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SteelHounds stop Austin's streak, 4-3

February 12, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Austin, TX. - The Youngstown SteelHounds (18-26-2) on Sunday afternoon did what the previous 10 teams that played in the Taylor County Expo Center could not do and that was come away with the victory. Jeff Christian recorded a hat trick as the Hounds won for the third time in their last four road games with a 4-3 victory over the Austin Ice Bats (23-21-3). The loss ended a 10 game home winning streak for the Bats. Simon St. Pierre made 32 saves earning the victory for Youngstown. Julian Smith had two goals and an assist in the loss for Austin.

The SteelHounds continued their strong play on their eight-game road trip by scoring the only goal of the first period and out-chancing the Ice Bats who were kept in the game by the reigning CHL Goaltender of the Month Miguel Beaudry who made 11 saves on 12 shots. The lone goal was scored by Jeff Christian who notched his league-leading 40th goal of the season by taking a deflected Sam Miller shot in the slot and burying it into a partial vacated net. Miller and Joey Sewell had the assists on the goal scored at the 4:52 mark. Simon St. Pierre got the start for Youngstown and came up big making 10 saves in the opening frame.

In the second period, the Bats came out on fire generating several scoring chances in the first few minutes and got back to even with Mike Tucciarone scoring his 21st goal of the season assisted by Julian Smith and Aaron Schneekloth scored at the 1:43 mark of the period tying the game at a goal apiece. Youngstown appeared to have lost momentum until the Bats were on the power play and Christian picked off a pass heading in against Beaudry on a breakaway where he buried a slap shot by the Austin netminder for his second goal of the game and 41st goal of the season scored at the 7:39 mark. The shorthanded goal was the eighth of the season for Youngstown. The SteelHounds added to their lead late in the period with Jonathan Gagnon scoring his first goal in the last 15 games and his 10th of the season assisted by J.F. Labarre and Mario Chinelli scored at the 17:49 mark of the period. Austin outshot the Hounds 14-9 in the period but St. Pierre made 23 saves through two periods.

Once again, Austin scored early in the period as they began the frame on the power play and capitalized with Smith scoring his ninth goal of the season assisted by Schneekloth and Aaron Davis scored at the 1:18 mark of the period. Smith would strike again on the power play at the 14:43 mark tying the game at three goals apiece. Davis and John McNabb drew the assists on Smith's second of the night and 10th goal of the season but Youngstown responded just 13 seconds later as Christian capped off the night with the hat trick and his league-leading ninth game winning goal of the season assisted by Chris Richards and Matt Hanson.

The Bats outshot the Hounds 35-31 in the game as St. Pierre won his first decision since November 22nd and improved to 5-7-0 on the season. Beaudry fell to 11-12-2 making 27 saves in the game.

The Hounds were not awarded a power play all night long (first time in franchise history) as Austin was not whistled for one minor penalty but took advantage scoring twice on five man advantages.

The road trip continues for the Hounds on Tuesday night in Bossier-Shreveport with a showdown with the NE Division leading Mudbugs. Face-off is scheduled for 8:05 PM (EST).

Game Notes: Austin came into the game allowing the most shots per game at over 37 shots allowed. Jeff Christian extended his point streak to six straight games (6-6=12) with his first period goal. Mario Chinelli has five goals and two assists in his last six games. J.F. Labarre (2-1=3) and Jonathan Gagnon (1-3=4) are each on modest three-game point streaks. Chris Richards third period assist extended his point streak to six straight games (1-8=9).

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