STEELHOUNDS Christian is named CHL player of week

Youngstown continues its homestand on Friday against the Wichita Thunder. Face-off is at 7:05 p.m.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown SteelHounds captain Jeff Christian has been named the Oakley Central Hockey League Player of the Week for Feb. 5-11.
This marks the sixth time in the veteran's career that he has earned the award and the third time this season. Christian also was honored for the weeks of Jan. 28 and Nov. 27.
Christian, the CHL's leading scorer, scored nine points in three games last week (two goals and seven assists). He has a seven-game scoring streak (5-18-23, plus 9). He also has had point streaks of 19 and nine games this season.
Accomplishment
Last week, during the SteelHounds 'three-game series against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Christian totaled two assists in the team's 5-3 loss on Thursday, two goals and an assist in the 5-3 victory on Friday and four assists in the 5-4 loss on Saturday.
The Burlington, Ont., native has 87 points, eight ahead of teammate Chris Richards (28-51-79).
Christian's 27 goals are fourth in the CHL and his 60 assists are first. He also ranks among the league leaders in plus/minus (+35, first), shorthanded goals (6, second) and three star points (55). The player/assistant coach has been a star in 19 of the team's 42 games this season.
The former 23rd overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft has recorded at least a point in all but three of his 42 games played this season and has been an even or plus in all but four games.
The SteelHounds will continue their six-game homestand on Friday versus the Wichita Thunder in the first of three games. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre.
Playoff implications
This will be another playoff type series as Wichita (19-19-6, 44 points) has the sixth and final playoff spot for the Northern Conference. The SteelHounds are fifth.
Weighing in with a five-game scoring streak is defenseman Kelly Sickavish, who has two goals and three assists in his last five games. Before this streak, the 28-year-old from North Vancouver only had one point . Sickavish has a plus 18 for the year, sixth best amongst defensemen to go with his three goals and three assists for six points.
Richards is just one assist away from setting another career milestone as his next helper will be his 400th of his career. The four-year Ohio State Buckeye has 360 CHL assists in eight seasons, good for ninth all time.