The Hives suffered a narrow defeat to NHL ice hockey team the Vancouver Canucks last Friday, it has emerged.

The self-professed greatest band in the world went down 6-5 to the Canadian professionals– who were playing with reduced numbers.

The game at General Motors Place in Vancouver took place ahead of the band’s performance at the city’s Commodore Ballroom later that evening.

The match also coincided with the release of the band’s latest single, ‘We Rule The World’, which was released on Monday (February 25th).

The single includes remixes from Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and Editors bass player Russell Leetch.

(by Jason Gregory)