Low expectation level suits Stingrays’ Pacha

Discarded by many before a puck had even been dropped in the 
2014-15 Elite League campaign, Pacha’s young side have already caused a few surprises – most notably last week’s 6-1 demolition of Nottingham Panthers at the National Ice Centre.

The result caused a major stir around the league, although Pacha was left disappointed his players couldn’t bank a four-point weekend when they went down 2-0 at home to Braehead Clan the following night.

Injury problems – including Pacha’s own broken arm – have left the Stingrays seriously under-strength for the opening month of the season, but – following last week’s arrival of Americsan defenceman Brendan Jamison – things are on the up.

“Overall, I feel we are improving,” said Pacha, who hopes to be return to his team’s defensive line within a couple of weeks.

“We fully deserved our win in Nottingham. We out-skated and out-worked them and we stuck to our systems and used all of our strengths.

“I don’t mind if people want to keep underestimating us. We pay little attention to what other people think, we feel we’ve got a good team here.”

With no fixture tonight, Hull take on Dundee Stars at home tomorrow (6pm) in the Challenge Cup.

Sheffield Steelers will look to exact swift revenge on visitors Nottingham Panthers when the two sides meet in the Challenge Cup tonight. Panthers edged out Gerad Adams’s side 2-1 at the NIC last month.

“Our group is tight and it’s important that we finish as high up as possible for the seeding’s going into the next round,” said Steelers’ forward Jason Hewitt.