Preview: SteelHounds visit Colorado tonight

Schedule: The SteelHounds are on the road; they visit the Colorado Eagles tonight (9:05 p.m.) then go to the Amarillo Gorillas Sunday at 7:05 p.m.
Radio/Internet: WBBW-AM (1240); steelhounds.com
SteelHounds scouting report: The SteelHounds might welcome a road trip. They went 3-5 on their homestand but are 16-9-1 away from the Chevrolet Centre this season. Center Chris Richards leads Youngstown with 57 points and 41 assists, while Eric Przepiorka has 21 goals. Peter Pohl and Jeff Irving each have 20 goals. Goaltender Andy Franck is 17-9-3 with a 2.90 goals against average.
Eagles scouting report: Colorado (28-14-5) is one point ahead of Youngstown for the coveted third seed in the Northern Conference playoff picture. The Eagles are 5-5 in their last 10 games but have won two straight; the last coming Tuesday over Tulsa, 6-4. Aaron Schneekloth scored two first-period goals for Colorado, while Les Borsheim had a goal and an assist. Ed McGrane leads the Eagles with 43 assists and 67 points, while Riley Nelson has 27 goals and 64 points. The Eagles will have an inexperienced man in goal; Bryan Bridges and Sebastien Laplante have combined for just 21 appearances this season.
Gorillas scouting report: Amarillo (18-24-6) holds a two-point lead on Corpus Christi for the final Southern Conference playoff spot. The Gorillas are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have scored 47 goals over that span — despite being shutout twice. Bill Vandermeer leads Amarillo with 30 assists and 54 points, while David Nimmo has 28 goals and 53 points and Chris Lipsett 24 goals and 26 assists. Dan McWhinney is 13-18-4 in goal with a 3.55 GAA.
Next: The SteelHounds travel to Texas to face the Brahmas Tuesday at 8:05 p.m.

Vindicator staff report