Giants see off Hull to close in on Steelers

Doug Christiansen’s team welcome the Steelers to the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night for the first of two games in five days between the title rivals.

But a short-benched Hull - missing seven key players - threatened to end the Giants’ 10-game winning streak last night when Lee Mitchell gave Sylvain Cloutier’s side a surprise second-minute lead.

After Craig Peacock levelled just over a minute later, however, Belfast ended the period 5-2 ahead through further strikes from Michael Jacobson, Josh Prudden, Jeff Mason and Brandon Benedict with Hull captain Kurtis Dulle replying for the visitors.

Despite being short on numbers, Hull tightened up during the second period and only allowed Colin Hemingway tomfind a way past netminder Christian Boucher when he made it 6-2 at 32.00.

Stingrays matched their second period intensity, and although they were comfortably outshot almost three to one on the night, Mitchell continued his good form since returning from a long injury layoff when he scored his second of the night at 57.30.

Hull had been missing six bodies for Tuesday night’s 6-1 defeat to third-placed Cardiff Devils and although youngster Ben Lowe returned to the line-up in belfast, they were dealt further blows when player-coach Cloutier, key defenceman Drew Bannister and young British forward Lee Esders all pulled out.

Cloutier revealed Bannister had been forced to fly home due to a family emergency and said he would not be back for this weekend’s games against Coventry Blaze and Newcastle Vipers.

But Cloutier as well as Tendler, Lake, Esders and Gaisins are expected to return to the line-up with Mitchell still injured.

“I am really proud of the guys,” said Cloutier. “It’s been a long day and to produce a performance like that with just 10 skaters, I thought they did a great job.

“It would have been nice to have had a full line-up because we believe we have a team who can really push Belfast. They are a talented team but we know we can play with them.

“It is disappointing to lose, but I have to give the guys credit for the way they kept plugging away.”