Cloutier happy with weekend's return

Stingrays produced the perfect response to Thursday night's 9-0 hammering at the hands of Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland when they romped to a 7-1 victory at Newcastle Vipers 48 hours later.

And although they were edged out by the odd goal in 13 on home ice against Nottingham Panthers on Sunday night, player-coach Cloutier felt there were plenty of positives to be had, not least the ending of an eight-game losing streak on the road in Whitley Bay.

"We had a big road win in Newcastle on Saturday - it's a tough building to go and play and get the two points but the guys did a great job," said Cloutier.

"Against Nottingham, we have to take the positives, we never quit and kept battling right up until the end.

"We all know we didn't play well in Belfast, those games happen sometimes. But the guys responded, they came out flying and played hard."

Goals from Jason Silverthorn (2), Lee Mitchell and captain Jeff Glowa saw Stingrays lead 4-0 in Whitley Bay until five minutes from time when

Ryan Mahrle netted on the powerplay for Vipers.

Konstantin Kalmikov's 34th goal of the campaign restored Stingrays' four-goal cushion before Cloutier and Lee Esders got in on the act as they won away from home for only the third time this season.

Panthers - who edged out Sheffield Steelers 4-3 after penalty shots on Saturday - started brightly at Hull on Sunday and found themselves 2-0 ahead after just over three minutes through Jade Galbraith and Cameron Mann. George Halkidis replied 14.31 for Stingrays before Mann's second at 16.45 gave the visitors a 3-1 first-period lead.

Defenceman Halkidis made it a one-goal game again early in the second but Panthers went 6-2 ahead through strikes from Mann, Marty Gascon and Bruce Richardson.

By the end of the second, however, Stingrays were only two behind thanks to strikes from Adam Knight and Silverthorn.

Curtis Huppe made it a one-goal game at 45.47 before Jay Henderson scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 51.27 on the powerplay. Kalmikov's 59th-minute strike ensured a nervous finish for Panthers but they were able to hold on to retain a slim hope of catching leaders Coventry as the regular season enters it's final fortnight.

At the other end, Stingrays remain bottom, seven points adrift of Newcastle with just five games remaining.

If Hull are to overhaul Rob Wilson's side, they will need to win the two fixtures they face this week against Vipers, both on home ice, the first of which will be Wednesday night (7.30pm).

RESULTS

Sunday: Cardiff Devils 7 Newcastle Vipers 4, Edinburgh Capitals 4 Belfast Giants 3, Hull Stingrays 6 Nottingham Panthers 7.