Cloutier looking to build on Hull success
Perennial strugglers Hull served notice of their intent at the weekend by following up a 7-2 demolition of Sheffield Steelers with a 5-4 win on a shoot-out at Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.
The double triumph lifted them to within three points of sixth-placed Braehead Clan, who they have five games in hand on and who they welcome to Hull Arena next Wednesday.
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Hide AdThis Saturday sees them return to Coventry's Skydome Arena, home of the ownership group who rescued them in the close season to ensure another campaign of top-flight hockey in East Yorkshire.
Hull won there 5-1 in the Challenge Cup three weeks ago – effectively ending Blaze's hopes of progressing to the semi-final stages.
"If we can go into Coventry and play like we did against Sheffield and Nottingham then we have a good chance of picking up another two points," said Cloutier.
"But if we go there and don't show up, then last weekend will have been for nothing."
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Hide AdCoventry will be desperate to make up ground on the top four, having fallen slightly behind due to their recent Continental Cup commitments, as well as suffering a surprise 3-1 defeat at second-bottom Newcastle Vipers on Sunday.
Hull forward Lee Mitchell has been ruled out until late January after it was confirmed he would need surgery to mend a torn knee cartilage.