HULL Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier says his side are relishing the challenge of Sheffield Steelers tonight.

Reigning champions Steelers are on a nine-match winning streak.

And although currently only third in the table, seven points behind Rapid Solicitors Elite League leaders Belfast and two behind Nottingham, they have six games in hand.

Stingrays have lost all five encounters with the title-chasing big spenders, although the last three have been by only one goal.

And Cloutier believes his side have a good chance, providing they hit top form.

He said: "Sheffield are one of the hottest teams in the Elite League right now. And if they win their games in hand they will overtake Belfast at the top.

"We have to go in and give it our best shot, but we must play for 60 minutes and not take any shifts off.

"They've got a very good powerplay so we must stay out of the penalty box."

But Stingrays will travel today knowing they must hit back after their 8-2 defeat against Coventry Blaze at Hull Arena last night.

Minus top scorer Jereme Tendler, Cloutier's side trailed 3-0 at the first break to goals from Greg Owen, Owen Fussey and Peter Nylander.

Matic Kralj and Fussey with his second piled on the misery as Blaze took complete control.

Cloutier's goal on 37 minutes gave Stingrays a glimmer of hope.

That hope, though, was extinguished by Fussey's third-period hat-trick goal, followed by Nylander's second and Mike McLean's first.

Andy McKinney's goal inside the last three minutes was mere consolation for Stingrays.