SteelHounds Weekly Report

March 13, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Playoff Spot Clinched as Streak Ends

The Youngstown SteelHounds completed their first and only four game week of the regular season with mixed results as the Hounds went 2-1-1 by sweeping the Oklahoma City Blazers and then going on the road and earning one point out of a possible four against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and the Memphis RiverKings.

Tuesday morning Youngstown State presented the second annual Kids Day Game as the Hounds were able to extend their winning streak to seven with a 4-2 win over the Oklahoma City Blazers in front of a sold out crowd of area youngsters. Wednesday night the SteelHounds were able to take over the coveted fourth seed in the Northern Conference Standings as they upended the Blazers once again by a score of 5-4. Jeff Christian led the way for the Hounds with two goals as Youngstown extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games and their winning streak to eight. After finishing their five game home stand a perfect 5-0-0 it was right back to the road as the Hounds took on division rivals Bossier-Shreveport and Memphis for a weekend road trip. Friday night at the CenturyTel Center was no fun from the beginning as Cam Abbott scored just 19 seconds into the game to give the "Crayfish" the early lead. The first place Mudbugs were up 3-0 with five minutes to play until Matt Hanson scored a power play goal to prevent the Hounds from being shutout for the first time this season as they went onto lose 3-1. The loss ended the Hounds record unbeaten streak at 11 games as well as their road winning streak at five and their overall winning streak at eight. Saturday night was another classic between the Hounds and the Kings as Shaun Landolt scored just 23 seconds into the game to make it 1-0 Hounds. They were up 2-0 after one period but the Kings stormed back with three goals to make the game interesting as Youngstown took a 4-3 lead into the third period. The Hounds seemingly were in control with less than eight minutes to play until Louis Dumont scored a power play goal to force overtime and an eventual shootout. The shootout went the regulation five rounds tied at two so onto sudden death we go and in round 10 Tyler McGregor banked a shot off of David Currie's shoulder and into the back of the net to give Memphis a much needed 5-4 victory on Saturday night.

What's on Tap - The Eagles Come Flying In

The Hounds will have their last three regular season home games this weekend when they take on the first place Colorado Eagles starting on Friday night. The Hounds are currently 31-17-10 (72pts), good for third place in the Northeast division and fourth in the overall Northern Conference Standings. The Eagles are 41-15-1 (83pts) and have first place in the Northwest division and in the Northern Conference standings. This is the Youngstown leg of the five game regular season series with Colorado taking the first two back at the Budweiser Events Center earlier this year. The Hounds have never defeated the Colorado Eagles coming into this series. The Hounds are 17-7-5 at home this year and are on a five game home winning streak while the Eagles are 15-11-1 and are coming off a 1-1-1 road trip where they were shutout by the defending champion Laredo Bucks. The Eagles have outscored the Hounds 9-4 in their two previous meetings this year and welcome back Greg Pankewicz from the 45 day injured reserve list and this man may be the most dangerous weapon in the league as before his injury in November he had 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points in just 11 games played.

That was Some Streak

The Youngstown SteelHounds are currently in the midst of a six game home unbeaten streak as well as a five game home winning streak coming into this weekend. This was a stem of the now best run in team history where the Hounds won eight straight games, five in a row on the road and were unbeaten for 11 consecutive matches. During the streak the Hounds played five consecutive games to at least overtime with four of them going to a shootout as they went 4-0-1 during that stretch en route to now being within striking distance of possible home ice in the first round of the Northern Conference Playoffs. The Hounds are currently five points back of Memphis for second in the division and third overall all the while clinging to just a two point lead on Oklahoma City for the coveted fourth seed in the playoff picture. The fourth seed is important because in this playoff system where the top six teams get in, there are no byes for the first two seeds which means that the highest seeded losing team in the first round will automatically advance to the second round.

Hounds Take Home Best of the Best Honors

Late last week the Central Hockey League announced the results of their annual "Best of the Best" poll with Jeff Christian and Chris Richards racking up seven categories while helping the franchise earn nine of the possible 46 honors. Christian with his league leading 107 points took home first place recognition for best overall player and best on the power play while receiving runner up for best leader, playmaker, stick handler, power forward and smartest player. Chris Richards took home first place for best playmaker, and best stick handler while finishing as a runner up for best on the power play behind Christian. Public Address Announcer Ryan Pritt finished second for the best man on an in house microphone and the Lady SteelHounds received third place honors for best dance team.

By The Numbers

Team

72 Points-6th in CHL

213 Goals-2nd in CHL

33 Road Points-4th in CHL

20 Overtime Games-1st in CHL

3.67 Goals For Per Game- 2nd in CHL

3.12 Goals Against Per Game- 5th in CHL

32.98 Shots For Per Game- 8th in CHL

26.33 Shots Against Per Game- 1st in CHL

22-6-3 when Scoring First

19-1-3 when Leading after one period

24-0-4 when Leading after two periods

9-3-3 when Tied after one period

7-6-1 when Tied after two periods

3-13-4 when Trailing after one period

0-11-5 when Trailing after two periods

Individual

Jeff Christian first in assists (72), points (107), and +/- (+41)

Chris Richards second in assists (65), points (103), and +/- (+36) Second in league for goals (38)

Jeff Alcombrack tied for fifth amongst defensemen in assists (39) and seventh amongst defensemen in points (46)

Kelly Sickavish and Stephen Margeson are tied for sixth amongst defensemen for +/- at +19

Brad Roberts 22 Wins good for 3rd, 2.62 GAA is ninth in CHL

*Don't forget SteelHounds fans that Saturday night is our St. Patrick's Day Celebration with ESPN's Steve Levy and Barry Melrose with a special post game jersey auction and Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day with a 4:05pm and a skate with the Hounds after the game! Individual tickets go on sale this Friday at steelhounds.com, gettix.net, the Chevy Centre Box Office or by calling the Hounds at 747-PUCK!*



Central Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2007


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