Franck ready in goal for ’Hounds

He’s on a four-game winning streak and ready to play every night.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Andy Franck, the Central Hockey League’s goaltender of the week, would love to play every game.

And now that his record is 10 games above .500, the temptation is great for SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski to send the 26-year-old netminder out every night.

But with four games to be played over the next five days, Kaminski and Franck are aware that backups Kevin Beech and Brad Roberts need to see ice time.

“We’ll play it by ear,” said Kaminski of Franck’s starts this week as the SteelHounds prepare to play the Texas Brahmas tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre. “Andy is our go-to guy and it shows.

“The kid just doesn’t seem to get tired, he wants to play every minute [but] I’d rather have him fresh down the stretch,” Kaminski said after the SteelHounds’ 4-1 victory over the Brahmas Tuesday afternoon.

Franck (17-7-1, 2.73 goals against), who made 35 saves, said, “Every goalie wants to play every game. But we have seven games in 10 nights. Chances are there are going to be games where I’m not going to play.

“We’ll see how it goes,” said Franck, who has a four-game winning streak. “If there are a couple of games where I only see 20 or 22 shots, then I would expect to be back in there.

“On the other hand, it’s good to get our other goalies in there, especially at a time like this.”

Beech has not played since he was acquired in trade by the SteelHounds two weeks ago. Roberts, the SteelHounds’ top goalie last year, is 6-5-1 with a 3.28 goals against average but is on the injured list with a groin pull.

Franck said his statistics have improved since his defensemen have stopped pinching into the offensive zone.

“By doing that, we’re giving up a lot less shots from right in close, which makes my job 10 times easier,” Franck said. “If the shot comes from the perimeter and I give up a goal, then it’s on me.”

Tuesday’s win put the SteelHounds in third place in the Northern Conference standings.

“You want to be in the top three — the fourth and fifth teams play that mini-series to join the other three,” Kaminski said of the Central Hockey League’s revised playoff format.

williams@vindy.com