Hounds Clinch Second Straight Playoff Birth

March 21, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Ryan Bennett recorded a hat trick as the Hounds defeated the Colorado Eagles 7-4 on Friday night. Youngstown has clinched its second consecutive playoff birth with the win. They are 38-20-5 (81 points) on the season and are 19-9-3 at home. The 38 wins and 81 points set new franchise records for most wins and points in a season. The 19th win at the Chevrolet Centre is the most in franchise history.

Colorado came out flying in the first period as Riley Nelson scored his first of three goals on the night at 1:12 to make it 1-0. Nelson scored all three Colorado goals on the power play as they were 3-10 with the man advantage. He has 37 goals on the season. At 8:56 Joel Irving tied the game with a power play goal of his own for his 26th of the season. The Hounds were 1-8 on the power play. Riley Nelson scored his second of the game at 18:29 to put the Eagles up 2-1 after one period.

In the second period Nelson completed the hat trick at 3:34 to put the Eagles up 3-1 and shrink the Hounds playoff hopes. Youngstown was not denied and answered back as Jeff Genovy scored a shorthanded goal at 15:27 to make it 3-2. Ryan Bennett scored at 18:05 to tie the game at three after 40 minutes.

In the third period Bennett scored his second of the night at 3:11 to give the Hounds a 4-3. Chris Richards added his 23rd of the season at 5:22 to give the Hounds a 5-3 advantage. In a peculiar move Colorado Head Coach Chris Stewart pulled goaltender Sebastien Laplante with 3:30 to play and the Hounds made them pay for it as Jeff Genovy scored his second of the night at 16:29 to put the Hounds up 6-3. Genovy has seven goals on the season with three as a Hound. Ryan Bennett completed the hat trick at 17:35 to put the Hounds up 7-3. Bennett who returned to the lineup on Wednesday after being on the 14 day injured reserve list added two assists for five points on the night. He has scored four goals in his last two games and has six goals and three assists in 10 games this season. The hat trick is the third of the year for Youngstown and the first of the season at the Chevrolet Centre. The Hounds scored six unanswered goals before Dave Iannazzo scored with one second left to finish the scoring at 7-4 but the celebration was on as the Hounds clinched their second straight playoff birth.

Youngstown was out shot 32-11 after two periods and 40-30 for the game. Andy Franck made 37 saves to pick up his 25th win of the season. The seven goal effort gave the fans in attendance free Big Mac's courtesy of McDonald's. The Hounds and Eagles finish the regular season on Saturday night at 7:05 from the Chevrolet Centre. Tickets for Saturday's game as well as playoff tickets are available for $8.00 by calling (330) 747-PUCK. All SteelHounds games are available on ESPN Radio 1240 and SteelHounds.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2008


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