CHRISTIAN Boucher says Hull Stingrays must concentrate on defence in their biggest weekend of the season.

Stingrays play back-to-back clashes with Dundee Stars, with two places and seven points separating the sides.

A four-point full-house will put Stingrays well on course for a play-off place, two defeats will open the door for the Scots.

"This weekend we have to bring our best game to the rink," said Boucher.

"We've said it before about being a big weekend, but this one is definitely our biggest.

"It's the biggest weekend for them too.

"We have to play well in our own zone.

"We can't be worried too much about scoring goals.

"Last time against Dundee we didn't get the result we wanted, but I thought we were the better team."

The stats suggest the two sides are well matched, with Stingrays edging the goals scored 107 to 94, having played one more game.

Defensively, Stingrays have leaked 165 goals to Dundee's 163.

Stingrays have kept plenty of games close, normally winning or losing by no more than three goals.

"I've been looking through our wins this year and, apart from the 9-4 win against Braehead, they've all been tight 3-1 or 3-2-type games.

"And nine times out of 10 we win games by playing tight defence," said Boucher.

"If we are scoring a lot of goals we tend to combine it with making mistakes defensively."

Last weekend proved a case in point.

Stingrays were hammered 8-2 by Coventry before losing only 3-0 to title-chasing Sheffield Steelers, whose last goal was scored on the empty net.

"The first period was probably the best I've seen Coventry play," reflected Boucher.

"They came out strongly and all I could see was blue everywhere. We played better as the game went on, but they buried their chances and the game got a little bit out of hand.

"The next day in Sheffield we played probably our best game in three months.

"We out-shot them, and that says everything on the road, but they scored two break-aways and an empty netter.

"We had some chances, and I thought we dominated, but they got the goals.

"Considering we only had eight imports against one of the top teams it gives us confidence going into this weekend."

But no matter how confident Stingrays are, and no matter how well the team plays, their hopes rest on Boucher's performance.

If he plays well then Stingrays have a chance, if he doesn't it's game over.

It's a heavy burden to carry, but Boucher has performed admirably this season, and is surely in the reckoning for player of the season.

"I take it day by day, do my job and try to maintain my standard," he said.

"I've been playing pretty well all year and I guess the guys expect it.

"That's what happens when you are playing well, people expect you to do it day-in, day-out.

"I try not to think about the pressure too much.

"I know the opposition will score goals, so I have to stop as many shots as I can to give us a chance of winning and hope to make good saves."

Despite appearing like General Custer on occasions as Stingrays' defensive zone coverage melts away, Boucher is happy to be kept busy.

And he's keen to return for a third season – if there's a team in Hull in 2012-13.

"I have been enjoying myself this year, although it's frustrating not to win more games," he said.

"Whether I'm back again depends on the situation here.

"I have said it last year and this year I like the fans, the city, I like everything about it, but I don't know what's going on with the team and management.

"I don't know exactly what will happen, so I can't say.

"I enjoy playing here, the fans are so supportive.

"If there is to be a team I would not mind being back here, it's been fun."