Ice Hockey: London's nightmare continues with double setback

London Racers' nightmare preparations proved costly as they began the inaugural Elite League campaign with back-to-back defeats.

Stunned by the departure of coach Gary Carr - who has been replaced by Peter Ekroth - in the week leading up to their home game against Sheffield Steelers, they then went down 6-1 at Alexandra Palace on Friday. They followed that by losing 4-0 to Manchester Storm - beaten 4-1 at Cardiff Devils in their opening game - at the MEN Arena last night, Slovakian Miroslav Skovira bagging a hat-trick and netminder Jayme Platt posting a 19-save shut-out.

Sheffield had to come from 2-1 down to beat Cardiff 5-2 at the Hallam FM Arena on Sunday with new recruit Mike Peron and veteran Brent Bobyck claiming a brace apiece.

Belfast Giants bounced back from their 5-2 home defeat by Coventry Blaze on Saturday to trounce Basingstoke Bison 10-4 at Planet Ice, Paxton Schulte, Brad Kenny and Jason Ruff all helping themselves to hat-tricks.

Blaze failed to follow up their heroics in Belfast as they went down 4-1 at home to Nottingham Panthers, who beat Basingstoke 2-1 on Saturday after watching Bison netminder Curtis Cruickshank make 55 saves.