Hounds Eye Second Straight Playoff Birth

March 20, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Youngstown SteelHounds are one point away from clinching their second straight playoff birth. The Hounds (37-20-5, 79 points) have set franchise records for wins and points in a single season and can clinch a playoff birth on Friday night when they host the Colorado Eagles at 7:05. Youngstown needs at least one point which can happen a number of ways. A win or an overtime loss to Colorado will clinch a spot. A Rocky Mountain (35-21-6, 76 points) loss or overtime loss on Friday night at Tulsa will also clinch a playoff birth for the Hounds.

Last season Youngstown advanced to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in just their second year of operation. They were eliminated by the eventual champion Colorado Eagles in six games in the Northern Conference Quarterfinals.

The President's Cup Playoff format this season features five teams from each conference qualifying with the four and five seeds playing a best-of-three series. The winner will then meet the number one seed in a best-of-seven conference semifinal round. The two and three seeds will face-off in a best-of-seven semifinal round.

Northern Conference Standings as of March 20, 2008

Bossier-Shreveport: 42-14-6, 90 points - Governor's Cup Champions (Best overall record)

Colorado: 37-19-6, 80 points - Northwest Division Leader

Texas: 40-20-2, 82 points - Clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night

Youngstown: 37-20-5, 79 points

Mississippi: 36-21-4, 76 points - Owns head-to-head tiebreaker on Rocky Mountain

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Rocky Mountain: 35-21-6, 76 points

The Hounds two remaining regular season games are Friday and Saturday night at the Chevrolet Centre against the Colorado Eagles. Tickets for both games as well as playoff tickets are on sale for $8.00 by calling (330) 747-PUCK. Keep checking SteelHounds.com for information on potential dates for playoff games. All SteelHounds games are available on ESPN Radio 1240 and SteelHounds.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2008


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