Richards nets 2 in first win

Youngstown outscored Tulsa, 3-2, to post the first franchise victory.
By GLENN HIBDON
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
TULSA, Okla. -- Pretty good defense along with solid goaltending. Not enough scoring. The Tulsa Oilers needed more offensive punch in their Central Hockey League opener Friday night in Convention Center Arena.
Center Chris Richards of expansion franchise Youngstown collected the game-winning goal and added two assists as the SteelHounds debuted with a 3-2 victory in front of 4,988 mostly disappointed fans.
Tulsa outshot the Hounds 49-24, but came up empty on 11 power play chances en route to the narrow loss.
"Our guys didn't show up and you just can't lose that game at home," Oilers coach Butch Kaebel said. "A lot of our guys have more to give and didn't give it tonight. We've just got to get better.
"We played great defensively and Marco [goalie Marco Emond] was fantastic, but we had four forwards who played and the rest took the night off. They didn't want to play and it was evident. We got two goals on 49 shots and that's not going to get it."
Game-winning goal
Richards secured Youngstown's victory by deflecting in a shot from defenseman R.C. Lyke. Lyke fired from the top of the left-wing circle 3:46 in to the final period and Richards was in position for the SteelHounds' biggest goal of their short history.
"It's nice to win our first game, particularly our first game in franchise history," Youngstown coach J.F. Laforest said. "It's important to get off on the right foot. I thought were kind of scrambly at times and weren't disciplined on our systems.
"Tulsa just put a lot of pressure on us and it was a well played hockey game on their part. I thought our goaltender [David St. Germain] played extremely well.
"We gave up too many shots and Tulsa kept the pressure on us, but it was good beginning and a good opportunity for everyone to show what they've got. Now we'll move from there."
Paul Vincent flicked in a power-play goal to give the SteelHounds a 2-1 lead at 16:44 of the second period, then Henry Kuster tied the game 32 seconds later.
Vincent skated along the left wing and sliced in front of Emond before slipping a shot past Emond's glove side. Richards was credited with his second assist while defenseman Matt Nicholson also got one.
The Youngstown lead didn't last long as Oilers newcomer Drew Otten assisted Kuster's equalizer.
Tulsa outshot the SteelHounds 16-10 in the first period, but settled for a 1-1 tie.
Klage Kaebel got the Oilers on the board 5:11 into the game when he poked in a rebound out front. Newcomer Korey Diehl and captain Dan Hodge earned the assists.
Youngstown pulled even at 13:49 on one of Tulsa's rare defensive breakdowns. Shawn Mamane and Richards sailed down the ice 2-on-1 with Oilers defenseman Ryan Moren. Richards got the puck to Mamane who tucked it home just inches outside the right post.
The SteelHounds visit Bossier-Shreveport (La.) tonight.
XGlenn Hibdon is a sports writer for The Tulsa World.