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SteelHounds rally to upend Oilers in shootout

February 7, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Tulsa, OK. - The Youngstown SteelHounds (16-25-2) ended their five-game losing skid on Tuesday morning coming from behind for a 5-4 shootout victory over the Tulsa Oilers (20-19-4). Jeff Christian scored a pair of goals and Mario Chinelli scored the only goal in the shootout leading the Hounds to the victory.

The SteelHounds skated very well in the first 20 minutes taking the lead at the 1:47 mark with Chris Shaffer taking a great pass from Matt Hanson and knocking the puck just inside the post by Chris King for his fourth goal of the season. The assist was given to Hanson, his first point with the SteelHounds. Tulsa came back to tie the game on a harmless looking shot by Marek Dora who scored his second goal of the season assisted by Henry Kuster and Jim Dahl at the 7:01 mark. The Oilers took the lead on a re-directed shot by Klage Kaebel who was camped out in front of David St. Germain. For Kaebel it was his 11th goal of the season assisted by Mike Possin and Todd Paul at the 10:48 mark. Youngstown tied the game before the intermission taking advantage of the only power play chance either team received in the opening frame. Chris Richards sent a pass in front of the net to Jeff Chirstian who buried a backhanded shot over King for his 38th goal of the season assisted by Darryl Lloyd and Richards at the 14:56 mark. Tulsa outshot the Hounds 16-11 as St. Germain made 14 saves and King stopped nine shots.

The teams battled in the second period with the Oilers taking seven shots on goal in the first four minutes of the period but St. Germain was sharp turning away everything until the 12:00 mark just after the Hounds had failed to convert on a power play. Mario Joly set up in front of the net and jammed a rebound by St. Germain for his 11th goal of the season assisted by Dora and Paxton Schulte. Tulsa outshot the Hounds 17-10 in the period and led 33-21 through two periods of play with Tulsa leading 3-2.

The Hounds tied the game in the third period with Christian scoring his second of the game and 39th of the season while on the power play. Richards and J.R. Holmes had the assists on the goal scored at the 4:23 mark of the period tying the game at 3-3. Tulsa answered right back with Henry Kuster scoring his 24th goal of the season assisted by Jim Dahl and Jaroslav Cesky giving the Oilers a 4-3 lead. The Hounds worked hard trying to get back to even and finally at the 17:08 mark on a failed clear attempt by Tulsa Simo Pulkki took the puck walked around a sliding player and pulled the trigger scoring his first goal with the Hounds and second of the season tying the score at four goals apiece.

Youngstown had several chances in overtime including a power play chance that carried over form the end of the third period. The Hounds took the only five shots of the overtime.

The game eventually went to a shootout where David St. Germain stopped all five Oilers shooters and Mario Chinelli scored the only goal the Hounds would need in the shootout giving him goals in each of the last three games.

St. Germain finished the game with 38 saves earning his 12th victory of the season. King made 33 saves failing to 6-9-2. Tulsa outshot the Hounds 42-37 in the game.

The road trip continues for the Hounds on Friday night with an 8:05 PM (EST) face-off versus the Memphis RiverKings in the DeSoto Civic Center.

Game Notes: The Hounds were without Joey Sewell and Kris Mallette who missed his fourth straight game with a lower-body injury. C.J. McConnell played in his first game since Jan. 20 (he missed six straight games). The Hounds have scored a power play goal in each of their last four games. Chris Shaffer's goal was his first since December 30th in Colorado. The Hounds are 2-1 in shootouts this season.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2006


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