Stingrays: Cloutier wants consistency (WITH VIDEO)

COACH Sylvain Cloutier insists Excel Hull Stingrays must cure their Jekyll and Hyde tendencies if they are to turn around their slump in fortunes.

Having produced a Halloween horror show on Saturday to lose 7-5 to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup, Stingrays conjured up probably their best defensive display of the season to lose only 2-1 in Newcastle last night.

However, it was their 15th defeat in 17 games to leave Cloutier frustrated at his side's inability to snatch an elusive win.

He said: "We dominated the game for 60 minutes, but just didn't find a way to win.

"I got a 60-minute performance from the guys last night.

"It was a totally different team from Saturday night, I don't know what sort of team it was on Saturday.

"That's the most frustrating thing. We can play great in one game and in another we don't show up at all, it doesn't make any sense."

After a goalless first period in Newcastle, Adam Knight scored the only goal of the middle session.

However, Stingrays' hopes of victory were dashed by goals from Jason Tejchma (41.08) and Mike Berry (58.25) in the third period.

Stingrays had two goals – from Matty Davies and Cloutier – disallowed, while Vipers' winner appeared to hit keeper Tommy Sandahl's helmet on its way into the net.

In contrast to last night's tight game, on Saturday it was a case of defence, what defence in the first period as both sides shipped goals – Davies (2) and Curtis Huppe on target for Stingrays and Wes Jarvis, Matt Miller and Max Birbraer (2) for Cardiff.

Mark Smith netted the only goal of the middle period before Cloutier shifted Knight up front from defence for the final 20 minutes.

Jeff Glowa and George Halkidis netted for Stingrays and Miller (2) – one an empty-netter – sealed Cardiff's victory.

Stingrays' defeat last night and Edinburgh's 5-4 win over Nottingham, leaves Cloutier's side three points adrift of the Capitals, having played three more games.

It gives an added edge to Saturday's clash against the Scottish outfit at Hull Arena.

Cloutier, though, remains optimistic his injury-hit side can get back on track.

"We can't give up, we can't stop, we have to keep plugging away and stay positive because Saturday's game is the biggest of the season.

"Hopefully we'll have Lee Mitchell back this weekend and we will be able to roll three lines.

"Then there'll be no excuses and no reason why we shouldn't find some consistent form," he said.

"It's got to turn our way, we've got too good a group of guys to allow this run to keep going like it is."