Cloutier says Stingrays are up to the challenge

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier knows Excel Hull Stingrays face another tough weekend – but has backed his team to collect points against Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.

Stingrays take on Steelers, the defending champions, in the Rapid Solicitors Elite League at Sheffield Arena tomorrow night before welcoming holders Panthers to Hull Arena in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

Cloutier’s side have met both teams already this season, losing 6-3 at home to Sheffield and 6-2 in Nottingham.

He said: “Sheffield are on a roll. It is going to be a tough game and we are going to have to bring our ‘A’ game.

“We kept it close against them at home and I was disappointed they got the better of us in the last eight minutes of the game.

“We have played well against the big teams but we need to stop making the mistakes we have been. We will have to go there, be strong and keep it simple.

“It is going to be a big game against Nottingham at home. We will have to come out ready and there is no reason why we can’t take points from them.

“They are all offence, they just go, go, go. They have three lines who can score. If we play like we did in the first period in Nottingham we will be fine. If we start going end to end with them, it won’t be good.

“We need to chip the puck deep, play them physical, make sure there are no turnovers and don’t play up the middle.

“Corey Neilson has done a great job there. There was a lot of pressure on him but he finished with two trophies last season.

“You have to give him credit. He has got him team going the right way. They are one of the favourites for the league but if we can match them for 60 minutes we will have a chance to get the two points.”