Hull edge closer to the playoffs

12 Mar 2014 | Ollie Hampson

A convincing win for the Hull Stingrays on Tuesday night gave them a crucial two points as they fight to stay in a playoff spot

The Hull Stingrays kept their playoff dreams alive in convincing fashion against the Fife Flyers who are also fighting for a playoff spot in what looks to be a four way battle with the Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils joining them.

Hull welcomed Fife to their barn in and kept the home fans happy, taking the lead through Guillaume Doucet's 48th goal of the year with 7.31 played.

The Flyers responded with a powerplay strike just under 10 minutes later, after failing on a short 5 on 3 attempt, Fife's Jordan Fulton notched his 24th of the year with a one-man advantage, making it a 1 - 1 game late in the period.

Omar Pacha put Hull ahead late in the period with their second powerplay strike, giving the Stingrays a 2 - 1 lead after 20 minutes.

Fife pulled back into the game with Ned Lukacevic leveling the score a two a piece, but it was all Hull from their on out.

Only one goal for the Stingrays in the second, Jason Silverthorn gave them the lead shortly after the Flyers tied the game, but the third period was completely dominated by Hull as they took the game.

A hat-trick for Jereme Tendler in the third period, with Sylvain Cloutier getting another goal for the Stingrays put them up 7 - 2 and comfortably on their way to a crucial two points.

Fife did manage one goal, a consolation goal by Kyle Haines with 44 seconds left to make it 7 - 3, but the Stingrays celebrated the win and moved closer to the playoff quarter-finals.

The win puts the Stingrays level with the Coventry Blaze on 50 points, three above eighth place Cardiff Devils on 47 and five ahead of Fife down in ninth and out of the playoff picture with 45.

Fife still have one game in hand over the Devils now and only two points behind, with every game for the two sides important if they are to make it to the quarter-finals.

Both the Stingrays and Flyers face difficult games ahead, Hull take on the Dundee Stars while Fife take on the league champions Belfast Giants, and if the Cardiff Devils do as well as expected against Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday night, the Flyers will be under more pressure with only a handful of games remaining.