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SteelHounds Return Home

February 21, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


SteelHounds This Week

The SteelHounds return home after a successful road trip that began back on February 6th. Over the trip, the Hounds went 5-2-1. On Wednesday, the Hounds begin a five-game home stand that has them facing the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs three times and the Austin Ice Bats twice. Should the season end today, both the ‘Bugs and Bats would qualify for the post season. This year, the Hounds have played the Mudbugs four times winning twice and earning points in three of the four games. All four contests were in the CenturyTel Center. Versus the Bats, the SteelHounds are 1-0 defeating Austin 4-3 back on February 12th ending the Ice Bats 10-game home winning streak. Jeff Christian netted a hat trick in the victory. Beginning with tonight's game, Youngstown plays 10 of their last 14 games in the Chevrolet Centre. All games can be heard on ESPN Radio- 1240, The Fan and on the Hounds Webcast accessible through www.steelhounds.com. "Countdown to Face-Off" begins 15 minutes prior to face-off.

Feb. 22 Vs. Bossier-Shreveport 7:05 PM (EST) The Hounds are 2-1-1 versus the Mudbugs this season

Feb. 24 Vs. Bossier-Shreveport 7:05 PM (EST) Coach J.F. Laforest led the Mudbugs to two WPHL Championships

Feb. 25 Vs. Bossier-Shreveport 7:05 PM (EST) Jeff Christian has 11 points (6-5=11) in four games versus Bossier-Shreveport

Road Trip Ends With A Bang

The SteelHounds finished their eight-game road trip on Monday in Fort Worth in the same fashion that they began it 16 days prior in Tulsa, with a shootout victory. Three of the eight games went to extra time with Youngstown winning two shootouts and dropping one. The Hounds overall record was 5-2-1 on the trip finishing it with a three-game point streak (2-0-1). Over the road trip, Youngstown's offense averaged 4.6 goals per game and the power play went 12 for 38 (31.6%).

Super Mario!

Rookie Mario Chinelli was one of several Hounds that had a strong road trip notching five goals and three assists in the eight games. Chinelli was a plus- 1 and the Hounds went 3-0-1 in the four games he mustered at least a point in. On the season, Chinelli has 13 goals and 18 assists in 50 games. His 31 points rank him seventh among all CHL rookies.

You ‘Da Man

Ben Manny helped lead the Hounds to victory Monday night scoring a pair of goals including the game winner in Youngstown's 5-4 shootout victory. On the recently completed eight-game road trip, Manny scored four goals with three assists. Twice, Manny was able to contribute two-goal games.

Shaffer = Chauffer

Chris Shaffer has been driving his line of Ben Manny, Darryl Lloyd and himself leading the trip to strong play on the club's road trip. In the eight games, the rookie had four goals and three assists and scored a point in five of the eight games. On the season, Shaffer has seven goals and nine assists.

50 - 50 - 50???

Jeff Christian followed up the nine point week he had last week, good enough to earn him CHL Oakley Player of the Week honors, with an eight point week in three games. Christian is coming off a goal and an assist in Monday's victory in Fort Worth and comes home from the team's eight-game road trip with a 10-game point streak that has him with nine goals and 13 assists. Christian left 16 days ago on his journey trailing CHL leading point scorer Derek Hahn by 13 points but has cut that deficit to just four points as Christian sits with 81 points (45-36=81) to Hahn's 85 points. The Hounds Captain leads the CHL with his 45 goals.

Special Teams Are Indeed Special

The Hounds have found some electricity on their power play recently going 12 for 38 on their eight-game road trip connecting at close to 32 percent. Youngstown has scored a PP goal in nine of their last 11 games and have had multiple PP goal games five times over that span. On the penalty kill, the Hounds have killed 11 straight and 26 of their last 28 shorthanded chances.

Richards And Christian Streaks Hit Double Digits

Two SteelHounds enter the week on 10-game point streaks. Chris Richards has notched a goal with 14 assists over the last 10 games and has recorded an assist in each of those contests marking the second longest assist streak this season in the CHL (Travis Clayton had a 12-game assist streak). Jeff Christian is also riding a 10-game point streak with nine goals and 13 assists over that span. The 10-game streaks are the longest in franchise history.

Beach Night Set For Saturday

Come in your best beach attire on Saturday night (Feb. 25) when the Hounds battle the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at the Chevrolet Centre. During the intermissions, contestants will heat up the ice in both women's and men's swimsuit competitions with great prizes to be awarded to the finalists. Also, there will be a winter expo in the concourse, courtesy of Cumulus Radio, which will showcase many of the valley's top businesses. It is going to be so hot, let's hope the ice doesn't melt.

Greenwood Chevrolet Appearance

The SteelHounds will be on hand at Greenwood Chevrolet Hummer on Thursday night signing autographs and meeting with the fans from 5-8:00 PM. Scheduled to appear are Darryl Lloyd, Chris Shaffer, Ben Manny, Matt Hanson and Sam Miller along with several Lady SteelHounds and Crusher.

Catch the Hounds Webcasts on steelhounds.com

The SteelHounds and Broadcast Monsters.com have joined forces to bring you all the action of the SteelHounds games, both home and on the road. Just log onto steelhounds.com and click on the ‘Listen Live" link and you'll be hearing the call from the "Voice of the Hounds" Bob Hoffman. The SteelHounds are heard locally on WBBW- ESPN Radio, 1240 The Fan.

***Keep up with all the latest Hound promotional news by visiting the brand new steelhounds.com

***Get your tickets for upcoming SteelHounds games by visiting the Chevy Centre box office or by calling 866-4-GETTIX. You can also purchase on-line by visiting steelhounds.com or gettix.net.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2006


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