Stingrays' run at an end against Blaze

Jonathan Weaver (powerplay) put Coventry ahead and Luke Fulghum added a quickfire double to leave Stingrays – who handed a debut to Latvian defenceman Aivars Gaitins in place of injured captain Jeff Glowa (concussion) – 3-0 down inside eight minutes which prompted a time-out.

Short-handed markers from Fulghum, for his hat-trick, and Dan Carlson stretched the home side's lead before Adam Knight (powerplay) pulled a goal back for Stingrays. Derek Campbell added a sixth for Coventry.

On Saturday, Hull had extended their winning run to three matches with a 2-1 success against Cardiff Devils.

"We had no energy and never got going," said Cloutier following the Coventry setback.

"To be fair to Coventry they were pumped up and they came out flying. They had 23 shots on us in the first period and they showed why they are the first-placed team in the league.

"We tried to come back but we just had nothing to give out there. We had a tough game against Cardiff on Saturday, we have been playing some good hockey and we picked up two points this weekend so we are happy with that.

"We will now prepare for a tough game against Belfast on Thursday."

After the highs of a late comeback to beat Cardiff 3-2 at Ice Sheffield on Friday night, Sheffield Steelers were brought back down to earth sharply in the first of their double header with Edinburgh Capitals, losing 6-3.

Edinburgh went ahead with goals from Neil Hay and Marc Lefebvre before Steelers replied via Robert Farmer and Robert Dowd.

Sean Perkins and Farmer traded strikes before two goals in just over a minute decided the match, Martin Cingel's powerplay strike followed by Mark Garside. Owen Fussey added his 27th of the season.

Steelers gained some revenge on Sunday night with a 7-2 win.