Richards’ 200th goal lifts ’Hounds

Youngstown defeated Wichita, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Steelhounds began their final push for the playoffs with an impressive 4-3 win over the Wichita Thunder Friday night at the Chevrolet Centre.

Steelhounds captain Chris Richards scored his 200th career goal and assisted on the game-winning goal to Kurtis Dulle as Youngstown won the opening game of the three-game series with the Thunder.

Richards also added a second assist for four points on the night to lead the Steelhounds.

“Every game is important right now,” said Richards. “We’re in a battle for the playoffs so it’s nice to put the puck in the back of the net if it helps you get a win.

“The goal only means that I’m kinda old and been around for awhile.”

The ’Hounds (64 points) moved ahead of Mississippi for sole possession of second place in the Northeast Division of the Central Hockey league and into fourth place in the playoff chase.

“We did what we had to do,” said Youngstown coach Kevin Kaminski. “The big crowd got us going and we responded by playing pretty solid hockey.

"I think the fans got their money’s worth tonight. You had the fights, you had some big goals and some big saves.”

Kaminski said Richards proved why he is an all-star in the league.

“He showed you what he is made of,” Kaminski said of Richards. “He needs to lead us and he did just that. He played a strong game and did so many little things out there on the ice.”

Youngstown jumped out on the Thunder 2-0 in the first period after the teams broke out with three fights in the first 90 seconds.

Wichita and Youngstown are two of the top penalized teams in the CHL.

The Steelhounds scored on goals by Mark Odut and Richards but only led 2-1 when Wichita’s Travis Clayton scored late in the first period.

The Thunder tied the game in the second period on a power play goal by Bruce Richardson before Dulle scored the game-winner on a great pass from Richards with 4:38 left in the period.

Nate Schwartzbauer tallied only his second goal in 53 games early in the fourth period on another tremendous assist by Richards.

Youngstown goalie Andy Franck then fought off 13 third period shots by the Thunder to seal the victory.

“Franck was a big-play guy for us tonight in goal,” Kaminski said. “He made some great saves when they were packing it in late in the game.”

The SteelHounds hope to make up even more ground in the playoff push with wins the rest of the weekend.

Youngstown and Wichita are back on the ice tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.