CENTRAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Gagnon's 2 goals pace SteelHounds

The newest member of the Youngstown team led the 3-1 win over Lubbock.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown SteelHounds were in a slump and needed a win in their Central Hockey League game Saturday night at the Chevrolet Centre.
The coach and the players were aware of that, and were trying everything above the ice to battle back from a 1-0 deficit to the Lubbock Cotton Kings after the first period.
And the big crowd in attendance -- it was announced at 3,902 -- knew that their SteelHounds were behind the eight ball, and were cheering on their team to give them a win.
So, Jonathan Gagnon, the newest player on the SteelHounds roster, answered the call and made it happen.
Back-to-back goals
Gagnon, a 25-year-old and a six-year pro who was signed by the SteelHounds Nov. 22, pumped in back-to-back, short-range powerplay goals, one each in the second and third periods, to lift Youngstown a 2-1 lead.
And then veteran-captain Jeff Christian added an insurance, powerplay goal down the stretch to finish off the Cotton Kings and seal the SteelHounds' 3-1 win that broke a three-game losing streak, and a five-game home losing skid.
The SteelHounds (7-10-1), who had lost six of their last seven games at home, cut Lubbock's lead in their series to 2-1 in their final game of the season against the Cotton Kings (10-8-1).
Youngstown will return to the Chevrolet Centre Tuesday and Wednesday against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
St. Germain outstanding
SteelHounds' goalie David St. Germain, attacked from all sides by the desperate Cotton Kings after they fell behind, turned in an outstanding performance with 33 saves to join Gagnon and Christian as the game's heroes.
Lbbock, which beat the locals and St. Germain Friday, 5-3, took a 1-0 lead Saturday on Josh Anderson's close-range goal with 17:46 gone from the opening 20-minute quarter on assists by Barry Horman and Ryan Moren.
But after that, the SteelHounds rallied behind Gagnon to dominate the offense.
First, Gagnon's in-close goal at 18:14 of the second period on assists from Chris Richards and Jeff Alcombrack pulled Youngstown even at 1-1.
Then Gagnon struck again from near the net at 1:53 of the third period on Matt Nicholson's assist to give Youngstown a 2-1 lead.
At that point, Lubbock turned on the offensive pressure against St. Germain, but he didn't crack despite the assault.
Then Christian clinched it with his team-leading 18th goal of the season from close range at 17:45.
Lubbock enjoyed a 34-22 shot advantage, while goalie Brett Koscielny had 19 saves.
kovach@vindy.com