Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays were knocked out of the Challenge Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Cardiff Devils at Hull Arena.
Stingrays knew they had to win their final Group B tie to pip Coventry Blaze to a two-legged quarter-final against Braehead Clan.
Andrew Hotham put Devils ahead at 1.57 before Mark Richardson doubled his side’s lead on the powerplay at 9.58.
Carl Lauzon, his 15th marker of the season, cut the deficit just 21 seconds into the middle session but Joey Haddad’s powerplay strike at 23.36 made it 3-1.
Will Frederick grabbed a second goal for Stingrays on the powerplay at 53.10 but they were unable to force overtime and bowed out of the competition.
Player-coach Omar Pacha said: “We threw everything at them and in the second half of the game we outplayed them.
“But we made a slow start and it cost us. Had we started better it could have been a different outcome.
“There were a lot of positives. We had some great goaltending, our defence was solid and we generated enough chances to win the game.
“I was really pleased with how they responded from Tuesday [Stingrays lost 7-0 in Cardiff]. They competed and stepped up and that’s all you can ask.
“We are disappointed not to go through but if we continue to play like that it could be a stepping stone to bigger things.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.