Steelers’ title chances take a hit as Stingrays enjoy fruitful road trip

Hull went toe-to-toe with second-placed Belfast Giants at home last night before losing out 5-2.

But their most positive performance was saved for Saturday night when they came from behind at the Motorpoint Arena to defeat leaders Sheffield Steelers 4-3.

With Belfast picking up a four-point weekend, it means the Steelers’ lead has been cut to five points over the Giants, who have to play the South Yorkshire rivals twice more and have one game in hand.

Third-placed Cardiff Devils took three points from their weekend to leave them eight points behind the Steelers with two games in hand.

“It was a massive win in Sheffield and we came out and matched Belfast all night,” said a delighted Cloutier last night.

“I am proud of the guys this weekend, they battled hard in both games and to get two points against the top two teams was a great job. You can’t take anything away from Belfast, they are a good hockey team, but I don’t think 5-2 showed how the game went.

“We are disappointed but we didn’t play a bad game. We must stay positive and get ready for Cardiff on Tuesday.”

Hull found themselves 2-0 down against Belfast before levelling through Konstantin Kalmikov and Trevor Read. That scoreline lasted only 46 seconds, however, after Dan Welch put the visitors ahead again at 31.35.

As Hull pressed for an equaliser, third period goals from Jon Gleed and Mike Hoffman ended their hopes of a comeback.

In Sheffield, Jeff Legue put the Steelers ahead before Lee Mitchell replied for Hull. Ben Simon and Legue gave the home side a two-goal cushion by the 25th minute, although Stingrays’ defenceman Drew Bannister made it a one-goal game with a goal 57 seconds later.

Stingrays levelled 49 seconds into the third through Mitchell before Kalmikov netted the winner on the powerplay with six minutes remaining.