The Youngstown SteelHounds, on the strength of a franchise record eight straight victories, have quickly become a significant factor in the Northern Conference. Wednesday evenings 5-4 home win over Oklahoma City moves the SteelHounds just two points behind the RiverKings and five behind the Mudbugs in the Northeast Division. With key division matchups this Friday in Bossier-Shreveport and Saturday in Memphis, Youngstown has an opportunity to continue to impress, and can solidify a playoff appearance with a single point earned or a regulation, shootout or overtime loss by the Tulsa Oilers.
In Wednesday's win Youngstown center Chris Richards, the Sher-Wood CHL Player of the Month for February, eclipsed the 100 point plateau with a goal and two assists. Sitting at 102 total points, Richards trails only linemate Jeff Christian, who scored twice in the win to move to 104. Goaltender Brad Roberts has been in goal for all eight consecutive wins, improving to 14-2-1 in his last 17 games.
Elsewhere Wednesday, the Colorado Eagles became the last CHL club to suffer an overtime or shootout loss this season, falling 3-2 in a shootout in Wichita. Joe Blaznek scored twice (now with 26 on the season) including the shootout game winner, for the Thunder, with Scott Rozendal adding his 18th of the campaign. Riley Nelson had his 37th of the year for the Eagles, with Les Borsheim chipping in with his fifth. Colorado now shares the CHL points lead with the Laredo Bucks, both tied with 81 points although the Eagles hold a game in hand. The conference leaders meet this Friday in Laredo for their second and final meeting of the regular season.
Oklahoma City 4 @ Youngstown 5
OKC: Robertson, MacLean, Burgoyne, Prosofsky
YNG: Christian (2), Richards, Hanson, Margeson
Richards reaches 100 points with first period assist
Colorado 2 @ Wichita 3 (SO)
COL: Nelson, Borsheim
WIC: Blaznek (2), Rozendal
First overtime or shootout loss for Eagles all season
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