SteelHounds Weekly

Published on March 24, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Overall Record: 39-20-5 (83 points)

Second Place in Northeast Division

Third Seed for Northern Conference Playoffs

Sweep the Eagles, Take the Third Seed

In the most important week, the final week of the regular season the Hounds were able to sweep the defending President's Cup Champion Colorado Eagles in a three game series to clinch their second straight playoff appearance. Wednesday night the Hounds trailed 1-0 after one period but goals from Eric Main, Joel Irving and Ryan Bennett propelled the Hounds to a 3-2 victory. Friday night Riley Nelson recorded a hat trick for the Eagles as they led 3-1 midway through the second period. Ryan Bennett took over as he recorded his first professional hat trick and added two assists and the Hounds rifled off six unanswered goals to win 7-4. Saturday night the Hounds needed a win and a Texas loss to Austin to clinch the third seed. Texas lost but the issue was in Youngstown as the Hounds trailed the Eagles 2-0 into the third period. Ryan Bennett took over again as he scored both goals including one with 43 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime and an eventual shootout. In the shootout Andy Franck stopped four-of-five Eagles shots and Jason Baird and Chris Richards scored as the SteelHounds took the shootout 2-1 to win the game 3-2 and clinch the third seed.

What's on Tap: Possibly 7 More with the Eagles

The Hounds and Eagles are not done playing each other yet as they will now meet in the Northern Conference semifinal best-of-seven series. Despite Youngstown finishing with more points than the Eagles (37-20-7, 81 points), by virtue of winning the Northwest Division Colorado is awarded the second seed and home ice advantage. Game one and two are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night at 9:05EST from the Budweiser Events Center where the Hounds have yet to win a game in its franchise history. The Hounds were 3-1-1 against the Eagles during the regular season. This is a rematch of last year's first round series where the Eagles eliminated Youngstown in six games en route to their second championship in three years. Games three, four and five (if necessary) will be at the Chevrolet Centre on Tuesday, April 1st, Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th at 7:05pm. If needed games six and seven will be in Colorado on Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th at 9:05EST. Tickets for the Hounds home games are available for $8.00 by calling (330) 747-PUCK. All SteelHounds games are available on ESPN Radio 1240 and SteelHounds.com.

Ryan Bennett Named Player of the Week

The Youngstown SteelHounds in conjunction with the Central Hockey League announced today that forward Ryan Bennett has been named the Oakley-CHL Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season. Bennett returned to the lineup Wednesday night after missing ten games with an injury. The fifth year pro from Glens Falls, New York was just what the doctor ordered as in three games against the defending champion Colorado Eagles he had six goals, three assists and was a +9 plus/minus rating. Wednesday night he netted the game winning goal in a 3-2 victory. Friday night with the Hounds down 3-1 in the second period he led the comeback with his first professional hat trick and two assists as the Hounds defeated the Eagles 7-4. Saturday night with the Hounds down 2-0 in the third period he scored both goals including the game tying goal with 43 seconds remaining to force overtime with the Hounds winning 3-2 in a shootout. For the season, Bennett averaged a point per game scoring 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 11 games.

Hello Mr. Franck

One of the big reasons for the Hounds success in capturing the third seed is the play of Andy Franck. Franck is 9-0-1 in his last 10 starts as he finished the season tied for second for most wins in the CHL with a 26-10-4. In the three games against Colorado the 26 year old from Lakewood, Ohio made 98 saves on 104 shots to lead the Hounds past the Eagles in all three contests. Franck was selected as the starter for the Northern Conference in this year's All Star Game and went 7-1-1 in nine starts for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League.

Regular Season in Review

Here is a look at the Hounds regular season both as a team and individually.

Overall Record: 39-20-5 (83 points)

2nd Northeast Division, 4th in CHL

Franchise records in both wins and points

Home Record: 20-9-3

10th in CHL for wins

Franchise Record for most home wins

Road Record: 19-11-2

1st in CHL for wins

Franchise Record for most road wins

Power Play: 60/398, 15.1% (14th in CHL)

Penalty Kill: 73/411, 82.2% (10th in CHL)

17 Shorthanded Goals, 2nd in CHL

2001 Penalty Minutes/ 31.27 PIM's per game

1st in CHL

548 Minor Penalties/ 21-10 Minute Misconducts/ 2 Match Penalties

1st in CHL

107 Major Penalties

2nd in CHL

Chris Richards: 24 goals, 56 assists = 80 points

Led team in assists and points

6th in CHL for assists

13th in CHL for points

Eric Przepiorka: 7 shorthanded assists

1st in CHL

Joel Irving: 26 goals

Led team in goals

Kurtis Dulle: +27

7th in CHL, 4th amongst defensemen

Jason Baird: 6/9 on Shootouts

1st in CHL for attempts and goals

Milan Maslonka: 298 penalty minutes, 28 major penalties

4th in CHL in overall penalty minutes, tied-3rd in majors

David Simoes: 236 penalty minutes, 28 major penalties

1st amongst rookies for most penalty minutes, tied-3rd in majors in CHL

Bryan Lachapelle: 68 minor penalties

1st in CHL

Andy Franck: 26-10-4, 2.85 GAA, .906 save %

2nd in CHL for wins

Kevin Beech: 14-7-1, 2.33 GAA, .913 save %

4th in CHL with for Goals Against Average, tied-3rd with 4 shutouts

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008


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