Stingrays frustrated and frustrating in home defeat to Dundee

Hull Stingrays 1-3 Dundee Stars

The Hull Stingrays put in comfortably their worst home performance of the young season tonight against Gardiner Conference rivals the Dundee Stars, going down 3-1 in a scrappy, incoherent affair at the Hull Arena.

With a home double header on the cards and Hull Fair in town, the Rays started poorly in front of a crowd of just 581, immediately getting into penalty trouble for their over enthusiasm early on.

Sylvain Cloutier, Tomas Valecko and Jeff Smith all making their way to the penalty box in a penalty strewn first period that also saw Mike Wirll, Jack Watkins, Tristan Harper and Matt Baxter sit for the visitors. Rangy defenceman Smith received his minutes in the box - a two plus two for roughing - having again stood up for Ben Bowns in the Rays net after Wirll bumped the rookie Elite League netminder.

Unfortunately from an entertainment perspective, both sides powerplay units were ineffective throughout the game in what turned out to be a low-scoring affair and the Rays would go on to kill their early penalty trouble.

The game would be nine minutes old before the first real chance came the way of the home side, Jereme Tendler ghosting between the Stars D only to be denied on the breakaway by netminder Nic Riopel - who was key to the Stars victory over the Rays earlier in the season and would again come up big.

A burst of energy from Domnic Osman 13 minutes in then saw Janis Ozolins somehow nudge the puck home on Riopel's near side for his sixth of the season and a 1-0 Rays lead.

Three minutes later though the Stars hit back, Bill Bagron netting past Bowns to tie the scores up after the Rays gave away possession in mid-ice shortly after a face-off.

After one period both sides had struggled to take control of the game and things didn't improve in the second as the scrappy, disjointed play continued - though somehow there would have to be one winner come the end of play.

It would be the Dundee Stars who were more clinical and controlled when it mattered in what was quickly turning out to be a poor game.

The Stars game winning goal came shortly after Jason Silverthorn joined Tendler in missing a breakaway after 38 minutes, former Braehead forward Wirll - who netted a goal and two assists on the night - legally, according to referee James Ashton, re-directing the puck home with his foot from close in after Bagron undressed a Rays defenceman in the corner with just seven seconds remaining in the second.

Even at 1-1 the Stars were happy to sit back and play their defensive game by relying on the skills of Riopel - who, while very very good down low, did produce some big rebounds which the Rays failed to capitalise on time after time - and that unsurprisingly continued in the third period with the visitors leading 2-1.

The Scottish side fired just five shots on Bowns in the final period - perhaps proof of their defensive mindset - with 14 going the way of the Stars keeper but, in truth, the Rays struggles going forward meant little more was required.

Despite a period of urgency from the home side 49 minutes in, a somewhat tepid, uninspiring performance overall saw the Stars return to Dundee with two crucial points in the Gardiner Conference and their second win in two games against the Rays. Sami Ryhanen netting a empty net goal with just four seconds remaining for good measure.

Offensively, the Rays obviously struggled to penetrate Riopel as was the case last week in the first two periods against Garrett Zemlak and the Braehead Clan. While the line of Ozolins, Osman and the ever improving Matty Davies was again the biggest threat going forward, constantly using their speed to cause problems and create chances, even that threat wasn't what it has been in previous weeks. Passing and control of the puck was a problem throughout the lineup but particularly so for the other offensive unit of Cloutier, Silverthorn and Tendler - who didn't appear to click at all this evening.

Defensively, the Rays seem to be improved, with fewer mistakes, better positioning on the whole and less reliance on Bowns to make big stops to keep them in the game.

Still, after periods of offensive brilliance against Coventry and Braehead last week, the Rays entered this weekend searching for that 60 minute performance throughout the roster but struggled to muster 5 minutes of  true superior, controlled play.

Of what was probably the club's worst showing this season Rays owner and assistant coach said:

"I am very disappointed. Too many guys did not show up. I am not happy."

Cloutier's side now move on to the daunting task of taking on the Belfast Giants - who tonight defeated the Nottingham Panthers in Northern Ireland - at the Hull Arena tomorrow night (6pm) which is perhaps all the more daunting given tonight's showing.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Ben Bowns

2 - Janis Ozolins

3 - Matty Davies

Match Highlights: Coventry Blaze 6-5 Hull Stingrays (PS)

Match Highlights: Hull Stingrays 4-5 Braehead Clan (PS)

Offensive blitz helps Stingrays to shootout point... again

Hull Stingrays 4-5 Braehead Clan (PS)

The Hull Stingrays tonight bettered the five goal, ten minute offensive blitz they produced to collect a point in Coventry last night, coming back from 3-0 down after two woeful periods to net four third period goals in 6 minutes and 29 seconds and lead 4-3 against the Braehead Clan before eventually going down 5-4 on penalty shots.

A dominating opening to the game from the Clan set the tone for the opening two periods as the visitors held onto the puck for the majority of the opening seven minutes though Dominic Osman ripped a shot off the crossbar eight minutes in with the Rays first real glimpse of Garrett Zemlak's net.

That was as good as it got for the home side in a woefully poor opening two periods.

The Rays continued the second as they had finished the first - in which they were outshot 13-8 - Ben Bowns saving the day on countless occasions, most notably on a 29th minute penalty kill with a miraculous sprawling save with the back of his glove hand.

Having dominated the first half of the game, Jordan Krestanovich's side then finally got the break they were looking for.

Rays defenceman Tomas Valecko losing his stick while unsuccessfully attempting to prevent Robert Farmer from ghosting around the net, before the Brit - who has recently returned from a stint in Kazakhstan - found himself at the hash marks and backhanded a weak shot low underneath Bowns for an opening goal that the Rays keeper, despite his heroics, would want back.

A scuffed pass on the blueline from Jeff Smith then allowed Farmer in on a breakaway which somehow found its way home on 36.05 despite a hook from a Rays player that prevented the Clan forward from getting a true shot away.

Seconds later and the Scottish side looked to have the points in the bag, adding a third through Bobby Chaumont which lead the Rays to call a second period time out having been outshot 21-10. Somewhat surprisingly, the Clans trio of goals had all come courtesy of their second line while topscorer and stalwart Jade Galbraith sat in the penalty box on a ten minute abuse of official call.

After two periods the Rays appeared dead and buried and the atmosphere at the Hull Arena reflected it.

What happened during the second intermission very few will know but the difference between the Rays first and second period and the opening minutes of the third was night and day.

Jereme Tendler's sixth of the season just 49 seconds into the third on a big rebound from a Jason Silverthorn shot was as much as surprise as it was a relief after the Rays very rarely looked like scoring at all in the first 40 minutes.

Having pulled a crucial early goal back,  the home side suddenly had the jump in intensity and puck possession on their Gardiner Conference rivals, and Ryan Hand - who had desperately been looking to inspire his side in the fighting stakes in the second stanza - pounced on a loose puck at the blueline and fired home his second of the season on 42.41 to do exactly that - climbing the plexi before letting out a determined roar to fans and players alike.

As they were the night before in Coventry, the Stingrays were now flying forward and they leveled the game three minutes later, captain Kurtis Dulle - who must have logged close to or more than 30 minutes of ice-time and was determined to get the puck forward throughout the onslaught - lifting the puck past Zemlak who was scrambling to freeze it way out of his crease.

Minutes later Janis Ozolins rifled a shot high past the Clan keeper on a two-on-one with Matty Davies at 47.18 to complete an unbelievable comeback, and second offensively explosion in two games, sending Stingrays fans into raptures.

The Clan composed themselves during a 30 second timeout following the goal and launched their counter-offensive, returning close to the levels of earlier control as the home players and fans became tetchy and nervy at undoing the hard work of the early third period.

Having controlled the game for near on 50 minutes, Jade Galbraith prodded home an equaliser and sent the game to overtime with less than seven minutes left rescuing at least a point for the Glasgow based side.

The visitors hit the iron with their first attack of the overtime period and enjoyed a powerplay in the closing stages but could not force a winner as overtime fly by.

On to penalty shots and Braehead player-coach Jordan Krestanovich and Ash Goldie - the Clans big summer signing who was largely anonymous throughout the 60 - confidently fired past Bowns in the shootout to seal the extra point after Ozolins and Osman failed to test Zemlak on their attempts, handing the Clan the extra point and condemning the Stingrays to their second shootout loss in two nights.

The third period transformation tonight and second period blowout last night, should undoubtedly give the Rays and Sylvain Cloutier massive confidence going forward. After a poor two periods, the Rays turned the game completely on its head in a fashion rarely, if ever, seen during the club's ten years of exsistence. The Clan were swimming completely against the tide for the opening seven and a bit minutes of the third, and genuinely struggled to deal with the Rays offence - as the case will have likely have been during the second period against the Blaze last night.

Unlike previous seasons, the club finally appears to have scoring options across the forward lines and, generally, don't have problems hitting the twine - which can only been good. In net, Bowns will perhaps want one or two of the Clans goals back, though he was let down by his defence on a couple of occasions, and will again feel hard done by in the lottery of a shootout but once again stood on his head when it mattered - keeping the Rays in the game in the first two periods.

Coaches often bemoan their players ability to put in a 60 minute performance and that seems particularly true in the case of Cloutier's side - who will continue to search for the solution to the 60 minute puzzle. Of the second shootout defeat in two games he said:

“I am disappointed we did not get the two points but I was proud with the way we battled back in the third period. We then made a silly mistake and they made us pay. We will regroup this week. That is three games in a row where we have given up a lead but have taken a point in a shoot-out. We need to start finding a way to win those games. We are better than that.”

The Rays face a home league double header next weekend taking on the Dundee Stars on Saturday before they face the Belfast Giants for the first time this season on Sunday.

FBB Three Stars
1. Ben Bowns
2. Janis Ozolins
3. Kurtis Dulle

Five goal second period helps Rays to Challenge Cup point

Coventry Blaze 6-5 Hull Stingrays (CC)

A five goal, ten minute second period offensive blitz was not enough to help the Hull Stingrays to their second victory of the 12/13 Challenge Cup campaign as they went down 6-5 to the Coventry Blaze after a sudden death penalty shootout.

Gerome Giudice gave the home side the perfect start with a double after 12.35 and they carried that lead into the second period.

The Rays offensive onslaught - the likes of which has rarely been seen - then began with Kurtis Dulle (PP), Jereme Tendler (SH), Dominic Osman and Jason Silverthorn netting in just 3 minutes and 37 seconds putting the visitors comfortably in control at 4-2 before Janis Ozolins (PP) added a fifth minutes later.

Perhaps crucially, Giudice then completed his hat-trick just 42 seconds later to close the second period out at 5-3 taking the edge off the Rays lead.

Two minor penalties from Osman (holding) and Tendler (delay of game) as well as a too many men call then cost the Rays and allowed the Blaze to level just 3.40 into the final stanza - Brad Leeb and Mike Schutte adding Coventry's second and third powerplay goals of the night.

Those early third period goals turned out to be crucial as the game progressed into overtime, penalty shots and then sudden death penalty shots at 5-5 before Brad Leeb scored the decisive shot for home side - who snatch the extra Challenge Cup point.

The Rays take a point from their high scoring Challenge Cup adventure - giving them three points from four fixtures - and they then return to East Yorkshire to face Gardiner Conference rivals the Braehead Clan in the Elite League tomorrow night.

Match Highlights: Hull Stingrays 3-6 Sheffield Steelers (CC)

Steelers hand Stingrays Challenge Cup defeat

Hull Stingrays 3-6 Sheffield Steelers

The Hull Stingrays tonight fell to 1-2 in Challenge Cup Group B as they were powerless to prevent a 6-3 loss to Yorkshire rivals and league leaders the Sheffield Steelers at the Hull Arena.

In the club's first meeting since that memorable EIHL Playoff Quarter Final at Ice Sheffield, the visitors rested number one netminder John Decaro, instead starting British back-up Geoff Woolhouse - and it was he who was indirectly responsible for the Stingrays taking the lead very early on.

Chaos in the Steelers backline behind Woolhouse's net and then terrible indecision around it somehow saw Jereme Tendler credited with a goal that found its way home after just 21 seconds.

The Challenge Cup victory aside, Sylvain Cloutier's side seems to have struggled on the powerplay all season long and the Rays then spurned two early man advantage opportunities before a horrible giveaway in their own zone saw former NHLer Steven Goertzen level after 14.23.

Nevertheless, despite that relatively rank powerplay, the Rays were able to capitalise on a Jonathan Phillips hooking penalty as time ticked down on the first. Cale Tanaka reacting quickest to a loose puck to fire a one-timer past Woolhouse and restore a somewhat fortuitous lead for the home side - who looked second best for periods against a well drilled Steelers unit.

The South Yorkshire side improved even more in the second period using their speed, strength, slick passing and, more to the point, relentless pressing and forechecking to force the Rays D into errors.

They levelled 1.31 into the second after captain Kurtis Dulle unluckily fanned on a clearance right on front of netminder Ben Bowns and the Steelers Colin Shields - who decisively fired past the keeper.

Further pressure a minute later then saw Tomas Valecko pressed into the corner and lose the puck, allowing the Steelers to gain possession and Phillips to take advantage of some desperate Stingrays defending by slotting home. The Rays were now clearly flagging defensively and the Steelers were happy to press on, scoring a fourth through Tylor Michel on a powerplay goal that also saw the Steelers pull Woolhouse for the extra skater with a delayed penalty called on Dulle.

The first and only chink in the armour of netminder Bowns so far this season then followed on 37.41 as Sheffield extended their lead to 5-2 through Jeff Legue - who squeezed the puck home short side while advancing at speed despite the British netminder covering his front post. The minor blemish is just that however, as Bowns has been outstanding for the Rays and has more than proved his worth in the opening month of the Elite League season.

After a difficult second period the Stingrays started the third well, topscorer Tendler narrowly missing the re-direct at the backpost on a Dominic Osman shot-turned-pass to pull the deficit back to two.

Osman - who recorded a hat-trick in last weekend's home fixture against Edinburgh to open up his account for the season - then did pull one back, powering a shot off the bar and in after some hard work and brilliant set up play from Janis Ozolins - who worked tirelessly all night.

While the Rays performance did improve as the third progressed, the Steelers had made their mark on the game with a dominant second period and added a sixth goal through Michel late on to seal a deserved 6-3 win.

The Stingrays - who tonight appeared to be without Matty Davies for the majority of the game and Ryan Hand for large periods - will be disappointed with the fashion of the loss - particularly given their performances against Nottingham and Cardiff in the Challenge Cup. However, the Steelers are clearly one of the best sides in the league and made it incredibly difficult for the Stingrays to play tonight - particularly offensively.

Of the defeat, coach Cloutier said:

"We got off to a great start, we had a little collapse in the second and I thought we picked it up again in the third. Take the second period away - we did not play well and it hurt us - I thought we did a decent jpb. I don't think it was a 6-3 game, we competed and battled with them. But we will regroup and get ready for the weekend."

Cloutier and his side return to Challenge Cup action on Saturday - travelling to Coventry to take on the Blaze - before returning to the league with a home fixture against Braehead on Sunday.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Janis Ozolins

2 - Ben Bowns

3 - Cale Tanaka

Caps gain revenge with shootout victory

Edinburgh Capitals 4-3 Hull Stingrays (SO)

The Hull Stingrays followed up last night's 6-3 home triumph over the Edinburgh Capitals with a 4-3 shootout loss in the return fixture in Scotland tonight.

With Capitals starting netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky sitting out an automatic five game suspension following the match penalty he received for kicking in last night's fixture - Craig Holland started for the Capitals and the Rays soon pounced on the inexperienced stopper.

Despite firing just four shots on the Scottish side in the whole of the first period, Sylvain Cloutier's side lead early on thanks to two goals from Latvian Janis Ozolins - who's first minute opener was assisted by Shane Lovdahl for his second early set-up in two games.

Unsurprisingly, given they outshot the visitors 13-4 in the opening period, the Scottish side pulled one back, Michal Dobron notching a powerplay goal 11.31 into a first period which also saw Rays defenceman Jeff Smith sit a period on the sidelines having suffered an injury.

In a chippy game filled with penalties, Rene Jarolin then bagged a shorthanded and powerplay marker in the second to give the Caps a 3-2 advantage.

Chris Sykes' first goal in Stingrays colours tied the scores late in the second before the Rays finally settled - outshooting the Caps 10-8. The equalising goal would send the game into overtime and then penalty shots before Dobron popped up in the first round of the sudden death shootout to claim the extra point for the home side.

It's a disappointing but somewhat predictable end to the weekend for the Stingrays - who seemed slow to get going on Saturday night against what is certainly a much-improved Edinburgh side. Nevertheless, regardless of last night's result they fired just 24 shots on the Caps untested keeper and took eight minor penalties - conceding two goals in the process as well as a shorthanded goal on the man advantage.

Still, three points from four available isn't the worst outcome for Cloutier and his side, though the weekend certainly proves there are areas to work on despite impressive showings Challenge Cup against Nottingham Panthers and Cardiff Devils

The squad must now ready themselves for a home Challenge Cup fixtures against the Sheffield Steelers on Wednesday night before weekend fixtures in Coventry and at home to the Braehead Clan on Sunday night.

Match Highlights: Hull Stingrays 6-3 Edinburgh Capitals

Osman wonder goal and hat-trick seals first league win

Hull Stingrays 6-3 Edinburgh Capitals

Dominic Osman recorded a hat-trick - including a sensational individual game winning goal - and Shane Lovdahl made his long-awaiting Hull Stingrays debut as the Rays tonight battled to a hard fought 6-3 win over the Edinburgh Capitals - their second home victory in three games.

Pre-game the Rays were buoyed by the arrival of American defenceman Lovdahl, who finally joined up with the squad after VISA issues delayed his journey, boosting the home side to full-strength for the first time this season. Ryan Hand reverting from defence to his preferred position as forward as a result.

Despite pressure from the visitors in the opening moments which saw topscorer Rene Jarolin ring the post, the Stingrays led after just 1.43 - Matty Davies tapping home a two-on-one feed from Janis Ozolins with Lovdahl notching a secondary assist on his first shift of a standout debut.

The Capitals are a much improved side on their 11/12 showing and they made things difficult for the home side in the opening two periods retaining possession well, even if they didn't regularly test Ben Bowns in the Rays net.

Nevertheless, for all their hard work, the visitors fell two goals behind after 13 minutes as Dominic Osman clinically fired a one-timer high past Tomas Hiadlovsky - Ozolins picking up his second assist of the game.

Martin Cingel then pulled a goal back with a neat individual goal coming in from the corner less than a minute later to silence the home crowd before leveling with his third of the year on the powerplay 3.35 into a relatively uneventful second period.

Ozolins and Osman then switched places as provider and goalscorer less than 3 minutes into the third - the American teeing up the Latvian to bullet a one-timer home in an almost carbon copy of the goal scored by Osman earlier in the evening to give the Rays a 3-2 lead.

The Scots equalised for the second time minutes later, Michal Dobron firing home a powerplay goal before Osman's moment of brilliance turned determination turned luck. The Michigan native chipping the puck around a defenceman, burning through the remaining D before somehow getting releasing a shot on net from the floor for what turned out to be a sensational game winning goal that trickled home.

A scramble around the Capitals net saw the Rays awarded a penalty shot on 53.46 after Daniel McIntyre covered up the puck in the crease. Moments later during the same incident, netminder Hiadlovsky was ejected on a match penalty - which may keep him out of tomorrow's return fixture in Edinburgh - for kicking out at a Stingray with his skate in the ensuing melee.

Back-up Craig Holland stepped in to the breach but was immediately forced to fish the puck out of his net after player-coach Sylvain Cloutier fired home on the resulting penalty shot for a 5-3 lead

There was still time for Osman to complete his hat-trick - the Rays second in two home games - as he prodded home a powerplay goal from close range in-turn complete the club's first victory in the Elite League Gardiner Conference.

This was by no means a complete performance by the Stingrays, particularly given their efforts against Nottingham and Cardiff at home in previous weeks, however, Cloutier will undoubtedly be happy to have claimed an important two points following the loss in Dundee last week.

Standout performances from hat-trick hero Dominic Osman - who had yet to record a point this season until tonight - goalscorer-turned-creator Janis Ozolins - who bagged a goal and three assists - and debutant Shane Lovdahl - who impressed on all fronts despite arriving from the US today - will also be pleasing, even if the team performance on the whole wasn't as polished as it could have been. Meanwhile netminder Bowns was again solid and Hand proved useful and entertaining in equal measure having been unleashed from his duties as a defenceman.

Of the win, Stingrays owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan said:

"It was a really good win and we played well. We have to be winning our home games against the teams in our Conference. We want to make Hull Arena a fortress and make teams not relishing coming here. We have made a good start at home. Edinburgh played well and will surprise a few teams this season but I always thought if we kept playing our game we would win it. I thought Shane had a really good game, considering he only got here at 3.30pm. He moves the puck well and he handles the puck well. He is a smart player and a battler. He is going to be a good addition to the team."

The Rays now face a return fixture tomorrow night in Edinburgh hoping to complete their first four point weekend of the 12/13 Elite League campaign.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Dominic Osman

2 - Shane Lovdahl

3 - Janis Ozolins