SteelHounds made strides in 3rd year

By Tom Williams

The hockey team set franchise records for victories, road wins and points against tough competition.

YOUNGSTOWN — Although the Youngstown SteelHounds played one fewer playoff game than last season, it took phenomenal regular-season success for them just to qualify for the postseason opportunity.

Despite more injuries and call-ups, the SteelHounds (39-20-5, 83 points) enjoyed their finest season in the Central Hockey League, setting franchise records for victories (39), road victories (19) and points (83).

And they achieved those records against the CHL’s strongest competition.

All four teams in the SteelHounds’ Northeast Division qualified for the Northern Conference playoffs. The only other team to qualify was the Colorado Eagles (37-20-7, 81), winners of the Northwest Division.

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (44-14-6, 94) won the Northeast Division.

In the final three-game series of the regular season, the SteelHounds swept the Eagles to finish two points ahead of Colorado and with the fourth-best record in the league.

SteelHounds captain Chris Richards said the Texas Brahmas, who ousted the Mudbugs in the other Northern Conference semifinal, were this year’s surprise team.

“In our division, we knew that Mississippi was going to have a good team,” said Richards who finished his third season in Youngstown. “Texas was probably the only one we were unsure of [but] Dan Wildfong put together a strong team. To have us all above .500, I don’t think anyone saw that coming.”

Forward Mark Odut agreed.

“We knew we’re were in a good division at the beginning of the year. Shreveport is always good,” said Odut who plays on the SteelHounds’ checking line. “It was a good division last year. The Northern Conference seems to be a lot tougher this year.”

And the Northeast teams were the best, dominating their non-division rivals.

The sweep of the Eagles moved the SteelHounds ahead of the Brahmas for second in the division and third seed in the conference. The Mississippi RiverKings finished fourth but had more points than the Northwest’s second-place team, the Rocky Mountain Rage.

Because division winners are seeded ahead of wild-card teams no matter the points, the Eagles began the best-of-seven series with home ice advantage.

Colorado won the first three games before dropping Game 4, 5-2. Last Friday’s dramatic Game 5 ended with the Eagles winning 1-0, with Sebastien Laplante earning a shutout in his eighth straight game against the SteelHounds.

“Their goalie played well the whole series and that was probably the difference,” Richards said. “It was just unfortunate that we had to match up against the defending champs — they played a good series.”

Last season’s SteelHounds relied heavily on the power play led by then-captain Jeff Christian and Richards. Both were nominated for CHL Most Valuable Player, with Christian winning the award.

After Christian was traded to Tulsa last June for forward Bryan Lachapelle and defenseman Kurtis Dulle, Coach Kevin Kaminski rebuilt his team with a stronger defense in mind.

The key acquisition was goaltender Andy Franck who had played two seasons with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

Franck, the team’s top player this season, opened the season by going 10-1-1 in the 14-game roadtrip that opened the season. That start earned him a call up to Providence of the American Hockey League where he posted a 7-1 record before returning in late January.

Franck finished 26-10-4 with a goals-against average of 2.85. He was one of the six nominated for the CHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award.

Richards led the SteelHounds in scoring (24 goals, 56 assists, 80 points).

Newcomers Eric Przepiorka and Joel Irving were next with 67 and 63 points, respectively.

On defense, Dulle finished a +27 in plus/minus ratings. Irving and Richards were next with 19 and 16 marks.

Unlike the 2006-07 season, major injuries impacted the SteelHounds in their third season. The biggest loss was defenseman Jeff Alcombrack, who suffered a concussion on Jan. 25 and remained on injured reserve through the playoffs.

“We built a good foundation last year,” Kaminski said. “We’ve got some key guys. Obviously, it’s gonna be another long summer here recruiting.”

Pleased with a “great regular season,” Kaminski is disappointed.

“What you play for is the playoffs,” Kaminski said. “You only get so many chances. I played 11 years and this is my eighth year coaching, and I’ve only won one. It’s a special feeling.

“We look forward to coming back to the Chevy Centre,” said Kaminski of next fall. “We’ve got to pack this place, that’s our goal.”

williams@vindy.com