Published: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Players respond to a new coach
The CHL's all-star game was Wednesday night in Bossier City.
YOUNGSTOWN — At the halfway point of the 2006-07 Central Hockey League season there is a much different perspective for the Youngstown SteelHounds.
Guided by first year coach Kevin Kaminski, the SteelHounds are 16-11-7 and the fourth seed in the Northern Conference playoff picture.
Last season Youngstown won just 24 just games for the entire season and was 14-19-1 at the all-star break.
Improvements made
"We knew that last year's team was not up to par," said SteelHounds general manager Joe Gregory. "Improvements needed to be made and in almost every area I feel we have made those improvements. It is clear that Kevin is a very good teacher and a player's coach that these guys have responded to and have gone to battle for."
The league's all-star game was Wednesday night in Bossier City, La. SteelHounds' Chris Richards and Jeff Christian were chosen as starters for the Northern Conference.
Last year Christian scored 107 points — he had 51 at the break — and this year he's 11 points ahead of that pace, with 22 goals and 40 assists.
Richards a factor
Another improvement is the play of Richards, who has improved his point total from a year ago to 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists), up 10 points from the previous season. Christian and Richards are 1-2 in the CHL point race.
"Our play has been paced since the first game of the season by both Jeff and Chris," said Kaminski. "Their leadership and abilities on the ice translate to a harmonious, balanced dressing room. There is time to have fun but that is earned and the players know it. Work hard and win games, you can play hard."
The defense has shown consistency this season, led by Kelly Sickavish, who leads the defense with plus-13 plus-minus rating. He has been complemented by newcomer Stephen Margeson (six goals, six assists) who was signed in the offseason, and returnee Jeff Alcombrack (four goals, 21 assists) who is healthy after missing all of last season with a broken ankle.
First-half recap
The SteelHounds' first half has been marred by injuries. Forwards Joey Sewell and Jason Spence have missed most of the season and defenseman Josh Reed is out until mid-February. All-Star defenseman Paul Esdale left the team several weeks ago to pursue another opportunity in Germany.
"We have certainly had some challenges," said Kaminski. "But I am proud of the way we battled and I think we are in a good position to make a serious run."
The SteelHounds are at home for 19 of their remaining 31 games, including eight home games in March. With road trips of eight and six games completed, Youngstown has a league-best 22 points on the road (9-8-4). Last season the SteelHounds were 6-14-1 away from the Chevrolet Centre through 21 contests.
Road warriors
"It is difficult enough with all the travel this team has to do to stay healthy and fresh for road games," said Gregory. "What Kevin and the team have accomplished as 'road warriors' is really remarkable and the biggest reason why we are in the position we are in. If we had similar results to last season on the road we would be struggling to make the post season now."
The SteelHounds begin the second half of their season Friday when they play host to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at the Chevrolet Centre. It is the first of five straight home games for Youngstown.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
The CHL's all-star game was Wednesday night in Bossier City.
YOUNGSTOWN — At the halfway point of the 2006-07 Central Hockey League season there is a much different perspective for the Youngstown SteelHounds.
Guided by first year coach Kevin Kaminski, the SteelHounds are 16-11-7 and the fourth seed in the Northern Conference playoff picture.
Last season Youngstown won just 24 just games for the entire season and was 14-19-1 at the all-star break.
Improvements made
"We knew that last year's team was not up to par," said SteelHounds general manager Joe Gregory. "Improvements needed to be made and in almost every area I feel we have made those improvements. It is clear that Kevin is a very good teacher and a player's coach that these guys have responded to and have gone to battle for."
The league's all-star game was Wednesday night in Bossier City, La. SteelHounds' Chris Richards and Jeff Christian were chosen as starters for the Northern Conference.
Last year Christian scored 107 points — he had 51 at the break — and this year he's 11 points ahead of that pace, with 22 goals and 40 assists.
Richards a factor
Another improvement is the play of Richards, who has improved his point total from a year ago to 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists), up 10 points from the previous season. Christian and Richards are 1-2 in the CHL point race.
"Our play has been paced since the first game of the season by both Jeff and Chris," said Kaminski. "Their leadership and abilities on the ice translate to a harmonious, balanced dressing room. There is time to have fun but that is earned and the players know it. Work hard and win games, you can play hard."
The defense has shown consistency this season, led by Kelly Sickavish, who leads the defense with plus-13 plus-minus rating. He has been complemented by newcomer Stephen Margeson (six goals, six assists) who was signed in the offseason, and returnee Jeff Alcombrack (four goals, 21 assists) who is healthy after missing all of last season with a broken ankle.
First-half recap
The SteelHounds' first half has been marred by injuries. Forwards Joey Sewell and Jason Spence have missed most of the season and defenseman Josh Reed is out until mid-February. All-Star defenseman Paul Esdale left the team several weeks ago to pursue another opportunity in Germany.
"We have certainly had some challenges," said Kaminski. "But I am proud of the way we battled and I think we are in a good position to make a serious run."
The SteelHounds are at home for 19 of their remaining 31 games, including eight home games in March. With road trips of eight and six games completed, Youngstown has a league-best 22 points on the road (9-8-4). Last season the SteelHounds were 6-14-1 away from the Chevrolet Centre through 21 contests.
Road warriors
"It is difficult enough with all the travel this team has to do to stay healthy and fresh for road games," said Gregory. "What Kevin and the team have accomplished as 'road warriors' is really remarkable and the biggest reason why we are in the position we are in. If we had similar results to last season on the road we would be struggling to make the post season now."
The SteelHounds begin the second half of their season Friday when they play host to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at the Chevrolet Centre. It is the first of five straight home games for Youngstown.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
At the halfway point of the 2006-07 Central Hockey League season there is a much different perspective for the...
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