Monday, 3 February 2014
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Point in Cardiff ensures Stingrays retain sixth place
Cardiff Devils 2-1 Hull Stingrays
The Hull Stingrays tonight ensured they claimed three points from an available four this weekend as they took the Cardiff Devils to overtime and then a shootout before falling by two goals to one on sudden death penalty shots.
The Stingrays - without injured forward Jason Silverthorn - fell behind with just 28 seconds remaining in the first period thanks to a Mac Faulkner goal but Matty Davies struck with 91 seconds remaining in the second period to tie the game up.
A goalless but physical third period followed before the tie went into overtime and then penalty shots.
First round shootout goals from Jereme Tendler and Jake Morrisette and misses from Guillaume Doucet, Max Birbraer, Carl Lauzon and Tomas Kurka then saw penalty shots progress into sudden death.
Tendler and Morrisette missed their sudden death attempts before a miss from Doucet - who produced a massive shootout goal to give the Stingrays the shootout win in Cardiff earlier in the season - allowed Birbraer to claim the extra point for a resurgent Cardiff side.
The incredibly hard fought and valuable point for the Stingrays narrows the deficit between them and Cardiff in eighth to just one point.
Following Coventry's win in Nottingham tonight the Stingrays are now just three points behind the fifth place Panthers, however, they are also now equal on 40 points with the Blaze in sixth place in a tightly packed Elite League.
Nevertheless, shootout loss ensures the gap between the Rays and Fife Flyers in ninth spot in the Elite League is 12 points - down from 13 points last night after Fife's triumph over Edinburgh this evening.
Sylvain Cloutier's side return to action live on Premier Sports on Wednesday night against the Flyers at Hull Arena before two Erhardt Conference fixtures in Belfast and at home to Nottingham next weekend.
The Hull Stingrays tonight ensured they claimed three points from an available four this weekend as they took the Cardiff Devils to overtime and then a shootout before falling by two goals to one on sudden death penalty shots.
The Stingrays - without injured forward Jason Silverthorn - fell behind with just 28 seconds remaining in the first period thanks to a Mac Faulkner goal but Matty Davies struck with 91 seconds remaining in the second period to tie the game up.
A goalless but physical third period followed before the tie went into overtime and then penalty shots.
First round shootout goals from Jereme Tendler and Jake Morrisette and misses from Guillaume Doucet, Max Birbraer, Carl Lauzon and Tomas Kurka then saw penalty shots progress into sudden death.
Tendler and Morrisette missed their sudden death attempts before a miss from Doucet - who produced a massive shootout goal to give the Stingrays the shootout win in Cardiff earlier in the season - allowed Birbraer to claim the extra point for a resurgent Cardiff side.
The incredibly hard fought and valuable point for the Stingrays narrows the deficit between them and Cardiff in eighth to just one point.
Following Coventry's win in Nottingham tonight the Stingrays are now just three points behind the fifth place Panthers, however, they are also now equal on 40 points with the Blaze in sixth place in a tightly packed Elite League.
Nevertheless, shootout loss ensures the gap between the Rays and Fife Flyers in ninth spot in the Elite League is 12 points - down from 13 points last night after Fife's triumph over Edinburgh this evening.
Sylvain Cloutier's side return to action live on Premier Sports on Wednesday night against the Flyers at Hull Arena before two Erhardt Conference fixtures in Belfast and at home to Nottingham next weekend.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Stingrays stop the rot with first victory in three games
Hull Stingrays 4-1 Fife Flyers
The Hull Stingrays tonight battled to their first victory in three games and third win of the season against the Fife Flyers, defeating their Gardiner Conference rivals by four goals to one at the Hull Arena.
Doubles from Guillaume Doucet and Jereme Tendler would seal the victory for the Stingrays in a scrappy and chippy affair all around.
Martin Ondrej set the tone for what would be a penalty strewn first period dishing out a needless facewash to a Flyer just 18 seconds in after his opponent came in towards netminder Ben Bowns after a whistle.
Constant pest Jordan Fulton would then level things up with a slashing penalty on 39 seconds and would take a further slashing penalty three minutes later to ensure he sat four of the opening six minutes. Overall, referee Neil Wilson - who struggled to control the game early on - distributed 20 minutes of minor penalties in the opening period - ensuring practically the whole period was played on special teams.
That, of course, was not necessarily Wilson's fault as there was a clear undercurrent of cheap niggles from both sides. Indeed, on one shift in particular Flyer enforcer Matt Nickerson did appear to turn his attentions to Jeff Smith - whom he fought earlier in the season - however the Stingrays captain didn't appear interested in discussing any potential re-match.
Ultimately, the lengthy first period - thanks to the sheer number of penalty stoppages - passed without a goal, however, despite losing alternate captain Jason Silverthorn to a first period injury, it would the Stingrays just 1.09 of second period to open the scoring.
An interference penalty on Derek Roehl late in the first period carried over allowing the Stingrays to score the only powerplay goal of the game on 14 attempts between the two sides as Doucet reacted quickest to a rebound which fell his way in the slot to beat Kevin Regan in the Flyers net.
Less than five minutes later the Flyers would equalise through a three-on-two, as a cross ice pass from Roehl jumped over the stick of defenceman Ondrej and fell straight to Ned Lukacevic - who beat Bowns at the backpost.
The Stingrays outshot their opponents 15-6 in the second period despite having to kill three penalties to the Flyers none and Carl Lauzon - who put in a great 60 minute shift for the Stingrays - came closest to restoring the Rays lead as he rang a shot off the post following a trademark individual effort.
Less than a minute before the end of the second period the Stingrays would take an important lead as Kyle Mariani charged the puck into the zone - taking a Flyer out with him - before feeding the puck to Doucet - who netted his second goal of the evening and seventh goal in five games against the Flyers this season after going forehand, backhand.
In contrast to the first period, third and final period passed with just four minor penalties as the Flyers offence tried but failed to find the net - as has been their main problem this season condemning them to their third loss in five games against Sylvain Clotuier's side this season.
Jereme Tendler - who was the subject of a transfer bid from the Sheffield Steelers during the week - added two late empty net goals to complete what was far from a perfect Stingrays performance but was certainly the perfect result and perfect tonic for a club that had lost three games in a row - having previously won six on the bounce.
The victory maintains the Stingrays sixth place and their slender one point advantage over the Coventry Blaze in seventh and two point advantage over the Cardiff Devils. Perhaps most encouraging, the win extends the Stingrays lead over Fife - in ninth and the final playoff spot - to an massive 13 points with just two months of the season and 15 games remaining.
The Rays remain atop the Gardiner Conference on 33 points, four points ahead of the Dundee Stars in second - having played four more games - and five points ahead of the Braehead Clan in third - having played two more fixtures.
They face the Cardiff Devils on Sunday night in South Wales before taking on Fife at the Hull Arena for the second time in four days on Wednesday at the revised time of 7pm - live on Premier Sports
The Hull Stingrays tonight battled to their first victory in three games and third win of the season against the Fife Flyers, defeating their Gardiner Conference rivals by four goals to one at the Hull Arena.
Doubles from Guillaume Doucet and Jereme Tendler would seal the victory for the Stingrays in a scrappy and chippy affair all around.
Martin Ondrej set the tone for what would be a penalty strewn first period dishing out a needless facewash to a Flyer just 18 seconds in after his opponent came in towards netminder Ben Bowns after a whistle.
Constant pest Jordan Fulton would then level things up with a slashing penalty on 39 seconds and would take a further slashing penalty three minutes later to ensure he sat four of the opening six minutes. Overall, referee Neil Wilson - who struggled to control the game early on - distributed 20 minutes of minor penalties in the opening period - ensuring practically the whole period was played on special teams.
That, of course, was not necessarily Wilson's fault as there was a clear undercurrent of cheap niggles from both sides. Indeed, on one shift in particular Flyer enforcer Matt Nickerson did appear to turn his attentions to Jeff Smith - whom he fought earlier in the season - however the Stingrays captain didn't appear interested in discussing any potential re-match.
Ultimately, the lengthy first period - thanks to the sheer number of penalty stoppages - passed without a goal, however, despite losing alternate captain Jason Silverthorn to a first period injury, it would the Stingrays just 1.09 of second period to open the scoring.
An interference penalty on Derek Roehl late in the first period carried over allowing the Stingrays to score the only powerplay goal of the game on 14 attempts between the two sides as Doucet reacted quickest to a rebound which fell his way in the slot to beat Kevin Regan in the Flyers net.
Less than five minutes later the Flyers would equalise through a three-on-two, as a cross ice pass from Roehl jumped over the stick of defenceman Ondrej and fell straight to Ned Lukacevic - who beat Bowns at the backpost.
The Stingrays outshot their opponents 15-6 in the second period despite having to kill three penalties to the Flyers none and Carl Lauzon - who put in a great 60 minute shift for the Stingrays - came closest to restoring the Rays lead as he rang a shot off the post following a trademark individual effort.
Less than a minute before the end of the second period the Stingrays would take an important lead as Kyle Mariani charged the puck into the zone - taking a Flyer out with him - before feeding the puck to Doucet - who netted his second goal of the evening and seventh goal in five games against the Flyers this season after going forehand, backhand.
In contrast to the first period, third and final period passed with just four minor penalties as the Flyers offence tried but failed to find the net - as has been their main problem this season condemning them to their third loss in five games against Sylvain Clotuier's side this season.
Jereme Tendler - who was the subject of a transfer bid from the Sheffield Steelers during the week - added two late empty net goals to complete what was far from a perfect Stingrays performance but was certainly the perfect result and perfect tonic for a club that had lost three games in a row - having previously won six on the bounce.
The victory maintains the Stingrays sixth place and their slender one point advantage over the Coventry Blaze in seventh and two point advantage over the Cardiff Devils. Perhaps most encouraging, the win extends the Stingrays lead over Fife - in ninth and the final playoff spot - to an massive 13 points with just two months of the season and 15 games remaining.
The Rays remain atop the Gardiner Conference on 33 points, four points ahead of the Dundee Stars in second - having played four more games - and five points ahead of the Braehead Clan in third - having played two more fixtures.
They face the Cardiff Devils on Sunday night in South Wales before taking on Fife at the Hull Arena for the second time in four days on Wednesday at the revised time of 7pm - live on Premier Sports
FBB Three Stars
1. Carl Lauzon (0+1)
2. Ben Bowns (28 saves)
3. Guillaume Doucet (2+0)
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Panthers come from behind to defeat Stingrays
Nottingham Panthers 6-4 Hull Stingrays
The Hull Stingrays tonight fell agonisingly short of a famous victory in Nottingham, leading the Panthers 4-2 after 30 minutes only to lose 6-4 to the reigning Elite League champions.
Sylvain Cloutier's side held an unlikely 3-2 lead into the first intermission thanks to a Carl Lauzon double and a Jereme Tendler goal, with Nottingham's markers coming from Matt Ryan and David Clarke.
The Rays extended their lead to two goals on 23.56 as Guillaume Doucet notched a powerplay goal, however, the Panthers comeback 10 minutes later as Robert Lachowicz narrowed the deficit to one goal.
Crucially, Clarke then popped up for the second time in the match and levelled the scores with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
The Stingrays - who were outshot 43-23 overall - were able to fire just five shots on Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski in the final period as Lachowicz recorded the game winning goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the game before Petr Kalus added a sixth with less than 30 seconds remaining.
The defeat is the Stingrays third in a row following their seven game win streak and Cloutier will be hoping to halt losing run with a big weekend coming up next week against the Cardiff Devils and Fife Flyers - who both rivals for the final couple of playoff spots.
Sylvain Cloutier's side held an unlikely 3-2 lead into the first intermission thanks to a Carl Lauzon double and a Jereme Tendler goal, with Nottingham's markers coming from Matt Ryan and David Clarke.
The Rays extended their lead to two goals on 23.56 as Guillaume Doucet notched a powerplay goal, however, the Panthers comeback 10 minutes later as Robert Lachowicz narrowed the deficit to one goal.
Crucially, Clarke then popped up for the second time in the match and levelled the scores with just over three minutes remaining in the period.
The Stingrays - who were outshot 43-23 overall - were able to fire just five shots on Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski in the final period as Lachowicz recorded the game winning goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the game before Petr Kalus added a sixth with less than 30 seconds remaining.
The defeat is the Stingrays third in a row following their seven game win streak and Cloutier will be hoping to halt losing run with a big weekend coming up next week against the Cardiff Devils and Fife Flyers - who both rivals for the final couple of playoff spots.
Stingrays release Squires
The Hull Stingrays have today announced the release of British forward Tom Squires.
The 23 year old forward has been sidelined since 7th December when he was hit in the face by a puck while sat on the bench during the Stingrays shootout triumph in Fife.
The incident saw him rushed to A&E and receive internal and external stitches on his eye, however, the resulting blood clot on his eye has remained and he has been out of action since.
It is believed that the Brit was nearing a return to action and that his release was based on both his form - with Sam Towner ably slotting in on the third line during his absence - and the Stingrays financial circumstances - with the club unwilling to ice a player of Squires experience as 10th forward. The timing of the release will also allow Squires to find a new club prior to the upcoming transfer deadline.
Prior to the injury Squires - who recorded seven goals and 19 assists in 44 games last season having joined from English Premier League side the Sheffield Steeldogs - had been struggling for form on the club's third line, recording just one assist in 25 games this season.
UPDATE: The Sheffield Steeldogs confirmed the re-signing of hometown forward Squires on Wednesday 29th January. He returns to the club whom he originally joined the Stingrays from partway through last season.
The 23 year old forward has been sidelined since 7th December when he was hit in the face by a puck while sat on the bench during the Stingrays shootout triumph in Fife.
The incident saw him rushed to A&E and receive internal and external stitches on his eye, however, the resulting blood clot on his eye has remained and he has been out of action since.
It is believed that the Brit was nearing a return to action and that his release was based on both his form - with Sam Towner ably slotting in on the third line during his absence - and the Stingrays financial circumstances - with the club unwilling to ice a player of Squires experience as 10th forward. The timing of the release will also allow Squires to find a new club prior to the upcoming transfer deadline.
Prior to the injury Squires - who recorded seven goals and 19 assists in 44 games last season having joined from English Premier League side the Sheffield Steeldogs - had been struggling for form on the club's third line, recording just one assist in 25 games this season.
UPDATE: The Sheffield Steeldogs confirmed the re-signing of hometown forward Squires on Wednesday 29th January. He returns to the club whom he originally joined the Stingrays from partway through last season.
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Blaze bring Stingrays crashing back down to earth
Hull Stingrays 1-6 Coventry Blaze
Less than a week after their club record six game unbeaten run came to an end, the Hull Stingrays saw their seven game unbeaten home run end in disappointing fashion as they were thrashed 6-1 by the Coventry Blaze.
Trailing after one period thanks to Ryan Ginand's first period powerplay goal, it was the Blaze top line of Ashley Tait, Michael Henrich and Adam Henrich that did the damage to the Stingrays in the second and third period. The trio combined for four goals and six assists in the final 40 minutes with new signing Kelsey Wilson's 36th minute goal the only marker that didn't involve one of the trio.
GB international Tait helped himself to two second period goals and three assists overall while Adam Henrich bagged two third period goals and an assist.
The Stingrays outshot the Blaze 19-9 in the second period, however, despite outplaying their opponents, they found themselves 4-1 down, and that after Sylvain Cloutier's shorthanded goal on 38.36.
Trailing after one period thanks to Ryan Ginand's first period powerplay goal, it was the Blaze top line of Ashley Tait, Michael Henrich and Adam Henrich that did the damage to the Stingrays in the second and third period. The trio combined for four goals and six assists in the final 40 minutes with new signing Kelsey Wilson's 36th minute goal the only marker that didn't involve one of the trio.
GB international Tait helped himself to two second period goals and three assists overall while Adam Henrich bagged two third period goals and an assist.
The Stingrays outshot the Blaze 19-9 in the second period, however, despite outplaying their opponents, they found themselves 4-1 down, and that after Sylvain Cloutier's shorthanded goal on 38.36.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Unbeaten run ends as Stingrays lose in Glasgow
Braehead Clan 3-0 Hull Stingrays
A goal in each period from the Braehead Clan in Glasgow tonight ended the Hull Stingrays club record six game unbeaten run as they ran out victors by three goals to nil.
Ryan Finnerty's side - who have been defeated by the Stingrays in all five meetings this season - will have been eager to end their torrid run against their opponents and opened the scoring in an even first period through Matt Towe on 17.24.
The Clan took further control of the game in the second - outshooting the Rays 10-6 - and they would score again late in the period with Shane Lust doubling their lead at a crucial time with less than two minutes remaining in the second.
In a disciplined 60 minutes from both sides that produced only three minor penalties - two for the Clan and one for the Rays - the Clan registered their third goal of the game on their only powerplay of the game through Joel Champagne on 46.53.
That would be enough for Braehead to register their first win of the season against the Stingrays at their sixth attempt, thus ending the club record unbeaten run at six games.
Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier will be delighted with his sides magnificent performances during the run and, equally, the characteristics they side have shown over the last three weeks to maintain the streak despite not playing their best hockey at times.
He will now be focused on ensuring his side do not dwell on the loss and rebound as soon as possible in order to maintain their sixth position in the Elite League and their charge for top spot in Gardiner Conference - which was their primary goal at the beginning of the season.
After returning a 5-1 record from six consecutive conference games to solidify their charge for the conference title, the Stingrays return to action against Erhardt Conference sides next weekend as they take on the Coventry Blaze at home on Saturday and Nottingham Panthers away from home on Sunday.
A goal in each period from the Braehead Clan in Glasgow tonight ended the Hull Stingrays club record six game unbeaten run as they ran out victors by three goals to nil.
Ryan Finnerty's side - who have been defeated by the Stingrays in all five meetings this season - will have been eager to end their torrid run against their opponents and opened the scoring in an even first period through Matt Towe on 17.24.
The Clan took further control of the game in the second - outshooting the Rays 10-6 - and they would score again late in the period with Shane Lust doubling their lead at a crucial time with less than two minutes remaining in the second.
In a disciplined 60 minutes from both sides that produced only three minor penalties - two for the Clan and one for the Rays - the Clan registered their third goal of the game on their only powerplay of the game through Joel Champagne on 46.53.
That would be enough for Braehead to register their first win of the season against the Stingrays at their sixth attempt, thus ending the club record unbeaten run at six games.
Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier will be delighted with his sides magnificent performances during the run and, equally, the characteristics they side have shown over the last three weeks to maintain the streak despite not playing their best hockey at times.
He will now be focused on ensuring his side do not dwell on the loss and rebound as soon as possible in order to maintain their sixth position in the Elite League and their charge for top spot in Gardiner Conference - which was their primary goal at the beginning of the season.
After returning a 5-1 record from six consecutive conference games to solidify their charge for the conference title, the Stingrays return to action against Erhardt Conference sides next weekend as they take on the Coventry Blaze at home on Saturday and Nottingham Panthers away from home on Sunday.
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