Published: Saturday, March 3, 2007
Youngstown is two points out of the fourth playoff spot in the Northern Division.
Youngstown is two points out of the fourth playoff spot in the Northern Division.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN — Don't look now, but the Youngstown Steelhounds are playing their best hockey of the season.
The Steelhounds are 7-0-1 in their last eight games after disposing of the Memphis RiverKings 4-1 for the second night in a row at the Chevrolet Centre Friday night.
The win gives the Steelhounds 65 points and keeps them solidly in playoff position of the Northern Division of the Central Hockey League. Youngstown remains two points out of the fourth playoff spot held by Oklahoma City in the six-team playoff field.
The two teams will meet again tonight at 7:05 p.m. to conclude the three-game series.
Taking control
Stephen Margensons' power play goal early in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Steelhounds on to an impressive win.
Matt Hanson added a goal with 11:10 left in the contest and Chris Richards scored an empty-net goal with 1:19 left to close out the scoring.
"I'm very happy with the way we are playing right now," said Steelhounds coach Kevin Kaminski. "We're doing a lot of good things system-wide.
"Our compete level is high, our care factor is next to none and the guys are finding ways to win," Kaminski said. "That's what we need now heading down into the stretch run for the playoffs."
The Steelhounds also need good goal-tending and they got it again on Friday.
Brad Roberts gained his team-record fifth straight win in goal by saving 32 shots, including 15 in the deciding third period.
"The third period was big for us and big for Brad," Kaminski said. "He made every save he had to and put up that big stone wall."
Roberts said that his success was a team effort by the defense.
"We had a strong line-up," Roberts said. "Defense was strong out front. Usually we don't give up that many shots but the guys were there to clear out all the rebounds."
Scoreless start
The two rivals skated to a scoreless first period although Youngstown peppered Memphis goaltender Larry Sterling with 15 shots.
In the second period, Youngstown broke the tie on a goal by Garrett Larson on an assist from rookie Milan Moslonka with 9:01 left.
Memphis tied the game at 4:49 on a goal by Brad Wanchulak.
The contest ended in several fights that should make for an exciting game three tonight.
Dallas Anderson was involved in a fracas that earned him more than 25 penalty minutes in the final seconds of the game.
"There is a lot of hatred and rivalry between the two teams," Roberts said. "It would be great to sweep them and big Dallas Anderson adds some flavor and sugar and spice to every game."
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Youngstown is two points out of the fourth playoff spot in the Northern Division.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN — Don't look now, but the Youngstown Steelhounds are playing their best hockey of the season.
The Steelhounds are 7-0-1 in their last eight games after disposing of the Memphis RiverKings 4-1 for the second night in a row at the Chevrolet Centre Friday night.
The win gives the Steelhounds 65 points and keeps them solidly in playoff position of the Northern Division of the Central Hockey League. Youngstown remains two points out of the fourth playoff spot held by Oklahoma City in the six-team playoff field.
The two teams will meet again tonight at 7:05 p.m. to conclude the three-game series.
Taking control
Stephen Margensons' power play goal early in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Steelhounds on to an impressive win.
Matt Hanson added a goal with 11:10 left in the contest and Chris Richards scored an empty-net goal with 1:19 left to close out the scoring.
"I'm very happy with the way we are playing right now," said Steelhounds coach Kevin Kaminski. "We're doing a lot of good things system-wide.
"Our compete level is high, our care factor is next to none and the guys are finding ways to win," Kaminski said. "That's what we need now heading down into the stretch run for the playoffs."
The Steelhounds also need good goal-tending and they got it again on Friday.
Brad Roberts gained his team-record fifth straight win in goal by saving 32 shots, including 15 in the deciding third period.
"The third period was big for us and big for Brad," Kaminski said. "He made every save he had to and put up that big stone wall."
Roberts said that his success was a team effort by the defense.
"We had a strong line-up," Roberts said. "Defense was strong out front. Usually we don't give up that many shots but the guys were there to clear out all the rebounds."
Scoreless start
The two rivals skated to a scoreless first period although Youngstown peppered Memphis goaltender Larry Sterling with 15 shots.
In the second period, Youngstown broke the tie on a goal by Garrett Larson on an assist from rookie Milan Moslonka with 9:01 left.
Memphis tied the game at 4:49 on a goal by Brad Wanchulak.
The contest ended in several fights that should make for an exciting game three tonight.
Dallas Anderson was involved in a fracas that earned him more than 25 penalty minutes in the final seconds of the game.
"There is a lot of hatred and rivalry between the two teams," Roberts said. "It would be great to sweep them and big Dallas Anderson adds some flavor and sugar and spice to every game."
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Don't look now, but the Youngstown Steelhounds are playing their best hockey of the season.
The Steelhounds are 7-0-1 in...
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