and determination plus-some. That plus-some came, like Matt Reynolds, in the form of an aggressive streak with the number of times he threw himself into hits. In contrast to last season, and his Ukrainian reputation, Kalmikov, who once had a fight with Andre Payette, was showed no fear when the physicality of the game intensified.
Matty Davies saw his opportunities limited by Kalmikov's return but he did ice semi-regularly and, like on Wednesday night, didn't let himself down.
Finally, the defence looked solid. Ryan Jorde, although not the fastest, may remind fans of a match fit Stuart Kerr, Stephen Burns continues to show why he was handed a university deal, with his offensive bursts, whilst on the British side of things, James Hutchinson was good, recording two assists, and Craig Mitchell was defensively solid.
Cloutier's Comments
"The guys showed character and found a way to win. Obviously you don't like to give up a two goal lead at home in the last period, but it's early in the season and it was a case of getting the cobwebs out, that's what pre-season games are for. Tilburg are a very strong side, they skated well, were very organised and not afraid to mix it up."
Friday, 28 August 2009
P&O Channel Cup Weekend Preview
P&O Channel Cup
Saturday 29th August: Hull Stingrays v Tilburg Trappers, F/O 5.30pm
Sunday 30th August: Nottingham Panthers v Tilburg Trappers, F/O 3.30pm
Monday 31st August: Hull Stingrays v Nottingham Panthers, F/O 5.30pm
Last 3 Meetings
v Nottingham
18/01/09 2-3 W A
08/02/09 1-5 L H
01/03/09 6-4 W H
v Tilburg
N/A
Last Season
Stingrays (9th, EIHL) PLD 54 W 13 L 33 D 3 OTL 5 PTS 37
Tilburg (1st, Dutch Eredivise) PLD 25 W 18 L 5 OTW 1 OTL 0 PTS 56
Nottingham (3rd, EIHL) PLD 54 W 33 L 13 OTW 4 OTL 4 PTS 78
Players to Watch
See for Nottingham and Tilburg HERE
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl- The Swede produced a solid shutout in his Stingrays debut against the Sheffield Scimitars on Wednesday and looked unfazed by most of what the EPL side had to throw at him. This weekend, however, will be a different challenge altogether. Games against Tilburg and Nottingham should test him further and good displays in both games will set him up for what could be a very good season.
Absentees
Stingrays- Konstantin Kalmikov (doubtful; VISA issues), Lee Mitchell (knee)
Nottingham- None
Tilburg- Brian McGarry (late arrival)
News
- The Stingrays are the only team to have already opened their season after fighting out a difficult 2-0 win in Sheffield over the EPL's Scimitars, their third win in pre-season in Rays four year Elite League stay.
- Saturday's game with Tilburg will mark a first in the history of the Stingrays as it will be the first time the team has played an opponent from overseas.
-The Tilburg Trappers have not had idea preparations for the weekend tournament. With many of their players arriving early this week, their first training session was Wednesday night, leaving them a a week or so behind the Stingrays and Panthers in preparations.
- Following Sunday's Tilburg-Nottingham game, fans will be given a chance to 'Skate with the Stingrays' in which they will be able to take photos and have autographs with the players.
- Tilburg are certain to not have a full squad for this weekends double header. Whilst Canadian forward Brian McGarry will miss the weekend, as he arrives later on September 1, they also have a number of players lined up to sign on a try-out basis prior to their league campaign which, due to budgeting issues, could not join the team in Hull. The players include Swede David Brome, Norweigan junior international Hendrik Skouen, and Americans Jeff Kaspar and Paul Smyth.
Predictions
Stingrays 3-2 Tilburg
Nottingham 5-2 Tilburg
Stinggrays 1-4 Nottingham
Thursday, 27 August 2009
About our opponents
With the P&0 Channel Cup officially kicking off in two days, with the Stingrays game against Tilburg, F Block Blog looks at some of the key players from the Stingrays opponents, Tilburg and Nottingham.
Tilburg Trappers (NL)
Coach: Mark Pederson (Canada)
NM: Yukata Fukufuji (Japan)- One of the instantly recognisable names on the Trappers roster. Japanese international Fukufuji is a former NHLer, with three games under his belt with the LA Kings; he was also the first ever Japanese player to ice in 'The Show'. He comes with a high end pedigree and has been signed by Pederson, his former coach in the ECHL, to ice for a Tilburg side with high expectations for the upcoming season.
D: Kory Scoran (Canada)- A standout ECHL defenceman, Scoran, a former Idaho Steelhead, impressed in the third tier of North American hockey with 77 points in three seasons, last season recording 33 points. Much more is expected of him in the Dutch Eredivise.
D: Bjorn Willemse (Netherlands)- 25 year old Willemse, a native of Tilburg, has been an everpresent in the Dutch national side since his debut in 2003, after a lengthy junior international career, and, up to last season, had spent his whole career with the Trappers. Last season he ventured to France, where a six game spell in the French top tier saw a return of four points, before he bolted to re-sign in Tilburg.
F: Daryl Bat (Canada)- Entering his fourth year in Tilburg, Bat has stood out as one of the Trappers top scoring players in his three years with the club, notching up 73, 59 and 53 point seasons respectively. Bat outscored Stingray Matt Reynolds twice in two years in Canadian college at York University, and more goals and points will be expected from the 28 year old, both this season and this weekend.
F: Josh Liebenow (USA)- Another recruit from coach Mark Pederson's days in Bakersfield, Liebenow had a rough first season in the 'E', recording just five points in 28 games, before exploding for 27 goals and 55 points in 06/07. He quickly moved to the German Bundesliga and two seasons, 71 points and 86 games later he signed up to join Pederson again, this time in Holland.
F: Pieter Van Biezen (Netherlands)- Van Biezen, like defenceman Willmse, has spent his whole career with Tilburg, usually finishing off the season with a spell for his national side at the World Championships. Coming off the back of a career year, with 40 points in 40 games in the Dutch top flight, Van Biezen will surely be a scoring threat this weekend, despite his poor scoring record with the Netherlands.
Nottingham Panthers
Coach: Corey Neilson (Canada)
NM: Kevin St Pierre (Canada)- The 28 year old Sherbrooke, Quebec native has joined friend and former team mate Bruce Richardson at the Panthers and replaces Michel Robinson in net after two years in the CHL with Tulsa. St-Pierre is an experienced starting netminder with spells in all four North American minor leagues, with his best years coming in 02/03 (with Bakersfield, ECHL) and 03/04 (with Fort Wayne, UHL), where he recorded bests in save percentage (92.9%) and goals against average (1.98) respectively.
D: Dominic D'Armour (Canada) D'Armour is another new addition to the Panthers lineup and it is thought he will turn out to be one of the league's top defenceman. A third round draft pick of the Toronto Maples Leafs in 2002, D'Armour has over 100 games experience in the AHL and was twice called up to the AHL last season, after primarily spending the year in the ECHL with Florida and Dayton.
D: Corey Neilson (Canada) Whilst it is thought that D'Armour should turn out to be one of the Elite League's finest defencemen next season, there is no doubt that Neilson is already at that plateau. The Panthers player/coach has recorded an outstanding 174 points in 179 games from defence and came up with a career year last season in his first term as coach at the age of 32.
F: Cameron Mann (Canada) Surely one of the biggest signings in league history, Mann is a veteran of 94 NHL games, 302 AHL games, 34 SM-Liga games and, most recently, 172 DEL games...all some of the top leagues in the world. Not much more needs to be said about the forward, who last season scored 13 points in 17 DEL games, he should be one of the dominant forces during the P&O Channel Cup, and should be one of the top goal and pointscorers come the end of the season.
F: Sean McAslan (Canada) McAslan has returned for a second shot at the Elite League with Nottingham, following a successful two year spell between 2006 and 2008 in which he scored 166 points (and 84 goals) in 121 games as the Panthers won the Challenge Cup. A year in Denmark saw a return of 35 points in 43 games but the goalscoring forward will be wanting to help Nottingham end that long wait for a league title. A big season will be needed from him if the Panthers are to end that wait.
F: David Clarke (Great Britain) The Peterborough born forward has been a Great Britain regular for nine years and constantly hits the twine for both club and country. Now an adopted Panther, Clarke had a career year in 06/07, scoring 37 Elite League goals in 50 games, before trying his luck on the continent in Italy with HC Alleghe. An unlucky year later, in which he broke his leg, Clarke returned to Nottingham and helped the Panthers to the playoff final with 28 goals and 49 points in 41 games. He is one of the few Brits that can be relied on to hit the net regularly and is a huge part of the Panthers squad.
Tilburg Trappers (NL)Coach: Mark Pederson (Canada)
NM: Yukata Fukufuji (Japan)- One of the instantly recognisable names on the Trappers roster. Japanese international Fukufuji is a former NHLer, with three games under his belt with the LA Kings; he was also the first ever Japanese player to ice in 'The Show'. He comes with a high end pedigree and has been signed by Pederson, his former coach in the ECHL, to ice for a Tilburg side with high expectations for the upcoming season.
D: Kory Scoran (Canada)- A standout ECHL defenceman, Scoran, a former Idaho Steelhead, impressed in the third tier of North American hockey with 77 points in three seasons, last season recording 33 points. Much more is expected of him in the Dutch Eredivise.
D: Bjorn Willemse (Netherlands)- 25 year old Willemse, a native of Tilburg, has been an everpresent in the Dutch national side since his debut in 2003, after a lengthy junior international career, and, up to last season, had spent his whole career with the Trappers. Last season he ventured to France, where a six game spell in the French top tier saw a return of four points, before he bolted to re-sign in Tilburg.
F: Daryl Bat (Canada)- Entering his fourth year in Tilburg, Bat has stood out as one of the Trappers top scoring players in his three years with the club, notching up 73, 59 and 53 point seasons respectively. Bat outscored Stingray Matt Reynolds twice in two years in Canadian college at York University, and more goals and points will be expected from the 28 year old, both this season and this weekend.
F: Josh Liebenow (USA)- Another recruit from coach Mark Pederson's days in Bakersfield, Liebenow had a rough first season in the 'E', recording just five points in 28 games, before exploding for 27 goals and 55 points in 06/07. He quickly moved to the German Bundesliga and two seasons, 71 points and 86 games later he signed up to join Pederson again, this time in Holland.
F: Pieter Van Biezen (Netherlands)- Van Biezen, like defenceman Willmse, has spent his whole career with Tilburg, usually finishing off the season with a spell for his national side at the World Championships. Coming off the back of a career year, with 40 points in 40 games in the Dutch top flight, Van Biezen will surely be a scoring threat this weekend, despite his poor scoring record with the Netherlands.
Nottingham PanthersCoach: Corey Neilson (Canada)
NM: Kevin St Pierre (Canada)- The 28 year old Sherbrooke, Quebec native has joined friend and former team mate Bruce Richardson at the Panthers and replaces Michel Robinson in net after two years in the CHL with Tulsa. St-Pierre is an experienced starting netminder with spells in all four North American minor leagues, with his best years coming in 02/03 (with Bakersfield, ECHL) and 03/04 (with Fort Wayne, UHL), where he recorded bests in save percentage (92.9%) and goals against average (1.98) respectively.
D: Dominic D'Armour (Canada) D'Armour is another new addition to the Panthers lineup and it is thought he will turn out to be one of the league's top defenceman. A third round draft pick of the Toronto Maples Leafs in 2002, D'Armour has over 100 games experience in the AHL and was twice called up to the AHL last season, after primarily spending the year in the ECHL with Florida and Dayton.
D: Corey Neilson (Canada) Whilst it is thought that D'Armour should turn out to be one of the Elite League's finest defencemen next season, there is no doubt that Neilson is already at that plateau. The Panthers player/coach has recorded an outstanding 174 points in 179 games from defence and came up with a career year last season in his first term as coach at the age of 32.
F: Cameron Mann (Canada) Surely one of the biggest signings in league history, Mann is a veteran of 94 NHL games, 302 AHL games, 34 SM-Liga games and, most recently, 172 DEL games...all some of the top leagues in the world. Not much more needs to be said about the forward, who last season scored 13 points in 17 DEL games, he should be one of the dominant forces during the P&O Channel Cup, and should be one of the top goal and pointscorers come the end of the season.
F: Sean McAslan (Canada) McAslan has returned for a second shot at the Elite League with Nottingham, following a successful two year spell between 2006 and 2008 in which he scored 166 points (and 84 goals) in 121 games as the Panthers won the Challenge Cup. A year in Denmark saw a return of 35 points in 43 games but the goalscoring forward will be wanting to help Nottingham end that long wait for a league title. A big season will be needed from him if the Panthers are to end that wait.
F: David Clarke (Great Britain) The Peterborough born forward has been a Great Britain regular for nine years and constantly hits the twine for both club and country. Now an adopted Panther, Clarke had a career year in 06/07, scoring 37 Elite League goals in 50 games, before trying his luck on the continent in Italy with HC Alleghe. An unlucky year later, in which he broke his leg, Clarke returned to Nottingham and helped the Panthers to the playoff final with 28 goals and 49 points in 41 games. He is one of the few Brits that can be relied on to hit the net regularly and is a huge part of the Panthers squad.
Cloutier era begins with Sandahl shutout in edgy win
Sheffield Scimitars 0-2 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays kicked off a new era in the club's short history with an edgy 2-0 win over the English Premier League's Sheffield Scimitars in front of a decent Rays following at iceSheffield. The Stingrays, clearly short of full match fitness and lacking team cohesion, came up against a youthful and spirited Scimitars side that surprisingly pushed their Elite League counterparts all the way to the final buzzer.
The Scimitars, who were missing two of their signed imports plus an, as yet, unannounced import defenceman, had just Finn netminder Pasi Raitanen as their sole non-Brit against a Stingrays side that boasted nine imports.
An uneventful first period saw both sides sparring for early season form with a lack of chances and large number of misplaced passes a direct consequence of both sides unfamiliarity with teammates.
However, the Stingrays, who marginally edged possession in the first period, were the first to strike through debutant British forward Shaun Thompson after good work by Adam Knight. The hard nosed Canadian forced a break down the left wing and fired a dangerous pass across the face of goal. Thompson eventually, following a number of deflections, diverted the puck home via his glove and despite Scimitar disputes, the Rays took a one-zip lead after 11 minutes.
Many may have thought that would be the end of the game as a contest, especially given the Rays nine-one dominance over the Scimitars in the import stakes. Apparently not, as the plucky Scimitars continued to work hard throughout the game and restricted the Rays to just two goals.
The second period saw a number of chances for both sides. Twice Glowa and Knight combined well to force good saves from Raitanen and Ben Bowns, who replaced the Finn in the home sides goal halfway through the second. Whilst Swede Tommy Sandahl, in the Stingrays goal, also made a couple of solid saves as the Scimitars began to get some offense going following some large periods of play cooped up in their defensive end.
However it was a rasping Curtis Huppe 31st minute wrister that came closest to hitting the twine and extending the Rays lead to two in the second, as his shot cannoned off the crossbar and into the protective netting.
The third period finally brought another goal, this time on the powerplay after former Stingray Stuart Brittle was binned for a tripping call. The Rays kept control of the puck well in their only powerplay of the game and a well worked move between Pavel Gomenyuk, who recieved a 10 minute penalty for inciting during the third, and Matt Reynolds, handed Jeff Glowa the kind of chance he rarely misses. He didn't miss, making it two-nil to the Stingrays after 44 minutes.
The Scimitars continued to hold firm, thwarting most of the Rays newly created offence with relative ease, whilst the Stingrays continued to try and push forward for more goals. None came, and the scoreline finished at a rather unsatisfying (for Rays fans) two-nil.
Stingray Stats
Jeff Glowa 1+0, Shaun Thompson 1+0, Pavel Gomenyuk and Matt Reynolds 0+1.
Tommy Sandahl 27 shots/0 goals.
Best Parts: A confidence inspiring display from Sandahl, Adam Knight proving he is more than an enforcer and that he can actually play a little too, Knight throwing a couple monster hits, a nice post-to-post save from Sandahl, early goals for Glowa and Thompson.
Worst Parts: A severe lack of goals (especially given it was nine imports against one), a lack of cohesion (although that will certainly come with time), the team's willingness to unnecessarily get involved physically in an 'Challenge' match.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (27 shots, 0 goals) Although he may not have been tested as often as he may be during this upcoming weekend, or even next weekend in the Rays opener, Sandahl restored confidence in the Rays netminding department. He was the biggest question mark coming into this pre-season and his solid performance (collision with a Rays defenceman aside) has done a lot to answer his early critics. Honourable mention to Adam Knight, who also impressed
Sheffield: Pasi Raitanen/Ben Bowns(27 shots, 2 goals) The duo made a couple of point blank saves that surely kept the Scimitars score to a more very very respectable level than the respectable it would have been at even five or six-nil. 39 year old Raitanen is a known quality to all throughout the hockey land and made a very nice looking glove save following a Glowa-Knight-one-two, but Bowns too did very well when called upon and also made a number of very good saves.
Stingrays Verdict: (5/10) Coming into this game coach Sylvain Cloutier knew little about how this Rays side, his first Stingrays side,which he had just spent a couple of months assembling, would turn out on the ice. Now he knows that, to live up to the praise and predictions of the off-season, his side must improve.
Although this game clearly wore off some of the rust and tired summer legs, the Stingrays will need to be sharper and fitter if they are to challenge Tilburg, and particularly Nottingham this weekend. Too often in this game the team chose to pass rather than shoot, but that can, hopefully, be written down to the 'friendly' nature of this game.
Adam Knight, labelled as a goon that would probably not supply more than a few black eyes to the opposition, proved that he can actually play puck, whilst Tommy Sandahl proved he will easily step into the shoes of the much maligned Curtis Cruickshank in the Rays net.
Elsewhere, Matty Davies showed he has the stickhandling, if not the size, to cope with professional hockey, whilst Shaun Thompson continued where he left off in Basingstoke last month with a goal and glimpses of what he can do. The Rays defence, although caught out of position a little too much (call it summer rust), weren't called upon much, however Stephen Burns rushes up the ice look promising. Matt Reynolds certainly showed more of his form from early last season.
Although the result may have not been as emphatic as many expected, in part due to a fit, well-drilled Scimitars side, this game will have gone a long way to shaking some of the pre-season cobwebs, getting the players fit and preparing the side for the weekend P&O Channel Cup and, ultimately, the Elite League season.
Cloutier's Comments
The Excel Hull Stingrays kicked off a new era in the club's short history with an edgy 2-0 win over the English Premier League's Sheffield Scimitars in front of a decent Rays following at iceSheffield. The Stingrays, clearly short of full match fitness and lacking team cohesion, came up against a youthful and spirited Scimitars side that surprisingly pushed their Elite League counterparts all the way to the final buzzer.
The Scimitars, who were missing two of their signed imports plus an, as yet, unannounced import defenceman, had just Finn netminder Pasi Raitanen as their sole non-Brit against a Stingrays side that boasted nine imports.
An uneventful first period saw both sides sparring for early season form with a lack of chances and large number of misplaced passes a direct consequence of both sides unfamiliarity with teammates.
However, the Stingrays, who marginally edged possession in the first period, were the first to strike through debutant British forward Shaun Thompson after good work by Adam Knight. The hard nosed Canadian forced a break down the left wing and fired a dangerous pass across the face of goal. Thompson eventually, following a number of deflections, diverted the puck home via his glove and despite Scimitar disputes, the Rays took a one-zip lead after 11 minutes.
Many may have thought that would be the end of the game as a contest, especially given the Rays nine-one dominance over the Scimitars in the import stakes. Apparently not, as the plucky Scimitars continued to work hard throughout the game and restricted the Rays to just two goals.
The second period saw a number of chances for both sides. Twice Glowa and Knight combined well to force good saves from Raitanen and Ben Bowns, who replaced the Finn in the home sides goal halfway through the second. Whilst Swede Tommy Sandahl, in the Stingrays goal, also made a couple of solid saves as the Scimitars began to get some offense going following some large periods of play cooped up in their defensive end.
However it was a rasping Curtis Huppe 31st minute wrister that came closest to hitting the twine and extending the Rays lead to two in the second, as his shot cannoned off the crossbar and into the protective netting.
The third period finally brought another goal, this time on the powerplay after former Stingray Stuart Brittle was binned for a tripping call. The Rays kept control of the puck well in their only powerplay of the game and a well worked move between Pavel Gomenyuk, who recieved a 10 minute penalty for inciting during the third, and Matt Reynolds, handed Jeff Glowa the kind of chance he rarely misses. He didn't miss, making it two-nil to the Stingrays after 44 minutes.
The Scimitars continued to hold firm, thwarting most of the Rays newly created offence with relative ease, whilst the Stingrays continued to try and push forward for more goals. None came, and the scoreline finished at a rather unsatisfying (for Rays fans) two-nil.
Stingray Stats
Jeff Glowa 1+0, Shaun Thompson 1+0, Pavel Gomenyuk and Matt Reynolds 0+1.
Tommy Sandahl 27 shots/0 goals.
Best Parts: A confidence inspiring display from Sandahl, Adam Knight proving he is more than an enforcer and that he can actually play a little too, Knight throwing a couple monster hits, a nice post-to-post save from Sandahl, early goals for Glowa and Thompson.
Worst Parts: A severe lack of goals (especially given it was nine imports against one), a lack of cohesion (although that will certainly come with time), the team's willingness to unnecessarily get involved physically in an 'Challenge' match.
F Block Blog MOM
Stingrays: Tommy Sandahl (27 shots, 0 goals) Although he may not have been tested as often as he may be during this upcoming weekend, or even next weekend in the Rays opener, Sandahl restored confidence in the Rays netminding department. He was the biggest question mark coming into this pre-season and his solid performance (collision with a Rays defenceman aside) has done a lot to answer his early critics. Honourable mention to Adam Knight, who also impressed
Sheffield: Pasi Raitanen/Ben Bowns(27 shots, 2 goals) The duo made a couple of point blank saves that surely kept the Scimitars score to a more very very respectable level than the respectable it would have been at even five or six-nil. 39 year old Raitanen is a known quality to all throughout the hockey land and made a very nice looking glove save following a Glowa-Knight-one-two, but Bowns too did very well when called upon and also made a number of very good saves.
Stingrays Verdict: (5/10) Coming into this game coach Sylvain Cloutier knew little about how this Rays side, his first Stingrays side,which he had just spent a couple of months assembling, would turn out on the ice. Now he knows that, to live up to the praise and predictions of the off-season, his side must improve.
Although this game clearly wore off some of the rust and tired summer legs, the Stingrays will need to be sharper and fitter if they are to challenge Tilburg, and particularly Nottingham this weekend. Too often in this game the team chose to pass rather than shoot, but that can, hopefully, be written down to the 'friendly' nature of this game.
Adam Knight, labelled as a goon that would probably not supply more than a few black eyes to the opposition, proved that he can actually play puck, whilst Tommy Sandahl proved he will easily step into the shoes of the much maligned Curtis Cruickshank in the Rays net.
Elsewhere, Matty Davies showed he has the stickhandling, if not the size, to cope with professional hockey, whilst Shaun Thompson continued where he left off in Basingstoke last month with a goal and glimpses of what he can do. The Rays defence, although caught out of position a little too much (call it summer rust), weren't called upon much, however Stephen Burns rushes up the ice look promising. Matt Reynolds certainly showed more of his form from early last season.
Although the result may have not been as emphatic as many expected, in part due to a fit, well-drilled Scimitars side, this game will have gone a long way to shaking some of the pre-season cobwebs, getting the players fit and preparing the side for the weekend P&O Channel Cup and, ultimately, the Elite League season.
Cloutier's Comments
"Obviously it was our first game and we have a lot of things to work on but we are working towards getting ready for Belfast. We made some mistakes and turned the puck over which I don’t want to see but that will come with time. I thought Tommy made some big saves and our ‘D’ played pretty well."Sheffield played hard and gave us a great game and a good test. They have some good little players, they work hard and you have to give their coaching staff credit, they did a really good job. The two young guys [Chilcott and Musil] did a great job and they were not afraid. They are going to go to Canada and that will be a great experience and hopefully they will have a career over there. If not, we will welcome them into our club with open arms."
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Glowa re-named captain
Evergreen Canadian forward Jeff Glowa has been handed the club captaincy for the Excel Hull Stingrays 09/10 season. Meanwhile fellow long term Stingrays, Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk and British forward Lee Mitchell, were also rewarded for their loyalty to the club with the alternate captain badges.Glowa, who is entering his six season in Hull and leads the club in games, goals, assists and points, is coming of the back of a career year, where he scored 33 goals and 29 assists in 60 games, in a season where he also held the title of captain. Meanwhile Mitchell and Gomenyuk have both spent four seasons with the club and have been two of the team's most consistent performers during that time.
Coach Sylvain Cloutier spoke to the official Hull Stingrays website about his captaincy decisions:
On Glowa:
"Having played against Jeff before I know exactly what type of player he is. He is a leader, a very good two-way player and a guy you know will battle for 60 minutes. He is the complete package.On Gomenyuk:
"Pash is another leader and someone the guys listen to. He also wants the club to be successful and he will help the younger guys.On Mitchell
"Mitch has been knocking on the GB door for a few years now and I believe he can do the same as Russ Cowley, who I played with in Coventry. He had a breakout season and got in the national team and Mitch can do that too."
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Rays unveil new shirt
The Excel Hull Stingrays have unveiled home and away shirts that they will use for the 09/10 Elite League season.
The shirts, which incorporate the, now normal, black, grey and white Rays colour scheme and along with the new addition of red sections, will be used for the first time tomorrow night against the Sheffield Scimitars at iceSheffield.
Alongside the new red addition, the shirts contain logos of new sponsors including Doncaster College and University Centre, where Stephen Burns will study during the season, and various others.
Sue Pack noted that, with the change in direction of the team, after Sylvain Cloutier replaced Rick Strachan as coach, the team decided to change the shirts slight, saying, "we wanted to add a new dimension to the shirts this year."
The shirts, which incorporate the, now normal, black, grey and white Rays colour scheme and along with the new addition of red sections, will be used for the first time tomorrow night against the Sheffield Scimitars at iceSheffield.
Alongside the new red addition, the shirts contain logos of new sponsors including Doncaster College and University Centre, where Stephen Burns will study during the season, and various others.
Sue Pack noted that, with the change in direction of the team, after Sylvain Cloutier replaced Rick Strachan as coach, the team decided to change the shirts slight, saying, "we wanted to add a new dimension to the shirts this year."
Home Kit
Away Kit
Monday, 24 August 2009
26th August Midweek Pre-season Preview
v
Wednesday 26th August: Sheffield Scimitars v Excel Hull Stingrays @ iceSheffield, F/O 7.30pm
Last 3 Meetings
v Sheffield Scimitars
22/12/05 1-5 L A (Yorkshire Cup)
30/12/05 3-2 W A
04/01/06 4-4 D H
Players to watch
Stingrays- Curtis Huppe: With 104 goals in 177 Elite League games, Huppe is a the epitome of an EIHL sniper. The Canadian, who will double up as coach Sylvain Cloutier's assistant, returns to the Elite League with a point to prove following a disappointing return from retirement last season in Corpus Christi. Look for him to bag a couple in his return to the UK.
Sheffield- Stephen Wallace: A former Hull Thunder forward, North-East native Wallace has seen his chances to perform at the top level spurned, instead he has been restricted to EPL and ENL. Nevertheless, his goalscoring talents have continued to shine with three 20+ goal seasons in three years in the EPL and with another good season under his belt he may finally make his way to the Elite League after seeing former Scimitar team mates Robert Dowd and Ben Morgan move in recent years. Without their import firepower, the Scimitars may rely on him for goals and points against the Stingrays.
Between the pipes
Stingrays- Tommy Sandahl/ Andrew Jaszcyzk: Debutant Sandahl is expected to begin the first of many games this season in his first career starting slot. The 25 year old Swede, who has joined from the second tier of Swedish hockey, will be hoping to make a good first impression on both Cloutier and the fans, with this game seen as a good chance to gain some early season form in the UK. Andrew Jaszcyzk is returning for his second season in Hull colours after a positive first term, and although his chances will likely be limited if Sandahl pans out as expected, he may get some ice time at iceSheffield on Wednesday.
Sheffield- Pasi Raitanen/Paul Jones: The Finn, another former Hull player, has re-signed for the EPL outfit after a season in Edinburgh and will hope to improve on form that saw him help the Scottish side to their second successive post-season ahead of the Stingrays. However, as the only import expected in the Scimitars ranks for this game, he, and backup netminder Paul Jones, who may also get some ice time, will be expected to face a lot of rubber from a Stingrays side boasting nine imports and looking to impress in their first game under a new coach.
Absentees
Stingrays- Konstantin Kalmikov (doubtful; visa problems), Lee Mitchell (knee)
Sheffield- Peter Slamiar (doubtful), Joakim Millqvist (doubtful)
News
- The Stingrays will open up their 09/10 pre-season season against the Scimitars in what will be Sylvain Cloutier's first game in charge and the Stingrays first game without former coach Rick Strachan at the helm.
- They look set to ice ten debutant's, including six imports (Tommy Sandahl, Stephen Burns, Ryan Jorde, Adam Knight, Sylvain Cloutier and Curtis Huppe) and four Brits (James Hutchinson, Craig Mitchell, Shaun Thompson and Matty Davies. Whilst the Scimitars will give debuts to at least three British players (Aaron Strawson, Lewis Bell and Frazer Goldie).
- The Stingrays are under .500 in pre-season encounters in their time in the Elite League, winning two of five games. Those wins, both at home, came in 07/08 with an emphatic 5-1 victory over an understrength Cardiff Devils and in 06/07 with a 5-3 win over the Sheffield Steelers in the Yorkshire Cup, only their second ever victory over the South Yorkshire side to date. Last pre-season, under Rick Strachan, the team returned to play the Steelers in the Yorkshire Cup and lost out in both legs for a 15-6 aggregate loss.
- Forward Lee Mitchell and Konstantin Kalmikov will both miss tomorrow night's fixture, with Mitchell also set to miss the P&O Channel Cup at the weekend. Kalmikov, who is the only Stingray yet to arrive at their pre-season training camp, has been on the receiving end of issues with his VISA application, whilst Mitchell injured his knee in one of the Rays first training sessions. It comes over a year and a half since he had an knee operation that saw him miss out on the run in to the 07/08 season.
- An F Block Blog match report of this game will follow on Thursday, whilst we will preview the P&O Channel Cup against Tilburg and Nottingham on Friday, with match reports and coverage from all three games.
What the coaches say...
Sylvain Cloutier (Stingrays)
"Exhibition games are a good way to see what changes, if any, need to be made with the line-up before the season starts. Nothing is better preparation than a game setting."John Rowbothan (Sheffield)
"This is a brilliant fixture for us and I am delighted that Clouts has agreed to bring his team over to Sheffield. I am hoping that both teams will be at full strength for the game and it should be a good night to warm-up both sets of fans for the upcoming season".Prediction
Sheffied 2-6 Stingrays
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