Stingrays rediscover the joy of shoot-outs

This weekend in Scotland, however, Sylvain Cloutier’s team secured two shoot-out victories in as many nights to strengthen their claims for making the post-season and keeping them in the hunt for a Gardiner Conference title.

The Stingrays maintained this season’s 100 per cent record over Braehead Clan when Carl Lauzon’s strike earned them the extra point in a 4-3 triumph in Glasgow on Saturday.

Just under 24 hours later, it was Lauzon again whose accuracy in a one-on-one situation earned the extra point in a 4-3 win at Edinburgh Capitals, stretching Hull’s winning streak to four games.

“It has been a massive weekend for us,” said Cloutier.

“They weren’t the prettiest wins but we found a way to get the points. After all the shoot-out losses we had to put up with last year, it is about time it started turning our way.”

Guillaume Doucet had given the visitors a seventh-minute lead in Braehead, an advantage that was not cancelled out until the 35th minute by Neil Trimm’s leveller.

Bobby Chamberlain quickly restored Hull’s lead at 37.44, but the Clan rallied again, levelling for a second time through Matt Haywood at 40.20 before going in front for the first time on the night when Kenton Smith pounced on the powerplay at 57.35.

Lauzon then levelled just over a minute later and, after a goalless overtime, enhanced his hero status with the only successful penalty shot from the six taken.

After heading down the M8 to the Scottish capital, Hull again got off to a flyer when Matty Davies put them ahead at 4.29.

Jay King soon levelled, only for Jason Silverthorn to restore the visitors advantage on the powerplay at 12.28.

Again the Capitals came back through player-coach Richard Hartmann’s powerplay effort at 49.56, although Doucet restored his status as the league’s leading scorer to make it 3-2 with his 34th of the campaign at 53.48.

Peter Holecko’s strike at 18.41 ensured overtime and then a seccond shoot-out of the weekend was required by Stingrays, with Lauzon’s attempt in the eighth round proving to be the winner after Hull netminder Ben Bowns saved from Michael Dobron.

British goaltender Bowns, who made his 100th EIHL appearance in Braehead and scooped the man-of-the-match award in Edinburgh, said Hull’s ability to find success north of the border this season was pivotal to any success they may enjoy this season.

“We only won twice in 16 games in Scotland last season but that’s six in 11 now and to get four points from these two away games is massive,” he said.

“The team played well in front of me and were solid defensively. We didn’t play very well against Edinburgh, but it is encouraging for us to win those games when we aren’t at our best.”

WEEKEND RESULTS

Sunday: Cardiff Devils 4 Belfast Giants 11, Coventry Blaze 3 Nottingham Panthers 5, Dundee Stars 4 Fife Flyers 2, Edinburgh Capitals 3 Hull Stingrays 4 (SO)

Saturday: Belfast Giants 7 Cardiff Devils 2, Braehead Clan 3 Hull Stingrays 4 (SO), Fife Flyers 4 Dundee Stars 3 (PS), Nottingham Panthers 5 Edinburgh Capitals 2, Sheffield Steelers 5 Coventry Blaze 4 (OT).