SteelHounds Weekly Report

December 26, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Hounds Take the Series versus the Frozen Rats with Wings

The SteelHounds finished their three-games-in-three-nights set with the Austin Ice Bats just before Christmas and ended up taking four out of six points. The Hounds started with a defensive battle between the two netminders as David Currie and Miguel Beaudry put on a clinic on Thursday night. The Hounds won 2-1 in a shootout with John Wheaton scoring in the third period and Jeff Christian scoring in the shootout earning the game winner. On Friday, the SteelHounds played well and outshot the Ice Bats 35-17 but Austin back-up goaltender Kevin Couture was outstanding stopping all but a Christian power play goal. On Saturday, the Hounds rebounded with rookie goaltender Brad Roberts earning his sixth win in nine starts and Chris Richards tallying two goals. Christian continued his hot play tying a franchise record with four helpers.

What's on Tap - First Place on the Line Versus RiverKings

What a way to close out 2006 as the Hounds and the Memphis RiverKings battle twice this week in what could be a battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division. The Kings currently hold a four-point advantage over the Hounds and play on Tuesday at Bossier-Shreveport (a chance to push up to as much as a six-point advantage). Regardless of whether the SteelHounds can catch Memphis or not, the four points on the line Dec. 29 & Dec. 30 are still about as critical as a two-game series in late December can be. Thus far this season, the teams have met four times with Youngstown going 2-1-1 (last year the Hounds were 1-7-1 versus Memphis). Two of the four games have gone to a shootout with each team winning once and all four games have been played on the road for the Hounds. Jeff Christian leads the way with 10 points (4-6=10) and Chris Richards has nine points (4-5=9) in the four games to date. Former RiverKings defenseman Stephen Margeson leads the way with a +5 and has a goal and an assist. The games have been physical with the teams combining for 312 PIM's in the four games (78 minutes/game). A Hounds franchise record and 2006-07 CHL season-high 216 minutes (14 fighting majors) occurred on Oct. 21 in a 4-2 Youngstown win.

Note: Memphis is 10-1-3 in one-goal games and are an impressive 6-2-0 on the road this year.

The Christian Coalition Makes a Statement in December

Hounds Captain Jeff Christian is having a "December to Remember" making a case for CHL Player of the Month. He has notched a point in every game thus far in the Christmas month totaling eight goals with 17 assists and a +12. His current 13-game point streak (10-19=29) is the longest this season in the CHL. In comparison to last year's 107-point season, the Canfield, Ohio resident had 19 points (8-11=19) and was a -13 in December of 2005. The First Team CHL All-Star still has two games remaining in the month and could reach the 50-point plateau needing just one point this weekend versus Memphis. Overall this season, Christian has 49 points (16-33=49) which leads the CHL by three points over teammate Chris Richards (16-30=46).

Power Play Still Lacking That Esdale Electricity

The SteelHounds have made some improvements with the power play but are still falling quickly ranking 11th in the CHL with a 15.1% success rate. Their current slump has them 12 for their last 117 (10%) dating back to Nov. 18. Prior to that, the team was 22 for their previous 108 (20%). The absence of Paul Esdale from the line-up has made a huge impact as the Hounds are just 4 for 50 (8%) with him missing from the point. Esdale has missed seven games due to various injuries. Jeff Christian (nine PP goals) and Chris Richards (eight PP goals) lead the way with the man-advantage.

Injury Note: Paul Esdale missed all three games versus Austin and has missed seven of the last 11 games with various injuries but is expected to be at 100% when the Hounds face the RiverKings this weekend. Esdale is among the top scoring defensemen in the CHL despite missing so much time. He currently has six goals and 17 assists for 23 points with a +8. After a brief four-game pointless streak (Nov. 18-25) the Edmonton native has notched four assists in his last four games.

By the Numbers (through Dec. 25)

The SteelHounds are scattered throughout the league leaders in many categories both as a team and individually:

Team

33 points - 4th in the CHL

95 goals - 2nd in the CHL

261 - 1st in player points

17 road points - 3rd in the CHL

7 SHG's - tied for 3rd in the CHL

30 1st period goals - 3rd in the CHL

40 2nd period goals - 2nd in the CHL

3.65 goals/game - 3rd in CHL

27.15 shots allowed/game - 1st in the CHL

Individual

Jeff Christian- 49 points (1st), 9 PPG's (3rd), 33 assists (1st), 16 goals (t-3rd), +18 (2nd), 115 shots (5th)

Chris Richards- 46 points (2nd), 30 assists (2nd), +17 (3rd), 16 goals (t-3rd), 120 shots (2nd)

Paul Esdale- 23 points (7th among d-men), 6 goals (t-3rd among d-men)

Jeff Alcombrack- 20 points (t-11th among d-men)

Elvis Continues to Work Harder now than when he was Alive! The SteelHounds will be wearing special Elvis Jerseys on December 29th and December 30th when the Hounds take on the Memphis RiverKings. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday.

Bring Some Friends; Save Some $$$!!!

Bring your group out for a fun night with the SteelHounds. Discounted group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Groups receive great benefits such as; P.A. recognition and a SteelHounds prize pack. Call (330) 747-PUCK to book your group today!!

Some Useless Facts

- Kelly Sickavish scored his first goal of the season in his 26th game...last year he scored his first goal in his 40th game of the season and finished the year with two goals.

- The Hounds were outshot on Saturday night for just the fifth time this season...they are 3-1-1 when this happens.

- Jeff Alcombrack and Kelly Sickavish both scored goals on Saturday marking the first time since Nov. 17 that the Hounds have had two goals from defensemen in a game and just the fourth time this season.

- The Hounds are 2 for 20 (10%) on the PP on current home stand and have stopped 12 of 13 (92%).

- Chris Shaffer has 11 points on the road and just five points at home.

- Tab Lardner has 10 points on the road and just two points at home.

- Brad Roberts is 4-0 at the Chevrolet Centre.

- Stephen Margeson has six points at home and two points on the road.

- SteelHounds record by month: 4-0 in Oct., 4-4-4 in Nov. and 6-3-1 in Dec. (two games remaining)



Central Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2006


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