SteelHounds Slap Shots

Published on March 22, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Home Sweet Home - Home Playoff Dates Announced

The SteelHounds had their first round home playoff dates confirmed by the league with April 4th, 6th and 7th (if necessary) marking the dates. The opponent is yet to be determined as is when the Hounds begin the best-of-seven series that will be formatted as a 2-3-2 series. Youngstown finished the regular season with an 18-9-5 record at home (six of the nine losses came by one goal). The 37 home points are 11 more than the Hounds inaugural season (2005-06) when they posted a 12-18-2 record at home.

Stealth Mission - Roberts Flying Under the Radar

Youngstown goaltender Brad Roberts continues to stay under the radar of teams in the CHL as he was recently left off the ballots for Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the league. The first-year netminder from Army is currently 22-12-4 ranking third in the CHL in wins and ninth with a 2.62 goals against average. Many rookies hit the wall in the second half of the season but the Cassville, New York native hit his stride posting a 14-7-2 record after the all-star break with two shutouts. In the 23 games played, Roberts allowed three or fewer goals in 17 of them and finished with a 2.26 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Roberts rattled off a franchise record eight-game winning streak from February 21st through March 7th.

Career Years - Several Hounds Setting High Marks

With the regular season winding down, several Hounds have established or are close to establishing career highs in numerous categories. One of the biggest breakthrough seasons belongs to defenseman Stephen Margeson who currently has 16 goals (third among all d-men in the league) and 21 assists for 37 points. His previous highs in his five plus seasons of playing in the CHL with Memphis were three goals and nine assists. Brad Patterson has more assists (26) and points (39) this year than any other season and is just two goals shy of his career high. Defenseman Jeff Alcombrack's 40 assists and 48 points have shattered his previous highs of 24 assists and 35 points. MVP candidates Chris Richards and Jeff Christian have each also set career highs this season in both cases beating marks set last season. For Richards he has nine more goals (39) than any other season and 13 more points (105). His 137 penalty minutes are also the most in any one season. For Christian, his 109 points are two more than last season and his 73 helpers are 21 more than he has had in any other season.

This Week

Friday: Youngstown at Memphis, 8:05 PM (Hounds are 6-2-3 versus RiverKings this season)

Saturday: Youngstown at Tulsa, 8:35 PM (Hounds are 2-2-1 versus Oilers and 1-1 in Tulsa)

Sunday: Youngstown at Bossier-Shreveport, 5:05 PM (Hounds are 2-2 at CenturyTel Center in 2006-07)

***All games can be heard on ESPN Radio, 1240, The Fan or via the internet at www.steelhounds.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2007


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