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Published on November 25, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express snapped a season-long five-game winless streak this past weekend, going 1-1-0 in its two games. The Express find themselves with a record of 8-7-2 (18 pts., 6th place NE Division) heading into this week's action.

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 at TRENTON 6-5 Loss

The Express had its highest combined scoring game of the season on Friday night at Sovereign Bank Arena against the Trenton Titans. The Express battled back from trailing 5-2 late in the third period to force a tie, only to see Trenton get the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining. Each team scored twice in the first period, with Joe Dusbabek opening the scoring seven minutes into the game. Trenton's Adam Edinger scored twice, including a shorthanded goal, before Blair Stayzer scored with :12 left in the period for the Express. Trenton opened up a 4-2 lead with a pair of power play goals in the second period by Edinger and David Schneider.

The Titans made it a 5-2 game with a goal at 11:23 of the third period before the Express began its strong comeback. Roanoke tallied three goals in a three minutes beginning with Dan Carlson scoring at 12:55. Frank Novock closed the gap to 5-4 with a power play goal at 14:21, and Dylan Gyori tied the game at 15:55. However, Trenton's Brad Mehalko scored at 16:57 of the final period to open a 6-5 lead. Despite out shooting the Titans 24-3 in the third period, the Express could not fin the equalizer in the final three minutes. Sebastien Laplante took the loss in goal for the Express allowing six goals on 27 shots. Roanoke is 1-1-0 vs. Trenton this season.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 at RICHMOND 4-1 Win

The Express snapped its season-long five-game winless streak with a convincing 4-1 win at the Richmond Coliseum. In the third meeting in eight days between the Northeast Division rivals, the Express earned its first win against the Renegades this year. Roanoke jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead on goals by Dan Carlson, Frank Novock and Joe Dusbabek in the first 16 minutes of the game. The three goals on 13 shots chased Richmond starting goaltender Dan Lombard. Marc Magliarditi replaced Lombard and finished out the game allowing a power play goal to Rick Kowalsky at 1:54 of the second period to give the Express a 4-1 lead. The Renegades' lone goal came with :19 left in the first period. Evan Lindsay made his first start in goal for Roanoke since Nov. 15 at Richmond, and stopped 20 Renegade shots to raise his record to 3-3-1.

UPCOMING GAMES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 at READING 7:05 p.m.

The Express travel to Reading, PA to take on the Royals for the first time this season. The Royals are the last team within the Northeast Division the Express have yet to play. The game is the first of eight between the two teams. Entering the week, Reading has a record of 11-9-1 (23 pts., 2nd NE Division). The Royals' 21 games played are tied for the most played in the league. Reading has opened the season with a 6-4-1 record at home, and has won their last three games.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 vs. READING 7:05 p.m.

Roanoke and Reading meet for the second of back-to-back matchups. The special Thanksgiving Day game is the first meeting between the teams at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Express returns home after playing five of its last six on the road. Roanoke enters the week with a 5-2-1 record at the Roundhouse, and the Royals begin the week with having compiled a 5-6-0 record on the road this season.

FRIDAY, NOVMEBER 29 vs. COLUMBIA 7:35 p.m.

The Express takes on the Columbia Inferno for the first of two times this season and the only matchup this season at the Roanoke Civic Center. Despite losing their last two, Columbia begins the week in first place by two points in the South East Division with a record of 12-6-0 (24 pts.). The Inferno has begun the season 5-2-0 on the road. Columbia currently ranks third in the ECHL in power play percentage, and is first in the league in penalty killing, with a 94.8 kill rate.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 at LEXINGTON 7:30 p.m.

Roanoke travels to Lexington, KY for the first of two meetings this season between the Northern Conference teams and the only one in Lexington on Saturday night. The Men ‘O War enter the week in 5th place in the Northwest Division with a record of 6-8-4 (16 pts.). Lexington holds a 3-4-2 record at home this season.

NEWS & NOTES

TEAM & LEAGUE LEADERS

The Express currently have two players in the top 10 of the leading scorers. Dylan Gyori and Jason Jaffray both have 25 points on the season, which ties them for seventh in the league in overall scoring. Gyori has picked up five goals and 20 assists, while Jaffray has notched 10 goals and 15 assists. Gyori's 20 helpers, ranks second in the league and he currently holds the league's longest streak for consecutive games with an assist, having picked up an assist in nine straight games from 10/11 – 11/5. Jaffray leads all ECHL rookies in scoring with a two-point advantage over second place.

INJURY UPDATE

The Express have gotten healthy of late, however forward Adam Colagiacomo remains on the 30-day IR with an injury to his right knee. Colagiacomo suffered the injury on Nov. 16 at Pee Dee.

COACH'S SHOW

The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on Monday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. from the Corned Beef & Co. Bar & Grill. Forward Frank Novock will join Express broadcaster Kevin Reiter and team Head Coach Perry Florio this week on the show. Fans are invited to attend the hour-long show at Corned Beef in downtown Roanoke. The program can also be heard live on 910 AM in Roanoke and 990 AM in Blacksburg.

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