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Express Weekly

December 16, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express compiled a perfect 3-0-0 record this past week with two home wins and one on the road. The Express carried its winning streak to a season-high four games with the three wins this past week. Overall the Express enters this week with a 15-10-2 record (32 pts., 4th, NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 vs. JOHNSTOWN 4-3 Shootout win

The Express began the week with a shootout victory against the Johnstown Chiefs in the teams' only meeting of the season. Roanoke overcame a one-goal deficit three times during the game.

The Chiefs tallied first in the game at 7:35 of the first period, but the Express answered back on an even strength goal by Rick Kowalsky midway through the opening period. Johnstown again took the lead at

2-1 with a goal at 14:33 of the second period, however the Express again fired back on Shawn Limpright's goal just over 30 seconds later at 15:09 of the middle stanza. After the Chiefs made it a 3-2 game seven minutes into the third period, it was Joe Dusbabek who forced overtime with a goal from just inside the blue line at 17:23.

Neither team scored in the five minute four-on-four overtime session, bringing the game to a shootout. In the five-round shootout, Johnstown scored on their first attempt, but could not get another shot past Express goaltender Evan Lindsay. For the Express, Dylan Gyori scored on Roanoke's second attempt and then former Johnstown Chief Dan Carlson netted the game-winner in Roanoke's fifth attempt, slipping on over the glove of Chiefs goaltender Peter Aubry.

Lindsay earned the win for the Express stopping 19 shots in regulation and overtime, and four of five shots in the shootout. Lindsay's record climbed to 7-5-1. Aubry suffered the loss despite making 30 saves in regulation and overtime, and saw his record fall to 7-6-1.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 vs. CINCINNATI 8-3 Win

The Express put together its largest offensive output of the season on Friday night against the hot Cincinnati Cyclones with an 8-3 drubbing. Coming into the game, Cincinnati had won their previous five games and had scored a combined 28 goals in their previous four.

It was the Express who got the quick jump scoring three times in the first six minutes and five times overall in the opening period. Jason Jaffray and Shawn Limpright scored at 2:13 and 3:36 respectively, chasing starting goaltender Marc Kielkucki from the game. Greg Hewitt replaced him and allowed a goal to Dan Carlson at 5:49 and goals to Rick Kowalsky and Jaffray at 12:38 and 19:19. The five goals in the first period by the Express was a season high for goals for one period.

In the second period, Kielkucki returned to the net for Cincinnati, but the Express continued its offensive onslaught. The Cyclones recovered from a shaky first period and scored the first two goals of the second period to close the gap to 5-2, but Dylan Gyori pumped home Roanoke's sixth goal at 14:20 of the frame. Cincinnati added a third goal with :14 left in the second period, but that was all that would get past Evan Lindsay. Kowalsky and Joe Dusbabek added the finishing touches with goals at 3:34 and 17:41 of the third period to open up the 8-3 lead.

The eight goals scored was also a season high for the Express as the team extended its winning streak to three. Lindsay made 25 saves to pick up his third straight win and raise his record to 8-5-1. Kielkucki suffered the loss, allowing five goals on 27 shots in 43 minutes played. Hewitt surrendered the three goals on 11 shots in 17 minutes played.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 at PEE DEE 4-1 Win

The Express wrapped up its perfect week with a 4-1 win at the Florence Civic Center over the Pee Dee Pride. Roanoke tied the season series at one, avenging a 5-1 win earlier in the season by the Pride.

After a quiet first 17 minutes of the game, the Express opened the scoring on a goal by Joe Dusbabek at 17:07. Shawn Limpright made it a 2-0 game for the Express with a power play goal at 19:36 of the period. The goal came just five seconds into the power play opportunity. Holding onto the two-goal lead, Roanoke extended their lead to 3-0 at 15:12 of the second period by Dylan Gyori. Pee Dee notched its only goal 20 seconds into the third period on the power play to cut the Roanoke lead to 3-1, but Mike Peron took away any hope for the Pride with a power play goal at the 13:20 mark of the third period. The goal extended Peron's points scoring streak to four straight, and Jason Jaffray, who assisted on the goal, increased his streak to a point in 14 of the last 15 games.

Sebastien Laplante got the call in goal for the Express and came up with several big saves en-route to earning the win. Laplante made 23 saves and raised his record to 7-5-1. Matt Underhill got the nod for Pee Dee, but saw his record fall to 6-5-2 allowing the four goals on 40 shots.

UPCOMING GAMES & PROMOTIONS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 at ATLANTIC CITY, 7:05 p.m.

The Express and the Boardwalk Bullies hook up for the sixth time this season and the fourth at Boardwalk Hall. The Express hold a 3-1-1 record vs. the Bullies this season, and a 1-1-1 mark against them in Atlantic City. After Wednesday's game, the Express will make just one move visit to Boardwalk Hall on February 14. Dylan Gyori has led the way vs. Atlantic City, compiling seven points in the five games. Nine of Roanoke's 15 goals vs. AC have come on the power play. The Boardwalk Bullies enter the week in first place in the Northeast Division with a record of 16-6-6 (38 pts).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 at TRENTON, 7:00 p.m.

Roanoke makes their third trip into Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ on Friday night for the first of back-to-back games between the Northeast Division rivals. The Express is 1-1-0 vs. the Titans this season, with both prior meetings coming in Trenton. The Express won the first match-up in a shootout 3-2 on Oct. 12 and the Titans put together a 6-5 win on Nov. 22 in the teams' last meeting. Trenton begins the week with a 12-11-2 record (26 pts., 6th NE Division).

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 vs. TRENTON 4:05 p.m.

The Trenton Titans make their first visit to the Roanoke Civic Center this season on Sunday afternoon. The game is the first of three between the Express and the Titans at the Roundhouse. Sunday's game will feature the Express players wearing special Christmas themed jersey's, which will be auctioned off following the game. In addition, fans will have a chance to skate with the Express players following the game. All Adult fans receive a $1.00 discount when they present a Kroger Plus Card at the box office.

NEWS & NOTES

TEAM & LEAGUE LEADERS

Express rookie Jason Jaffray begins the week second in scoring in the ECHL with 43 points. Jaffray has picked up 19 goals and 24 assists on the season, and leads all rookies with his point and goal total. The rookie from Olds, Alberta trails Reading's Brian McCullough by one point for the overall league lead. Rick Kowalsky is currently tied for 6th in the league with 38 points (16 G, 22 A), and Dylan Gyori is tied for 13th in the league with 35 points (9 G, 26 A). Gyori is tied for third in the League with his assist total, and still holds the league's longest streak for consecutive games with an assist this year, having picked up an assist in nine straight games from 10/11 – 11/5.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Mike Peron has picked up points in four straight games (1 G, 6 A), Shawn Limpright has now earned points in five of the last six games (4 G, 4 A), Jason Jaffray has notched a point in four straight (4 G, 5 A) and 14 of the last 15 games, Rick Kowalsky has now picked up a point in four straight games and five of his last six (5 G, 4 A), and Joe Dusbabek has earned at least one point in four in a row and five of the last six games (3 G, 4 A).

INJURY UPDATE

The Express have two players currently on the IR. Forward Blair Stayzer remains on the 7-day IR with a sore knee, and is expected back following the Christmas holiday. Brad Essex is also on the 7-day IR and his return is expected possibly next week.

ALL-STAR INFO

Coaches and teams for the East Coast Hockey League All-Star Game will be announced this upcoming week. On Tuesday, the coaches, equipment managers, and athletic trainers will be announced for the Northern and Southern Conferences. Wednesday, December 18, the league will announce the starters and roster for the Northern Conference and on Thursday, December 19, the starters and roster for the Southern Conference will be announced. The 2003 All-Star Game will take place on January 21 in Estero, Florida.

COACH'S SHOW

The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. from the Cornerstone Bar & Grill. Express rookie forward Jason Jaffray will join Express broadcaster Kevin Reiter and Head Coach Perry Florio this week on the show. Fans are invited to attend the hour-long show at Cornerstone in downtown Roanoke. The program can also be heard live on 910 AM in Roanoke and 990 AM in Blacksburg.

UPCOMING PRACTICE & GAME SCHEUDLE

Monday, December 16 10:00 a.m. practice @ the Ice Station

Tuesday, December 17 Practice in Atlantic City @ Boardwalk Hall

Wednesday, December 18 7:05 p.m. GAME in Atlantic City @ Boardwalk Hall

Thursday, December 19 OFF

Friday, December 20 7:00 p.m. GAME in Trenton @ The Sovereign Bank Arena

Saturday, December 21 Practice (Time and location TBA)

Sunday, December 22 4:05 p.m. GAME vs. Trenton @ The Roanoke Civic Center

(all practice times & locations are subject to change)

ALL EXPRESS GAMES ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON THE 3WR RADIO NETWORK, 910 AM IN ROANOKE AND 990 AM IN BLACKSBURG. ALL GAMES ARE LIVE ON THE INTERNET AT www.radio3wr.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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