Short-benched Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays produced a gutsy display as they fell to a 5-4 defeat to Cardiff Devils at Hull Arena in the Elite League.
Jordan Mayer joined captain Matty Davies, Zach Hervato and Yan Turcotte on the sidelines as Stingrays iced just 11 out-skaters against the Challenge Cup champions.
A powerplay marker from Joey Haddad saw Devils lead at 4.11 but strikes from Eric Galbraith (6.27) and Jordan Knox (13.04) put Stingrays 2-1 up. 
Carl Hudson tied it up again at 16.06 before player-coach Omar Pacha nudged Stingrays back in front 1.46 into the second session.
Two goals inside 21 seconds from Chris Culligan (33.24) and player-coach Andrew Lord (33.45) handed Devils a 4-3 lead and the former scored again with 24 seconds of the middle session remaining.
Sam Towner grabbed the only goal of the final period at 52.54 as Stingrays just missed out on claiming a priceless point in their battle for a play-off place.
Pacha said: “It was a great effort by the guys, the compete level was there, they played hard for the logo and everybody showed up.
“We slept for five minutes in the second period and it cost us. We dominated them in the third period, we played well but we just could not get the goal.
“They are one of the best teams in the league, they are the biggest team in the league but we showed a lot of character. We could have won the game and that is what hurts.”
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