Hull must keep errors to a minimum against Steelers, says Cloutier

SYLVAIN Cloutier knows his Hull Stingrays team are firm underdogs ahead of their Elite League play-off showdown with Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers.

The complete play-off line-up was finally settled on Saturday once it became clear that seventh-placed Stingrays could not be caught by Dundee Stars, who they went on to convincingly defeat 6-2 in Hull last night.

The Steelers – who finished the regular season as runners-up – go into the two-legged first-round clash having lost four of their last five games, including last night’s last-gasp 5-4 defeat at home to Braehead Clan.

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But a recent 4-3 setback in Hull aside, the Steelers have had their opponents’ number previously this season, having won six of the other seven encounters.

“We know it’s going to be difficult against Sheffield,” said Hull player-coach Cloutier. “They have shown they are one of the best and most consistent teams around.

“It’s real David and Goliath stuff. For us to even have a chance we’ve got to play perfect for 120 minutes. We have to cut the mistakes down because they’ve got too much experience and too many weapons to hurt us if we don’t.”

In a fiesty tussle in Hull against Dundee, the home side eventually ran out comfortable winners after coming from behind twice.

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Top scorer Jereme Tendler scored a hat-trick, and Jason Silverthorn (2) and Dominic Osman also got on the scoresheet.

The previous night at Braehead Clan, Hull went down 6-1, with Silverthorn on target for the visitors.

The Steelers’ weekend had got off to a fine start at Ice Sheffield as they exorcised the frustration of three straight losses by hammering Edinburgh Capitals 13-2.

Jeff Legue led the way with eight points on the night, three of them goals. Mike Ramsay also bagged a hat-trick, while Luke Fulham (2), Jonathan Phillips, Colt King, Rod Sarich, Tom Squires and Ryan Finnerty completed the rout.

But last night Steelers finished the regular season on a losing note, giving up a 4-2 lead to lose out with only three seconds on the clock to Mike Wirll’s goal.