Richards' 3 points help SteelHounds extend streak

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Youngstown is one point away from clinching a playoff berth.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Steelhounds forward Chris Richards handed coach Kevin Kaminski a beer following the Steelhounds' 5-4 win over Oklahoma City Wednesday at the Chevrolet Centre.

The ice cold beer made for a perfect ending to a perfect 5-0 homestand.

Richards scored his career high 100th point early in the victory that gave Youngstown their eighth straight win and a 10-0-1 mark in their last 11 games.

Richards was the star of the game after scoring a goal and two assists. He was recently named the Central Hockey League's Player of the Month for February.

The Steelhounds (31-16-9, 71 points) are on the verge of their first playoff berth following the win over Oklahoma City and moved two points ahead of the Blazers into fourth place. One more SteelHounds point or a lost point by Tulsa will put Youngstown in the playoffs.

Also, Youngstown is just two points behind Memphis for third place in the playoff chase and five points out of first place (Bossier-Shreveport) in the Northeast Division of the Central Hockey League.

"When you're at home you want to put on a good show and win for the fans," Kaminski said. "There is nothing better than winning at home.

"I think these guys realize what they are capable of," Kaminski said. "The heart and character this team is showing right now is incredible."

Road challenge

The Steelhounds will take all the positives and confidence with them as they embark on a road trip against the two teams ahead of them in the standings.

Youngstown will face Bossier-Shreveport on Friday and Memphis on Saturday before returning home to face league-leading Colorado three times.

"A month ago we never thought we could be playing for a chance to win the division," Richards said. "But now, this team is capable of anything.

"We're getting healthy and everyone is contributing and you see the results on the ice."

The Steelhounds started slowly against the Blazers following a thrilling matinee win over the same team on Tuesday.

Youngstown only had six shots on goal in the first period but managed to score two goals.

Matt Hanson got the first goal and the Steelhounds got another skating 3 on 3 because of penalties, on a goal by Jeff Christian.

The Blazers also tallied twice in the first period and the session ended tied 2-2.

Tiebreaker

Youngstown picked up the pace in the second period and scored on Richards goal with 14:19 left for a 3-2 lead.

"I haven't had a scoring year like this since I was a young kid," Richards said. "I owe it all to Jeff [Christian]. He's a great teammate and a great guy to play with."

The Steelhounds tacked on another goal two minutes later on a goal by Stephen Margeson.

Oklahoma City pulled to within 4-3 on a goal by Garrett Prosofsky at 10:51 of the period.

Youngstown tacked on an insurance goal in the third period when Christian picked up a loose puck in the crease and flipped it into the goal for a 5-3 lead.

Christian tallied two more points on the evening to increase his league leading point total to 104 points.

Oklahoma City tallied with 4:48 left on a goal by A.J. MacLean but didn't even get a shot on goal the rest of the way.

"You have to embrace streaks like this," Kaminski said. "At the same time, you have to stay focused. One little thing can cause you to take two-steps backward and then it is tough to get it back."

Thursday, March 8, 2007