'Hounds now 2-0 and in first place
Chris Richards had a pair of goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Youngstown SteelHounds can say something after two games in the 2006-07 season that couldn't say in their inaugural season, and that is that they are in first place.
The 'Hounds improved their record to 2-0 with a 4-2 victory in Memphis Saturday night.
Once again, Chris Richards fueled the victory, scoring a pair of goals with an assist, giving him a league-leading seven points in two games, including four goals.
Jeff Christian finished with a goal and an assist, giving the team captain four points in two games.
For the second straight night, the 'Hounds jumped out to the lead, taking the edge when Christian scored his second goal of the season on a feed from Richards at the 4:17 mark of the opening period.
Memphis answered with a power play goal from Travis Banga at the 15:58 mark, but Youngstown took command before the end of the period, using a short-handed goal by Richards and an even strength goal from Shaun Landolt to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
The goal from Landolt was his first as a SteelHound.
'Hounds take control
In the second period, the 'Hounds did not wait for Memphis to come at them but instead took control of the game, rattling off 14 shots to the RiverKings' three.
Memphis' Mark Cole scored early on the period, making the score 3-2, but Richards kept up on the trend started in the first period, scoring in the final minute of play, to notch his fourth goal of the season and seventh point giving Youngstown a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.
In the third period, Jeremy Symington took control, holding Memphis at bay to earn his second victory. Symington stopped all nine shots in the period and finished the game with 24 saves.
Memphis rookie Ben Conway took the loss, stopping just six of the nine shots he faced, forcing 'Kings coach Kevin McLelland to pull the goaltender early in the second period.
Special teams played a big part in the victory for Youngstown, which went 2-for-7 on the power play. The 'Hounds are 5-for-16 with the man advantage in two games.
Youngstown finished with a 30-26 advantage in shots.
The 'Hounds home opener is Friday night against the Rocky Mountain Rage. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.