Cloutier looking to build on Hull success

Perennial strugglers Hull served notice of their intent at the weekend by following up a 7-2 demolition of Sheffield Steelers with a 5-4 win on a shoot-out at Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.

The double triumph lifted them to within three points of sixth-placed Braehead Clan, who they have five games in hand on and who they welcome to Hull Arena next Wednesday.

This Saturday sees them return to Coventry's Skydome Arena, home of the ownership group who rescued them in the close season to ensure another campaign of top-flight hockey in East Yorkshire.

Hull won there 5-1 in the Challenge Cup three weeks ago – effectively ending Blaze's hopes of progressing to the semi-final stages.

"If we can go into Coventry and play like we did against Sheffield and Nottingham then we have a good chance of picking up another two points," said Cloutier.

"But if we go there and don't show up, then last weekend will have been for nothing."

Coventry will be desperate to make up ground on the top four, having fallen slightly behind due to their recent Continental Cup commitments, as well as suffering a surprise 3-1 defeat at second-bottom Newcastle Vipers on Sunday.

Hull forward Lee Mitchell has been ruled out until late January after it was confirmed he would need surgery to mend a torn knee cartilage.