HULL, UK – Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier knows Excel Hull Stingrays must back up their win over Belfast Giants by beating Sheffield Steelers at Hull Arena next Saturday.
Captain Jeff Glowa netted the game-winning penalty shot as Stingrays snapped a six-match losing streak with a 3-2 victory and next face a Steelers side who have just become only the second British team to reach the Continental Cup finals.
Cloutier said: “Hopefully it’s the turning point of our season. We can’t be satisfied with the win, we have to get back to work this week and be focused on Sheffield on Saturday. It means nothing if we don’t win on Saturday, we have to win that and get on a roll. It is all about pride, none of us want to be in last place. We got a couple of breaks against Belfast so maybe it might start turning for us.”
Cloutier, who was in the wars against Belfast and played the majority of the game with a broken nose, added:
Coach/Player/Model%3F Sylvain Cloutier (Photo Hull Stingrays)
“It’s part of the game. I wanted to get back out there because I didn’t want to miss any of the game. I am the type of guy who doesn’t want to miss any shifts. We tried to put it back in place, we moved it a little bit but it was too sore. We are going to leave it and get it fixed at the end of the season. I think my modelling career is over now!” The Stingrays will tomorrow have their first session with sports psychologist Ralph Bailey as they attempt to overturn their disappointing start to the season.
Stingrays’ penalty-shot victory over Belfast Giants at Hull Arena on Sunday was only their fourth this term and it brought to an end a six-match losing streak in the Elite League.
Cloutier said:
“We have our first session on Tuesday. Anything you can do to try to change things is a good thing. It’s going to be positive and will give us a confidence boost and we need that. The guys are up for it, they want to do it.”
Adam Knight (Photo Hull Stingrays)
“I have had one before and it is something that can really help players. They are good because they teach you how to stay focused. The brain is a muscle and if you work it and learn how to control it, it can really work in your favour. I am all for it, I think it’s a great thing and hopefully we can take advantage of it.”
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