Four stars for Stingrays

Sunday 00 12, 2012

Excel Hull Stingrays completed a fantastic four-point weekend in their bid to secure a Rapid Solicitors Elite League play-off place as they beat Dundee Stars 3-2 after penalty shots at Hull Arena.

Stingrays, who claimed a 4-3 victory in Dundee on Saturday night, claimed back-to-back wins with Dominic Osman netting the sudden-death shot.

The home side made a flying start when British forward Dan Scott produced a fine finish for his first Elite League goal after just 30 seconds.

Osman then had a goal washed off 34 seconds later as referee Mike Hicks had already blown his whistle.

But Stars levelled after 129 seconds with a powerplay marker from player-coach Brent Hughes before an excellent goal from Mark Kolanos handed the visitors the lead.

The first period finished with Stars forward Jeff Hutchins being ejected on a match penalty after a nasty hit from behind on Matty Davies, who needed treatment on the ice before being taken to hospital.

Stingrays also lost Andy McKinney on a game misconduct for third man in following a melee.

After a scoreless second session, Stingrays finally levelled with five minutes left with Dmitry Rodin scoring a blue-line blast on the powerplay.

Overtime then failed to find a winner and it was Osman who grabbed the extra point for Stingrays after the first round of shots ended one apiece.

It was an early birthday present for player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, who turns 38 on Monday.

The win also leaves Stingrays 10 points clear of ninth-placed Dundee and bench coach Bobby McEwan said: “It was a fantastic weekend for us.

“Both games have been a team performance. Everyone has given their all.

“The guys were getting frustrated because we were dominating but we battled through.

“The only way they were going to win the game was if we made a mistake. We bombarded them. It was a great four-point weekend."                                                                                                                                   

Stingrays take on Cardiff Devils at Hull Arena in the Rapid Solicitors Elite League on Sunday February 19 (6pm face-off). Tickets can be purchased by ringing the Hull Arena Box Office on 01482 325252. 

Tags: stars Stingrays

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