Ideal preparation for rampant Stingrays

The first of four friendlies before the curtain-raiser at defending Elite League champions Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, September 7, it proved to be a comfortable evening for Cloutier’s team against a team they will see plenty of again in the Gardiner Conference.

An understandably tight first period was followed by four goals in each of the remaining periods, with four Stingrays players grabbing a brace.

“It was a good work-out and good to get the legs going,” said player-coach Cloutier.

“These four exhibition games are about getting to know each other, getting our systems working and making sure everyone is on the same page by the time we play Nottingham.”

Leading marksman Jereme Tendler will once again be a key ingredient for Hull if they are to enjoy any success this season and got the scoring underway last night after just 138 seconds. The closest Hull came to doubling their lead was towards the end of the first period when Derek Campbell - back for a second spell at the club - saw his shot cannon off the post.

Matty Davies, who will be hoping to break into the Great Britain team this season, doubled the lead just 51 seconds into the middle session before Tendler made it 3-0 10 minutes later. Defenceman Omar Pach’s rocket increased the lead at 32.21 in his first game for the club before fellow new recruit, Guillaume Doucet, added a fifth at 36.31.

Doucet, who also recorded four assists, scored his second goal of the night at 49.29 and Davies then doubled his tally at 52.51 with a delayed penalty goal.

Young Brit Bobby Chamberlain, another player back for a second stint in Hull, rounded off the evening nicely with two goals in the 55th minute.

“It was good for Doucet to get a couple of goals in his first game, Pacha also scored and (Matt) Suderman was solid back there,” said Cloutier.

“I also thought Jamie Chilcott and Scott Robson had good games, they were very composed.”

Hull continue their pre-season programme with a trip to South Yorkshire tonight (Thursday) to take on Sheffield Steeldogs.

They then travel to Edinburgh for a return bout with the Capitals before finishing off back at home on Wednesday, September 4 against Andre Payette’s Steeldogs.

Sheffield Steelers begin their pre-season programme on Friday night when the first port of call on their European tour sees them take on Slovakian side Kosice.

They will then face Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland on Saturday before finishing off 24 hours later against either SAPA AV19 from Hungary or Slovenian outfit Olimpija Ljubljana.