LOCAL

LOCAL
SteelHounds
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown SteelHounds, in conjunction with the Central Hockey League, announced today the final results of the league's annual "Best of the Best" poll. The poll was tabulated by a points system from results of ballots turned in by each team's coach, players and broadcast/media contact.
The SteelHounds were third earning representation in 12 of 40 possible categories. Colorado led the way with 15 and Amarillo was second with 14.
Jeff Christian earned one of the top three ranks in four categories including best overall player (third), smartest player (second), best on power play (second) and best power forward (second).
Chris Richards was the only SteelHound to earn a first place ranking as he was voted best player on face-offs and also finished second best playmaker.
Elements of the SteelHounds game night presentation earned recognition as Crusher was voted the third best mascot, Hunter Quinn was voted the third Best P.A. announcer and the Lady SteelHounds were voted the third best cheerleaders.
Bob Hoffman was voted the second best broadcaster and the team's uniforms and logo finished third in each category.
Phantoms youthhockey teams win
BOARDMAN -- Two more Mahoning Valley Phantoms youth hockey teams won Cleveland Suburban Hockey League playoff championships.
The Phantoms defeated the Mentor Cardinals 6-2 in the Squirt A3 division championship. They finished 9-6-1.
The Phantoms scored four goals in the third period to break a 2-2 tie. Matthew Lacko led the Phantoms with four goals. Nick Giecek added a goal and three assists and Jake Carner scored and assisted once. Jake Kelleck contributed two assists while Logan Clarke had one. Goaltender Kenny Shoup stopped 15 shots to get the win.
Other members of the team that contributed were Bryce Allen, Mark Passarello, Nick Cammarata, Bonnie Jensen, Ryan Debiec and Ben Giltner. The team was coached by Don Allen, Jeff Carner and Dacia Allen.
The Phantoms Bantam AA team (14-3-1) defeated North Olmstead 4-1. The Phantoms overcame an early 1-0 deficit in the first period to tie it up in the second. They assumed control and the championship in the third period by scoring three goals. Ryan Taylor and Ryan Rinko each scored twice for the Phantoms. Taylor added two assists while Rinko, John Vanasdale, Jimmy Lacko and Adam Hogan each recorded single helpers. Jesse Koewacich rejected 29 shots in goal, including a penalty shot attempt by North Olmstead.
Other team members were C.J. Westlake, Scottie McKee, Hunter Thompson, Ben Jensen, T.J. Lindquist, Adam Robertson, Devrim Olgun and Jacob Sines. The team is coached by Grant Springer, Mike Shaw and Jeff Westlake. The Bantam team's season continues this weekend at the state playoffs at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills.
Dana Chambers, YSU aide, hired at Akron
AKRON -- The University of Akron has named Dana Chambers as defensive line coach.
Chambers spent the last two years coaching at Youngstown State, serving as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Before joining YSU, Chambers was at Upper Iowa University, a Division II school located in Fayette, Iowa, during the 2003 campaign. Prior to UIU, he spent four years (1999-2002) at Southwest Missouri State University as the defensive line coach.
Harris wins by KO
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Josh Harris, a 22-year-old cruiserweight trained by Frank West at the Buckeye Elks since he was 14, is beginning to see the end of the rainbow as an amateur. Tuesday night, in his opening bout at the Olympic Training Center, Harris stopped his third consecutive opponent on the trail that can lead to a national title and Olympic berth.
In the regional a week ago in Battle Creek, Mich., Harris stopped a pair of boxers with a combined 92 amateur victories.
Tuesday night Harris, a southpaw, won with a third-round knockout over Cody Bryant, fifth-ranked in the world with over 60 amateur wins.
Bryant came out fast but it wasn't long before Harris (20-8, 10 KOs) was catching his opponent with left hooks and straight rights. It was a combination that sent Bryant to the floor in round one, and in round two a barrage of Harris punches sent Bryant to the canvas twice. Harris sent Bryant down for the 10 count within the first minute of the third round.
"I just went after him and was sharp enough to connect with good shots," said Harris.
West who has Joe Bird from Detroit working Harris' corner, added: "Josh knows now that he is a power puncher and it gives him a lot more confidence."
NATION
Hall of Fame Racing appeal denied
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Penalties levied by NASCAR against the new Hall of Fame Racing team for using an unapproved carburetor modification during qualifying for the Daytona 500 have been unanimously upheld.
Vindicator staff/wire reports