Stingrays' sights on play-off semi-finals
COACH Sylvain Cloutier says Excel Hull Stingrays have set their sights on reaching the play-off semi-finals – despite heading for this year's Elite League wooden spoon.
Stingrays collected three points out of four this weekend, beating Sheffield Steelers 3-2 after penalties, 24 hours after losing 5-4 to Newcastle, also on penalty shots.
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It leaves them 10 points adrift of seven-placed Steelers with 11 games left, but Cloutier says the main goal now is the final four.
He said: "We're taking it one game at a time to the end of the season and trying to get as many points as we can and get ready for the Elite League play-offs.
"We want to get to the final four, that's our goal.
"We will be underdogs, but we've been underdogs all season.
"We just have to keep battling. We've got to play for 60 minutes if we want to give ourselves a chance against the big teams."
Out-shot 21-8 in the opening period, Stingrays fell behind to a seventh-minute Matt Hubbauer goal, but weathered the Sheffield storm to equalise through Adam Knight eight minutes later.
A solid defensive effort from both teams saw a scoreless second period, before a stunning finish by Konstantin Kalmikov put Stingrays ahead early in the third period.
However, Robert Farmer's tip-in inside the final eight minutes sent the game into overtime and then penalty shots.
Jeff Legue and Joe Talbot failed to score on their attempts, but Jon Zion netted his, equalising Jason Silverthorn's penalty shot.
Jeff Glowa put his attempt wide of the post.
It was left to Kalmikov to coolly slot home the winner.
On Saturday, Stingrays led 4-0 after 25 minutes through goals from Kalmikov (2), Cloutier and Glowa before Mike Berry pulled a goal back two minutes later for Newcastle.
It all went pear-shaped in the final nine minutes as Brent Hughes (2) and Ryan Mahrle sent the game into overtime with Hughes netting the penalty-shot winner.
"I would have taken three points out of four and been happy before the start of the weekend," said Cloutier.
"The guys battled hard on Saturday and you have to take the positive, we got a point, and we haven't been great on the road this season. Last night was a huge win against Sheffield.
"We needed it going into tomorrow night against Edinburgh because that's going to be a tough game in Scotland."
3 Comments
by Offside, Hull
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 9:28PM
“It's great to be laughing at the squeeeelrs this season BUT you can g'tee that next season they will say bodds to the wagecap and go all out and spend spend spend. Like the others have done.”
by Ice Man, Still In A Cold Place
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 10:27AM
“Well proud of the lads again Clouts. 3 point weekend is good going. The Rays have all season proved that they can match anyone in the league. Its just a shame we cannot score more goals to get the extra wins our play deserves. Many a game has been lost by missing simple chances and giving away sloppyu goals.
I like this team as much as any we have had in manay a year.
Just a little summer tinkering with maybe a handful of changes and theb Rays can then challenge for the top four.
As for Simms and the Steeler they have no class. Simms is getting his rewards no which is pure grief. Well done to scoobie for the end music. Maybe that why Matsos left in a huff or was it thet he heard ELVIS had l;eft the building and wanted his autograph, ?
Somebody please tell Matty that the King is Dead. Long Live the King. Lol.
Play - Offs are well within the team if they can play for 60 mins. Sure they can imo.
But losing a 4 goal lead in Viper land proves my point. That should never happen at anytime. But well chuffed overall with the whole team.”
by Nik, Ull
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:35AM
“Just wanted to say a BIG well done to the guys for bouncing back last night after Saturdays game. I think one or two around me last night were glad I had almost no voice left after getting back from THE SHED at Whitley bay as once again a few Rays fans stuns the home crown into silence. Kalmi's winner last night was pure class and I now hope that Mr Simms and all the high and mighty Squeelers mob are choking on their pre match prediction of "Stuufing us out of sight" SO just how embarrassed are you this time ? :-) :-)
Also nice to see Matsos playing the sportsman and storming out before the hand shake, a bit hard to swallow was it Matty ?”