Build-up continues for Stingrays

HULL Stingrays will further hone their competitive edge ahead of their Elite League campaign by going double Dutch in the P&O Cup this weekend.

By the time they face-off against Belfast Giants on Friday night, Hull player-coach Sylvain Cloutier will have enjoyed the best pre-season preparation and training camp since first being appointed just over two years ago.

Having had the majority of his roster in place for a fortnight ahead of their trip to Belfast, represents something of a luxury time for Cloutier, particularly when compared with last season’s pre-season which was hampered by the club’s temporary closure earlier in the summer.

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So far, Hull have posted a 5-2 win on home ice over Coventry, followed by a 2-2 draw in the return match at the Skydome Arena the following night. They also shared the honours in a bruising 5-5 stalemate at EPL outfit Sheffield Steeldogs on Tuesday.

This weekend Cloutier’s team can further work on their systems and match fitness with games against the Tilburg Trappers and the Geleen Eaters, with Coventry also set to play the Netherlands duo with the event being switched to the West Midlands due to the unavailability of ice at the Hull Arena.

Cloutier, boosted by news that goaltender Christian Boucher and defenceman Dan Scott will both have recovered from minor injuries sustained in the physical battle at Ice Sheffield earlier in the week, hopes to see further improvements in time for a their tough trip to Northern Ireland.

“It will be a good standard of hockey this weekend,” said Cloutier.

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“I am expecting two fast-paced games. It is not as physical over there but this weekend is all about playing our own game and working on our systems.

“We had a good workout on Tuesday against the Steeldogs, it was a physical game but we should all be fit for the weekend.”

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