Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Stingrays hit Stars for six
Excel Hull Stingrays 6-1 Dundee Stars
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight put six goals past former netminder Ladislav Kurdna as they beat playoff rivals the Dundee Stars by six goals to one in the two sides first meeting at the Hull Arena in exactly five years.
In a chippy affair, which saw Dundee receive 64 minutes in penalties, goals from Andrew Coburn, Jason Silverthorn, Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle and a double from player-coach Sylvain Cloutier eased the home Stingrays to a routine win over their playoff rivals on Matt Suderman's first appearance in the Hull, having initially signed in the city this summer, and Ladislav Kurdna's return.
The result, combined with Braehead's unlikely shootout victory over Nottingham leaves the Stingrays still two points behind the Scottish side but with four games in hand to claim the much coveted sixth spot.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight put six goals past former netminder Ladislav Kurdna as they beat playoff rivals the Dundee Stars by six goals to one in the two sides first meeting at the Hull Arena in exactly five years.
In a chippy affair, which saw Dundee receive 64 minutes in penalties, goals from Andrew Coburn, Jason Silverthorn, Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle and a double from player-coach Sylvain Cloutier eased the home Stingrays to a routine win over their playoff rivals on Matt Suderman's first appearance in the Hull, having initially signed in the city this summer, and Ladislav Kurdna's return.
The result, combined with Braehead's unlikely shootout victory over Nottingham leaves the Stingrays still two points behind the Scottish side but with four games in hand to claim the much coveted sixth spot.
Rays Rating
7.5
FBB Three Stars
1- Konstantin Kalmikov (0+4)
2- Drew Bannister (0+1)
3- Andrew Coburn (1+1)
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Vipers strike to sink Stingrays
Hull Stingrays 2-3 Newcastle Vipers
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight failed to complete a double over Elite League bottom side the Newcastle Vipers. Claiming just a point of the two on offer thanks to an Andrew Coburn double, Sylvain Cloutier's team eventually fell to a Kyle Sibley overtime marker with less than 60 seconds to play despite controlling large portions of the game at the Hull Arena.
Without Lee Esders (concussion), Matti Uusivirta and Lee Mitchell (knee), the Rays headed into the game on the back of a emphatic 7-4 win in Newcastle the previous night and took the initiative early on as Andrew Coburn fired home his first of two on the night short side on Vipers keeper Charlie Effinger, who would eventually turn away 33 shots.
The Vipers then levelled thanks to Dale Mahovsky, who deked his way around Christian Boucher just moments after Patrick Forsbacka had tied up the ever impressive Drew Bannister way off the puck in an infringement that went unseen by referee Andy Carson.
Despite the visitors having the advantage in the first ten minutes of the second, it was the Stingrays who once again took the lead with rookie Coburn again on the board after a turnover which Konstantin Kalmikov unselfishly layed off to the Canadian to score.
However, once again the Vipers, who visibly worked tirelessly as a team all night long, levelled, capitalising on a powerplay opportunity after Jozef Sladok had taken a wholly unnecessary rough call on John Schwarz, with Finn Patrick Forsbacka scoring on the man advantage after Kurtis Dulle had come close, but not close enough, to clearing the puck around the boards.
The Stingrays came out in the third and final period and well and truly took control of the game with Newcastle tiring, but ultimately they lacked the cutting edge that had seemingly been evident the night before. Effinger had a large part to play in keeping the Rays out though, stopping 13 third period shots, most notably making a sprawling save on a two-on-one which Matty Davies couldn't quite get a good enough connection on to force home with minutes remaining.
Danny Stewart will have been delighted with the point, particularly as his side had a clear game plan to take the extra point going into overtime. With Effinger in fine form and seemingly confident of stopping everything the Rays could throw at him, the Vipers invited the home side onto them, soaking up almost four minutes of pressure before counter attacking to strike the critical blow through defenceman Kyle Sibley on their only shot of the extra period with 57 seconds to play. Importantly, the shot clinched the Vipers first win on the road in 12..
Cloutier must regroup his troops from a disappointing but acceptable overtime loss given the 7-4 victory the previous night, although a result against Dundee tomorrow night is massive given his side are just two points off sixth placed Braehead and beginning to flag somewhat.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight failed to complete a double over Elite League bottom side the Newcastle Vipers. Claiming just a point of the two on offer thanks to an Andrew Coburn double, Sylvain Cloutier's team eventually fell to a Kyle Sibley overtime marker with less than 60 seconds to play despite controlling large portions of the game at the Hull Arena.
Without Lee Esders (concussion), Matti Uusivirta and Lee Mitchell (knee), the Rays headed into the game on the back of a emphatic 7-4 win in Newcastle the previous night and took the initiative early on as Andrew Coburn fired home his first of two on the night short side on Vipers keeper Charlie Effinger, who would eventually turn away 33 shots.
The Vipers then levelled thanks to Dale Mahovsky, who deked his way around Christian Boucher just moments after Patrick Forsbacka had tied up the ever impressive Drew Bannister way off the puck in an infringement that went unseen by referee Andy Carson.
Despite the visitors having the advantage in the first ten minutes of the second, it was the Stingrays who once again took the lead with rookie Coburn again on the board after a turnover which Konstantin Kalmikov unselfishly layed off to the Canadian to score.
However, once again the Vipers, who visibly worked tirelessly as a team all night long, levelled, capitalising on a powerplay opportunity after Jozef Sladok had taken a wholly unnecessary rough call on John Schwarz, with Finn Patrick Forsbacka scoring on the man advantage after Kurtis Dulle had come close, but not close enough, to clearing the puck around the boards.
The Stingrays came out in the third and final period and well and truly took control of the game with Newcastle tiring, but ultimately they lacked the cutting edge that had seemingly been evident the night before. Effinger had a large part to play in keeping the Rays out though, stopping 13 third period shots, most notably making a sprawling save on a two-on-one which Matty Davies couldn't quite get a good enough connection on to force home with minutes remaining.
Danny Stewart will have been delighted with the point, particularly as his side had a clear game plan to take the extra point going into overtime. With Effinger in fine form and seemingly confident of stopping everything the Rays could throw at him, the Vipers invited the home side onto them, soaking up almost four minutes of pressure before counter attacking to strike the critical blow through defenceman Kyle Sibley on their only shot of the extra period with 57 seconds to play. Importantly, the shot clinched the Vipers first win on the road in 12..
Cloutier must regroup his troops from a disappointing but acceptable overtime loss given the 7-4 victory the previous night, although a result against Dundee tomorrow night is massive given his side are just two points off sixth placed Braehead and beginning to flag somewhat.
Rays Rating
6
FBB Three Stars
1- Drew Bannister (0+0)
2- Andrew Coburn (2+0)
3- Kurtis Dulle (0+0)
Monday, 27 December 2010
Tendler trick helps Stingrays to win in Newcastle
Newcastle Vipers 4-7 Excel Hull Stingrays
A second Jereme Tendler hat-trick of the season tonight helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to a three goal victory over bottom side Newcastle in Whitley Bay.
The Stingrays, once again without Lee Mitchell who underwent surgery on his troublesome knee during the Christmas break, found themselves 3-2 down thanks to Newcastle goals from Dale Mahovsky, Jamie Carroll and Adam Reynolds with coach Sylvain Cloutier and Tendler bagging goals for the visitors.
Jason Silverthorn's first of the night levelled the scores four and a half minutes into the second only for Mike Prpich to restore the Vipers lead six minutes later. However, with less than five minutes remaining in the period Drew Bannister bagged a timely first goal for the club, shorthanded, to equalise at four each heading into the final period.
Tendler took matters into his own hands nearly three minutes into the third, giving the Stingrays the lead for the first time before sealing his second hat-trick of the year six minutes later.
Silverthorn's second of the night, an empty net goal with 85 seconds to play, then sealed the result in favour of the Rays with Newcastle due to travel to Hull tomorrow night.
A second Jereme Tendler hat-trick of the season tonight helped the Excel Hull Stingrays to a three goal victory over bottom side Newcastle in Whitley Bay.
The Stingrays, once again without Lee Mitchell who underwent surgery on his troublesome knee during the Christmas break, found themselves 3-2 down thanks to Newcastle goals from Dale Mahovsky, Jamie Carroll and Adam Reynolds with coach Sylvain Cloutier and Tendler bagging goals for the visitors.
Jason Silverthorn's first of the night levelled the scores four and a half minutes into the second only for Mike Prpich to restore the Vipers lead six minutes later. However, with less than five minutes remaining in the period Drew Bannister bagged a timely first goal for the club, shorthanded, to equalise at four each heading into the final period.
Tendler took matters into his own hands nearly three minutes into the third, giving the Stingrays the lead for the first time before sealing his second hat-trick of the year six minutes later.
Silverthorn's second of the night, an empty net goal with 85 seconds to play, then sealed the result in favour of the Rays with Newcastle due to travel to Hull tomorrow night.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Cardiff down Rays again
Cardiff Devils 4-1 Excel Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight returned to South Wales and the scene of last month's 12-0 capitulation, and once again went down to the Cardiff Devils, this tie losing out by four goals to one.
Amazingly the Stingrays lead after 20 minutes play thanks to a fifth minute Konstantin Kalmikov shorthanded goal, however, after being out shot 26-2 that is as close to victory as Sylvain Cloutier's side would come.
Although they held that lead for more than half of the game mainly thanks to a man of the match performance from keeper Christian Boucher, a 35th minute marker from Cardiff coach Gerad Adams would end that resistance and a Jon Pelle powerplay goal two minutes later would finally give the home side the lead they deserved.
A further third period goal from Scott Matzka and another from Pelle gave the Devils a fairly comfortable 4-1 win that initially looked doubtful in a penalty strewn game.
Despite losing and being outshot 56-23, the Stingrays will leave South Wales with their dignity still in tact, unlike their last visit in the infamous 12-0 horror show.
The squad now break up for a four day Christmas break before taking to the ice against Newcastle in Whitley Bay on Monday, which is quickly followed by a home double header against Dundee and that same Newcastle side in a crucial three days for the team.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight returned to South Wales and the scene of last month's 12-0 capitulation, and once again went down to the Cardiff Devils, this tie losing out by four goals to one.
Amazingly the Stingrays lead after 20 minutes play thanks to a fifth minute Konstantin Kalmikov shorthanded goal, however, after being out shot 26-2 that is as close to victory as Sylvain Cloutier's side would come.
Although they held that lead for more than half of the game mainly thanks to a man of the match performance from keeper Christian Boucher, a 35th minute marker from Cardiff coach Gerad Adams would end that resistance and a Jon Pelle powerplay goal two minutes later would finally give the home side the lead they deserved.
A further third period goal from Scott Matzka and another from Pelle gave the Devils a fairly comfortable 4-1 win that initially looked doubtful in a penalty strewn game.
Despite losing and being outshot 56-23, the Stingrays will leave South Wales with their dignity still in tact, unlike their last visit in the infamous 12-0 horror show.
The squad now break up for a four day Christmas break before taking to the ice against Newcastle in Whitley Bay on Monday, which is quickly followed by a home double header against Dundee and that same Newcastle side in a crucial three days for the team.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Rays Challenge Cup campaign ends in defeat
Excel Hull Stingrays 0-2 Coventry Blaze
In their final Challenge Cup game of the year the Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight shut out by the Coventry Blaze, losing by two goals to nil thanks to two first period goals.
With both sides already mathematically out of the competition, the game was never going to be played with the intensity of Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final, but it did remain important for the Rays to keep up the momentum of their recent run.
However, thanks to a pair of first period goals from Aaron Nell and Luke Fulghum it was the Blaze that deservedly claimed the win to level the teams four game series at two-a-piece and end the club's cup campaign with defeat, having fired 42 shots on Christian Boucher.
The result leaves the Stingrays bottom of Challenge Cup Group B with four points, a win over Coventry and draws against Nottingham and Cardiff, three points behind the Blaze and five behind Sheffield, Cardiff and Nottingham, who continue to battle for a semi final spot.
In midweek the Stingrays return to face the Devils at the venue where they were thrashed 12-0 four weeks ago before an away game in Whitley Bay against Newcastle two days after Christmas day.
In their final Challenge Cup game of the year the Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight shut out by the Coventry Blaze, losing by two goals to nil thanks to two first period goals.
With both sides already mathematically out of the competition, the game was never going to be played with the intensity of Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final, but it did remain important for the Rays to keep up the momentum of their recent run.
However, thanks to a pair of first period goals from Aaron Nell and Luke Fulghum it was the Blaze that deservedly claimed the win to level the teams four game series at two-a-piece and end the club's cup campaign with defeat, having fired 42 shots on Christian Boucher.
The result leaves the Stingrays bottom of Challenge Cup Group B with four points, a win over Coventry and draws against Nottingham and Cardiff, three points behind the Blaze and five behind Sheffield, Cardiff and Nottingham, who continue to battle for a semi final spot.
In midweek the Stingrays return to face the Devils at the venue where they were thrashed 12-0 four weeks ago before an away game in Whitley Bay against Newcastle two days after Christmas day.
Friday, 17 December 2010
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Stingrays battle to second win over Clan
Excel Hull Stingrays 4-2 Braehead Clan
After having their three game win streak ended by Dundee on Sunday, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back with a 4-2 victory over the Braehead Clan that puts them just one point behind tonight's sixth placed Scottish opponents with four games in hand.
In a largely quiet opening period, the Stingrays took the lead through their first real opportunity as Andrew Coburn netted on a powerplay attempt. The rookie Canadian, who has improved no end in his first year as a pro, luckily netted having fired a low shot in off a Clan defenceman on a man advantage that the Stingrays rarely looked like scoring on.
Although the Clan barely troubled Christian Boucher in the Stingrays net during the opening stanza, former NHLer Jordan Krestanovich did think he had put the puck past Boucher 11 minutes in, having been left all alone in front of the Rays keeper, only for the referee Andy Carson to confirm the puck had not crossed the line.
The Stingrays continued to grow into the first period and ended it well on top, with Trevor Read, who probably enjoyed his best game in a Rays jersey yet, coming very close to doubling the home sides lead, pinging one off the crossbar.
The second would prove to be a mixed affair with the Rays heavily dominating the early stages before Bruce Richardson's side found some jump to dominate the game in their favour.
Two minutes and 22 seconds in Jereme Tendler netted yet another brilliant shorthanded goal. Intercepting a pass well in his own zone, the Stingrays leading scorer chipped the puck between two Clan defencemen on the blueline before expertly outwaiting JF Perras to find the twine and double the lead.
Konstantin Kalmikov followed that up quickly with a goal on his return to action, using his first class shot to beat a surprised Perras, as the it looked as though the home team side would run away with the victory.
It proved to be a little more difficult than that however, as Dominic Noel, easily the Clans standout player, fired home on a massive rebound from Boucher on 12 minutes. Just moments earlier gritty Braehead forward Kyle Bruce had agitated the Stingrays, and most notably Jozef Sladok, having gone in late on Boucher, and it could be argued that the big Slovak was pre-occupied with revenge as Noel fired home.
The goal energised Richardson and the Clan, as they turned the tables on the Stingrays by penning them in for much of the remainder of the period. Thankfully for Sylvain Cloutier, the Rays D held steady preventing any further damage to their lead, as they went in with a two goal advantage.
They did narrow that lead to one just under five and a half minutes into the final period as Ryan Campbell wickedly redirected a point shot from Jon Landry but that is as close as they would come as the Stingrays were against forced to cling on as the Clan pushed for the leveler.
With the Clan spurning a couple of chances, Jason Silverthorn roofed his shot high over the shoulder of Perras to end the game as a contest at 4-2 with minutes to play.
A meaningless final Challenge Cup fixture against Coventry follows at the Hull Arena on Saturday before the team go to Cardiff on Wednesday hoping to fare a little better than they did in the 12-0 thrashing last time they visited South Wales.
After having their three game win streak ended by Dundee on Sunday, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back with a 4-2 victory over the Braehead Clan that puts them just one point behind tonight's sixth placed Scottish opponents with four games in hand.
In a largely quiet opening period, the Stingrays took the lead through their first real opportunity as Andrew Coburn netted on a powerplay attempt. The rookie Canadian, who has improved no end in his first year as a pro, luckily netted having fired a low shot in off a Clan defenceman on a man advantage that the Stingrays rarely looked like scoring on.
Although the Clan barely troubled Christian Boucher in the Stingrays net during the opening stanza, former NHLer Jordan Krestanovich did think he had put the puck past Boucher 11 minutes in, having been left all alone in front of the Rays keeper, only for the referee Andy Carson to confirm the puck had not crossed the line.
The Stingrays continued to grow into the first period and ended it well on top, with Trevor Read, who probably enjoyed his best game in a Rays jersey yet, coming very close to doubling the home sides lead, pinging one off the crossbar.
The second would prove to be a mixed affair with the Rays heavily dominating the early stages before Bruce Richardson's side found some jump to dominate the game in their favour.
Two minutes and 22 seconds in Jereme Tendler netted yet another brilliant shorthanded goal. Intercepting a pass well in his own zone, the Stingrays leading scorer chipped the puck between two Clan defencemen on the blueline before expertly outwaiting JF Perras to find the twine and double the lead.
Konstantin Kalmikov followed that up quickly with a goal on his return to action, using his first class shot to beat a surprised Perras, as the it looked as though the home team side would run away with the victory.
It proved to be a little more difficult than that however, as Dominic Noel, easily the Clans standout player, fired home on a massive rebound from Boucher on 12 minutes. Just moments earlier gritty Braehead forward Kyle Bruce had agitated the Stingrays, and most notably Jozef Sladok, having gone in late on Boucher, and it could be argued that the big Slovak was pre-occupied with revenge as Noel fired home.
The goal energised Richardson and the Clan, as they turned the tables on the Stingrays by penning them in for much of the remainder of the period. Thankfully for Sylvain Cloutier, the Rays D held steady preventing any further damage to their lead, as they went in with a two goal advantage.
They did narrow that lead to one just under five and a half minutes into the final period as Ryan Campbell wickedly redirected a point shot from Jon Landry but that is as close as they would come as the Stingrays were against forced to cling on as the Clan pushed for the leveler.
With the Clan spurning a couple of chances, Jason Silverthorn roofed his shot high over the shoulder of Perras to end the game as a contest at 4-2 with minutes to play.
A meaningless final Challenge Cup fixture against Coventry follows at the Hull Arena on Saturday before the team go to Cardiff on Wednesday hoping to fare a little better than they did in the 12-0 thrashing last time they visited South Wales.
Rays Rating
7.5
FBB Three Stars
1- Trevor Read (0+0)
2- Jereme Tendler (1+0)
3- Sylvain Cloutier (0+2)
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