Cloutier looks for Hull to keep their discipline

Steelers edged a seven-goal thriller in Hull on Sunday night and strolled to two points in a 7-0 triumph when Hull last visited Ice Sheffield back in November.

Two goals apiece from Neil Clark and Jason Hewitt cancelled out strikes from Andrew Coburn, Matti Uusivirta and Jereme Tendler in an often exciting, hard-fought tussle.

Stingrays incurred only six minutes in penalties on Sunday and player-coach Cloutier says they must repeat that kind of discipline if they are to end a run of four straight defeats.

"I don't want to see a repeat of what happened there last time," said Cloutier.

"We need to keep it simple, stay disciplined and make sure we convert our powerplays if they take penalties.

"I was proud of the way we battled on Sunday and if we can do that again, you never know.

"It's good we've got to play them right away because we know it's going to be an intense hockey game. They are fighting for a league title so you know it's going to be intense because they are not going to take a night off."

The Yorkshire rivals will meet again in Hull next Wednesday with the sixth and final league game between the two currently scheduled to take place in Sheffield on Saturday, February 26.

Cloutier's opposite number, Ben Simon, said the previous meeting at Ice Sheffield was not a true reflection of Stingrays' qualities.

"That game (beating Hull 7-0) was a fluke, well not a fluke but that wasn't Hull," said Simon.

"When we played at theirs a few weeks after and they spanked us 7-2 that wasn't the Steelers - it wasn't our night and when they came to Ice Sheffield last time it wasn't their night either.

"So when both teams play well it's usually a good hockey game and I hope our guys show up. And if their guys show up and play hard then I know we will have our hands full."

While the Steelers try to take two more points off Hull in South Yorkshire, leaders Cardiff Devils - currently three points ahead of Sheffield but having played a game more - welcome fourth-placed Nottingham Panthers to South wales.

The last time the two sides met at Cardiff Bay saw a 3-3 draw which denied the Steelers a place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Nottingham - who thrashed Newcastle Vipers 15-0 on Subnday to seal an 18-4 aggregate Cup victory and a place in the final - are 11 points behind Devils and desperately need to secure a road win to retain any hope of maintaining a serious challenge for the regular season title.

Cardiff will be looking to bounce back from their 5-4 defeat in Coventry on Sunday night.

STEELERS have initiated a special ticket offer for fans ahead of this weekend's home fixtures against Nottingham Panthers (Friday) and Coventry Blaze (Saturday) at the Motorpoint Arena.

Fans can buy a ticket to cover both games for just 20 from the Arena box office in person or by telephoning 0114 256 5656.