SteelHounds Weekly Report

Published on March 19, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


It Took Three but the Hounds Finally Get One vs. Eagles

The last weekend of regular season play at the Chevrolet Centre saw three thrilling games between the Hounds and the Colorado Eagles with every game being decided by just one goal as the Hounds were finally able to get that elusive first ever victory against Colorado on Sunday afternoon. Friday night saw the Eagles jump out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals scored within the first two minutes of each period as the Eagles went on to win 3-2. Saturday night was a physical affair with Colorado coming out on top 2-1 thanks to Seth Leonard's third period goal with eight minutes to play. It was on "Fan Appreciation Day" that the Hounds were able to upend the Eagles for the first time in team history and they did it in dramatic fashion. The Hounds were down 2-1 with two seconds to play in the second period until Jeff Alcombrack banked a slap shot off of a Colorado defender and into the net to tie the game at two going into the third period. With the Hounds shorthanded, Chris Richards made a steal at the Colorado blue line and rifled a slap shot past Marco Emond to give the Hounds one of their most significant regular season victories in team history as they won by a score of 3-2.

What's on Tap - Finish the Season, Start the Playoffs

The Youngstown SteelHounds will go on the road to finish the season with a game against each divisional opponent. Friday night they are at the Memphis RiverKings at 8:05, Saturday they will take on the Tulsa Oilers for an 8:35pm start and Sunday the Hounds finish the regular season at the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs with a start time of 5:05pm. All games are available on ESPN Radio 1240AM - The Fan and SteelHounds.com. After the three game set the Hounds will remain on the road for the first two games of the Ray Miron President's Cup Playoffs before returning home for game three on April 4th.

Two Hounds Nominated for MVP

The Youngstown SteelHounds are proud to have two players up for the award of Most Valuable Player for the 2006-2007 season in Jeff Christian and Chris Richards. Christian is the league leader in the point's race with 109 coming from 36 goals and his league leading 73 assists. Chris Richards is second behind Christian is assists with 66 and points with 105. The former Ohio State Buckeye is also second in goals with 39, just one behind fellow MVP candidate, Brent Kelly of the Arizona Sundogs. The Hound tandem is the only two players in the entire Central Hockey League to earn more than 100 points this season. Joining them and Kelly on this year's ballot are Colorado forward Riley Nelson, Justin Quenneville of the Corpus Christi Rayz and Bossier-Shreveport goaltender John Decaro.

Unlikely One-Two Punch

When the Hounds get hot it is usually when multiple players start going on scoring streaks. Well they have two players right now in Stephen Margeson and Mark Odut who are trying to reignite the flame that led the Hounds to an 8-2-1 February and an 11 game unbeaten streak as both men are currently riding a four game point streak. Odut is in his first season as a SteelHound but spent two years with head coach Kevin Kaminski when they were in Missouri with the now defunct Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League. The forward has an assist in each of his last four games bringing him up to 15 assists to go with six goals for 21 points in 42 games. For defenseman Stephen Margeson, the former Memphis RiverKing is having a breakout year in his first time up to the Mahoning Valley as he has three goals and an assist in his last four games. This season the Banff, Alberta native has 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points to go with his +20 rating which is good for best amongst SteelHound defensemen.

By The Numbers

Team

74 Points-6th in CHL

219 Goals-Tied for 2nd in CHL

33 Road Points-7th in CHL

20 Overtime Games-1st in CHL

3.59 Goals For Per Game- 3rd in CHL

3.08 Goals Against Per Game- 5th in CHL

32.84 Shots For Per Game- 8th in CHL

26.03 Shots Against Per Game- 1st in CHL

22-7-3 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 (73), points (109), and +/- (+43)

Chris Richards second in assists (66), points (105), and +/- (+37) Second in league for goals (39)

Jeff Alcombrack sixth amongst defensemen in assists (40) and seventh amongst defensemen in points (48)

Stephen Margeson sixth amongst defensemen for +/- at +20

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

*Don't forget SteelHound fans that individual playoff tickets are on sale now at steelhounds.com, gettix.net, stopping by the Chevy Centre Box Office or by calling the Hounds at (330) 747-PUCK as game three of the first round will be on Wednesday, April 4th right here at the Chevrolet Centre.*

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2007


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