Keeping the faith: Christian keys rally

The SteelHounds rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to win the home opener.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- In the first SteelHounds' home game in franchise history, assistant coach/right winger Jeff Christian:
* threw the first punch;
* netted the first goal;
* scored the second goal;
* tipped in a shot from the point on a power play that tied the game 3-3 late in the third period;
* zipped out of the penalty box with 1:11 to play and scored the winning goal against Oklahoma City goalie Sean Conners, and,
* drove the Zamboni between periods.
OK, Christian didn't really drive the ice resurfacing machine.
But much to the delight of 5,212 at the Youngstown Convocation Center's first hockey game, he did everything he could on ice to generate the SteelHounds' 4-3 victory.
Trailing 3-1 going into the third period, the SteelHounds (3-2-1) rallied, stunning the Blazers with Christian's breakaway goal with 1:11 remaining in regulation.
"We definitely didn't play up to our capabilities in the first two," SteelHounds coach Jean Laforest said. "In the first period, I think we were nervous, obviously wanting to do well before our home fans.
"Our timing was off a little bit and that carried over into the second," Laforest said. "So we said to relax and try to get the puck in deep. Obviously, Jeff had a great effort tonight."
Good night
A pro since 1990, Christian enjoyed some firsts of his own.
"I've never had a four-goal game as a pro and I've never had a segment where I've had 12 points in three games," said Christian, crediting a line change that put Darryl Lloyd with him and Chris Richards. "We've just clicked."
After serving a two-minute high sticking penalty, Christian raced on to the ice and caught the Blazers off guard.
"[Scott] Barnes obviously had his head up," Christian said of the pass out of the SteelHounds' end. "I called for it and he made a great play. When I go in on the goalie, usually I try to go backhand five hole. When I reached around him, I found an inch and just reached it."
The SteelHounds rallied after a frustrating second period where they had several close calls.
When the Blazers led 2-1, Laforest recalled a pass that went right through the crease right past Lloyd.
"He just missed it. They scored a power play goal right after that to lead 3-1," Laforest said. "What I liked was that we didn't get down. We kept fighting and that's a sign of a good hockey club, to rebound for a two-goal deficit.
"What's nice is that we've had lots of two-goal leads this year and let them get away, so it's nice to come back from a deficit with a win."
With 8:33 to go, backup goalie Simon St. Pierre replaced starter David St. Germain who was shaken on a goalmouth collision.
St. Pierre made three saves down the stretch to earn his second win as a pro.
Early lead
The Blazers scored the only goal of the first period when the SteelHounds lost control of the puck in their defensive end. Blazers left winger Ryan Johnston pounced on the puck and flicked a shot from 30 feet out.
After Michel Beausoliel connected on a power play goal early in the second period, Christian cut the advantage to 2-1 with assists from Richards and Jeff Acrombrack.
Late in the second period, Garrett Prosofsky's power play goal restored the Blazers' two-goal margin.
Christian's other goal came 74 seconds into the third period.
SteelHounds defender Kris Mallette, who played for the Central Hockey League champion Colorado Eagles last year, was impressed with the turnout for the first game.
"Hopefully we put on a good [enough] show tonight that they will be back for more," Mallette said.
williams@vindy.com