SteelHounds Weekly Report

Published on January 29, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Hounds Bark Bigger Than Sting of the Killer Bees

The SteelHounds earned five of six points over the weekend versus the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees going 2-0-1. The Bees took game number one with a 3-2 shootout victory. The Hounds returned the favor on Saturday night with a 5-4 shootout win and Youngstown scored an early goal Sunday tearing the wings right off the Bees en route to a 5-0 shutout triumph. The SteelHounds outshot Rio Grande by 52 shots over the three games and rattled off a franchise record 55 shots on Friday. The line of Shaun Landolt, Tab Lardner and Mark Odut were solid in both ends of the rink all three games and the trio combined for five goals and seven assists. The early goal Sunday was scored by Landolt who found the back of the net just nine seconds into the contest. A trio of players in Landolt, Lardner and Garret Larson finished the three-game set with five points apiece. The veteran Rob Voltera led the way with two goals and an assist for the Bees.

What's on Tap - Three-Game Road Trip Ahead for Hounds

The SteelHounds hit the road for their longest remaining road trip of the season covering three games in four days and 3,704 miles. The trip begins on Wednesday night versus the CHL's top team, the Colorado Eagles. Youngstown is 0-5 all-time versus the Eagle and 0-3 in the Budweiser Events Center. The Eagles defeated the Hounds 4-2 on January 5th in what was the only meeting this season between the two teams. Defenseman Aaron Schneekloth had two goals (including the game winner) and an assist in the Eagles win. The next night represents the fourth and final meeting of the season between the Hounds and the Rocky Mountain Rage. Y-Town is 3-0 thus far outscoring the expansion rage 14-8. Jeff Christian has scored three goals with three assists versus Rocky Mountain and Chris Richards has also contributed six points (two goals). The road trip concludes with the only regular season meeting versus the Odessa Jackalopes. Youngstown went 1-1-1 versus the Jacks last season.

Jan. 31, @ Colorado (9:05 PM est)- The Eagles (30-8-0, 60 points) are 19-2 at home and are returning from a three-game road trip that saw them go 1-2. The Eagles are 1-3 in their last four games overall and has their 19 game home winning streak snapped in their last home contest on January 24th versus Laredo (3-1)

Feb. 1, @ Rocky Mountain (9:05 PM est)- The Rage (10-24-4, 24 points) are the worst team in the CHL boasting just 24 points on the season (nine fewer than any other team). They ended a nine-game losing skid this past weekend with a pair of wins over Arizona. The Rage is 8-8-2 at home and have scored just 98 total goals this season (2.58/game).

Feb. 3, @ Odessa, (8:00 PM est)- Odessa (16-19-4, 36 points) is in the midst of some change having released their coach (Don McKee) of his duties after seven years with the organization. Doug Johnson has been named the interim Head Coach and looks to get the Jacks back into the top spot in the Southwest Division where they are six points behind front running New Mexico and two points out of a playoff spot. The Jacks have lost six straight games and four of five at home.

ARMY - Strong

SteelHounds rookie goaltender Brad Roberts has been steadily improving this season and is coming off arguably his best weekend as a pro. The WestPoint graduate has started eight straight games and is 3-4-1 over that stretch but has allowed just 18 goals over that span (2.25 GAA). Over his last three games, Roberts is 2-0-1 with a 2.00 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Roberts, nicknamed ARMY, turned away 23 shots in Sunday's 5-0 victory, his first professional shutout. On the season, Roberts is 10-7-3 with a 2.82 GAA (tied for 8th in the CHL).

Glad to Have You Back

Defenseman Matt Hanson was signed by the SteelHounds prior to the team's weekend series with the Killer Bees and was a welcomed addition. In the three games he played this past weekend, the second-year pro had an assist in each game and was a +2. Last season, Hanson was voted the team's Most Improved Player after totaling 18 points (10-8 =18) in 31 games with the Hounds.

Quick Draw Landolt

Shaun Landolt ended a goal-scoring draught this past weekend scoring three times in the teams five point stint versus Rio Grande Valley. Landolt has been without a goal in 2007 (nine games) before scoring twice in Saturday's 5-4 shootout victory and scoring just nine seconds into the game on Sunday. On the weekend, Landolt had five points (3-2 =5) and was a +4. His goal nine seconds into the game set a franchise record eclipsing the old mark of 32 seconds set last season by Ben Manny in a game versus the Fort Worth Brahmas.

Larson Prepares for Game versus Old Mates

Once upon a time Garrett Larson soared with the Eagles playing all of last season and the first half of this season with the CHL's elite team, the Colorado Eagles. Larson was recently dealt to the SteelHounds and since has been barking with the dogs. On Wednesday, Larson gets to play for the first time against his former team. Larson has been a star in three of the five games he has played with Youngstown and has scored a goal in four of the five games. Thus far he has totaled seven points (5-2 =7) and is a +2. The second-year pro has amassed 33 shots on goal in the five games with the Hounds.

Someone Check the Fuse; Penalty Kill Improving

The power has been turned off by the Hounds lately as they have slipped below 15 percent on the power play and are coming off a 3 for 21 showing over the three-game weekend versus the Killer Bees. The SteelHounds are 12th in the CHL at 14.6 percent on the season and are in the midst of a stretch that has them 3 for their last 35 (8.5%) and dating further back 6 for their last 57 (10.5%). On the other side of the ledger, the SteelHounds have stopped 29 of their last 33 shorthanded chances (88%) and are coming off a weekend that saw them turn away 12 of 14 Rio Grande power plays. Youngstown has three shorthanded goals in their last 10 games.

By the Numbers (through Jan. 28)

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

Team

44 points - 7th in the CHL

136 goals - 5th in the CHL

22 road points - 3rd in the CHL

11 SHG's - 3rd in the CHL

14 Overtime games - 1st in the CHL

56 2nd period goals - 1st in the CHL

3.49 goals/game - 5th in CHL

33.62 shots for /game - 5th in the CHL

26.28 shots allowed/game - 1st in the CHL

15-0-3 when leading after two periods

0-7-4 when trailing after two periods

3-6-1 when tied after two periods

Individual

Jeff Christian- 67 points (1st), 11 PPG's (t-4th), 44 assists (1st), 23 goals (t-5th), +29 (1st), 173 shots (4th) 4 SHG's (t-3rd)

Chris Richards- 64 points (2nd), 43 assists (2nd), +24 (3rd), 12 PPG's (t-1st), 47 points 3-Star Contest (1st)

Brad Roberts- 2.82 GAA (t-8th)

Jeff Alcombrack- 27 points (11th among d-men)

Hockey 101 for Women

The SteelHounds are offering a special event for the ladies with their Hockey 101 for Women on Wednesday, February 7th from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event will allow ladies to participate in an educational class that talks about the rules of hockey, different strategy sessions and knowing the equipment. Head Coach Kevin Kaminski will conduct the class with the aid of several SteelHounds players. The cost for the class is $35.00 which includes a ticket for the Hounds game on Feb. 8th versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. For more information, call the Hounds at 330-747-PUCK (7825).

In Case You Were Wondering

- The Hounds have outshot their opponent 191-116 in their last five games (38.2-23.2)

- Brad Patterson missed the last two games and John Wheaton has missed the last three games with undisclosed injuries.

- Josh Reed, Joey Sewell and Jason Spence remain on the injured reserve.

- Matt Hanson has assist in each of the three games he has played for the Hounds thus far.

- Chris Richards scored his 200th goal in Saturday's victory over Rio Grande and has two goals and three assists in his last four games.

- Shaun Landolt had five points (2-3 =5) in the 20 games prior to Saturday night but has totaled five points (3-2 =5) in his last two games.

- Mark Odut has two goals and four assists with a +4 in his last six games.

- Tab Lardner has six goals and nine assists (15 points) in his last 13 games.

- Stephen Margeson has two goals and five assists in his last seven games and four points (1-3 =4) over his last three games.

- Kelly Sickavish has been a plus or even in 34 of 39 games this season and leads all Hounds defensemen with a +15.

- Jeff Christian a goal and three assists in his last four games.

- SteelHounds record by month: 4-0 in Oct., 4-4-4 in Nov., 6-4-2 in Dec. and 4-5-2 in Jan.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2007


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