Stingrays succumb in Belfast

James Archer made the most of an early powerplay opportunity to stun the home crowd by putting the visitors ahead at 6.55.

That's how it stayed until player-coach Sylvain Cloutier's side doubled their lead at 21.25 when leading goalscorer Konstantin Kalmikov found the net with his 24th of the season.

They held onto their lead until late in the period when the league's leading scorer Colin Shields netted at 36.38 with his 35th goal of the season.

Belfast got back on level terms at 44.41 as Graeme Walton netted his first goal of the season.

Then, at 50.17, Craig Peacock put the home side in front for the first time. As Hull pressed to get back on level terms, Tim Cook used a powerplay at 54.01 to add a fourth to move Belfast up to second, while Hull - who saw Latvian defenceman Aivars Gaisins go to hospital with a suspected broken hand - remain rooted to the bottom of the table, eight points adrift of Sheffield Steelers.

"I am disappointed because we played so well but we got away from the game plan for a few minutes and they capitalised," said Cloutier, whose side had gone into the clash looking for their third successive win over Belfast after two home ice triumphs.

"Belfast are a very good side and they are challenging for the title but we gave them a game. Unfortunately, we made a couple of mistakes and they scored.

"But I was encouraged by the performance and we will get back to work and get ready for Nottingham on Saturday."