SteelHounds play like Buckeyes in 6-3 victory

Youngstown climbed into a
first-place tie with the Mississippi RiverKings.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN – On “Ohio State Night,” the Youngstown SteelHounds, like their Buckeye football counterparts, utilized a swarming defense and explosive offense as they rolled to a 6-3 win over the Mississippi RiverKings in a Central Hockey League game at the Chevrolet Centre Friday night.

Joel Irving and Eric Przepiorka each scored twice while Jeff Alcombrack added four assists as the SteelHounds (18-8-1, 37 points) moved into a tie with the RiverKings (18-7-1, 37 points) in the league’s Northeast Division.

“We’ve been struggling of late with our scoring so it was good to get started so fast tonight. [Joel] Irving’s goal was a huge goal for us because it set the tone of the game. He had jump in his step and got us off on the right foot,” SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski said.

“He used his body all game, scored on his chances and helped set up some other scores as well,” he added.

It took Irving just 15 seconds to register the first goal of the game. His goal was the fastest by a SteelHounds player this season and the first of four for Youngstown in the opening period.

“We’ve been on the road quite a bit and need to get settled in while re-learning how to win at home. Playing collegiately at Western Michigan University and having played against Ohio State for four years, it was a little tough putting that shirt on tonight.

“[Chris] Richards made sure that I put it on the right way, however, by game time,” Irving noted.

Richards, who assisted on both of Irving’s goals, was rather pleased with the outcome.

“First and foremost it was a win in our division and meant that we moved back into first place. We haven’t played well at home so this was definitely a big win for us. If we set the pace and remain physical, then we should be alright the rest of the way,” Richards stated.

A four-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes from 1995-99, Richards could only smile when he donned his alma mater’s scarlet and gray colors. “It was very special to put on that shirt, and since I never had an opportunity to wear one that was gray in color it was even more special,” he added.

Darrell Stoddard’s goal at 4:33 of the opening period then knotted the game at 1-all, but successive goals by Przepiorka; the former a shorthanded netter at 6:02 and the latter off the power play at 16:45, helped the SteelHounds forge a 3-1 advantage.

When Kirill Starkov registered his first goal of the season at 18:03, also on the power play, Youngstown had built a 4-1 margin after the first 20 minutes of play.

“It was important to get the first win of the series. If we continue to play aggressive like we did in the first period and take care of our defensive zone, then the rest takes care of itself,” Przepiorka said.

Irving’s shorthanded goal at 9:41 then gave the SteelHounds a 5-1 lead heading to the final period of play.

Rick Kozak’s team-leading 15th goal for Mississippi at 3:11, a power play score, cut the Youngstown lead to 5-2 but a goal by Petr Pohl just 1:01 later helped the SteelHounds regain their four-goal margin.

The RiverKings’ Louis Dumont then rounded out the scoring at 14:51 when his wrist shot sailed past Youngstown goalie Brad Roberts.

The SteelHounds held a 29-27 shots on goal advantage and were 2 for 7 on power play opportunities.

Roberts rejected 24 Mississippi shots on the night as he evened his record at 4-4 when in goal. The win broke also broke a two-game losing streak for Youngstown.

Sebastien Centomo, who only played in goal the first period, was tagged with the loss as Mississippi saw their six-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.

The RiverKings were playing without head coach Kevin McClelland who was attending his mother’s funeral in Ontario.

The final game of the series is at 7:05 p.m. tonight.