YSU

YSU

Marching band
offers concert

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State Marching Pride will hold a concert 90 minutes prior to kickoff of all YSU home football games beginning today before the game against Stony Brook, director Dr. Chris Heidenreich announced.

The first “Ice Breaker” performance will be held at the Beeghly Center at 2:30 p.m. before the 4 p.m. contest against the Seawolves.

Heidenreich said he is starting the tradition after witnessing the Ohio State’s Marching Band’s “Skull Session” prior to the Penguins’ contest against the Buckeyes.

LOCAL

SteelHounds set
exhibition games

YOUNGSTOWN —The Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League announced an inter-league exhibition game against the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL on Oct. 10 at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The inaugural meeting between the two squads is slated for a 7:05 p.m. face-off.

The contest marks the first of two preseason games for Youngstown as they are scheduled to host the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones at the Chevrolet Centre on Oct. 12 at 7:05 p.m.

SteelHounds coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski is thrilled with two exhibition games saying, “This is great because it provides the opportunity to evaluate the players at game speed.

The SteelHounds are beginning their third season of play finishing 34-20-10 last season as they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Johnstown Chiefs will begin their 20th season this year and are led by first-year coach Ian Herbers.

They are affiliated with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.

Last season the Chiefs qualified for the ECHL playoffs finishing the regular season with a 33-33-6 record.

The game will be broadcasted live on WBBW-ESPN Radio 1240 as well as over the internet on SteelHounds.com.

Kaminski also announced that the team has signed goaltender Ben Gray for the 2007-08 season.

Per team policy the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 Gray, 25, joins the Hounds after spending his rookie season in the ECHL with stints in Pensacola, Cincinnati and Utah.

Phantoms register
exhibition win, 6-2

WAYNE, NEW JERSEY — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms kept last year’s momentum rolling Friday night when they opened their exhibition season with a 6-2 win over the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s New York Applecore.

In the First Annual Jersey Hitmen Showcase, the Phantoms got off to a slow start, but were able to score five times in the second to break open a 1-1 tie.

Phantoms forward Johnny Meo led the way, in picking up two goals and an assist, while rookie forward Scott Moser had three points of his own, assisting on both of Meo’s goals and netting one as well. The Phantoms next game is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. today against the New Jersey Hitmen. The game can be heard live on www.mvpphantoms.com.

Teams dedicate games

GIRARD — The Girard Little Indians will dedicate their 95-, 115- and 135-pound team games when they play Sunday in Howland.

The community’s three youth weigh-class teams will dedicate their games to the memory of Kevin Jamison of Girard, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. Game balls will be given to 95-pound Squiglets team member Jason Kay, who is Jamison’s son.

Also, Five-Star Graphics of Girard will donate “K.J.” lettering to be worn on players’ helmets.

Military night set

NILES — There will be a “Military Appreciation Night” at Bo Rein Stadium when Poland plays football at Niles High School on Sept. 28.

All veterans of the U.S. Military and all men and women serving at home and overseas will be honored.

AREA

Soccer starting times

ALLIANCE — Mount Union College has adjusted the starting times of today’s two home soccer matches.

Allegheny will play the Mount Union men at 11:45 a.m.

The Purple Raider women will face Denison at 2 p.m.

Vindicator staff⁄wire reports