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Published on January 13, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express finished this past week's action with a 2-1-0 record. The Express enters this week with a 23-15-2 record (48 pts., 3rd NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 vs. ATLANTIC CITY 3-2 Win

The Express and Boardwalk Bullies met up in another division battle on Tuesday, with the Express posting a come-from-behind victory 3-2. The game was the fourth Roanoke comeback win in their last five games, and their fourth this season over the Bullies. Atlantic City opened a 2-0 lead after one period of play, but the Express battled back to cut the lead in half just 35 seconds into the second period on a power play goal by Joe Dusbabek. Less than three minutes later Jason Jaffray tied the game at two with a power play goal at 3:19. The teams remained tied heading into the third period when the Express found the back of the net at 7:04 of the final period on Dylan Gyori's even strength goal. The win moved Roanoke's record over Atlantic City to 4-2-1.

Evan Lindsay played strong in goal for the Express making several big saves, including three in the closing minute of the game with the Atlantic City net empty for the extra attacker. Lindsay made 28 saves and improved his record to 12-6-1. Matt Yeats started in goal for Atlantic City and suffered the loss allowing three goals on 30 shots to see his record fall to 8-5-5.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 at COLUMBIA 6-3 Loss

The Express and the Inferno met for the second and final time this season in Columbia, SC on Friday night, and for the second time this season, Columbia defeated the Express. After winning 7-4 in Roanoke on November 29, the Inferno pulled off a 6-3 win on Friday night. The Inferno outscored the Express 2-1 in each of the three periods. The game opened with Columbia scoring at 1:35 of the first period, but Joe Dusbabek answered back for Roanoke with his third short-handed goal of the season to tie the game. The Inferno then scored the next three goals to open a 4-1 lead mid way through the second period before Dylan Gyori continued his hot play by slapping home a shot from the left circle to cut the Columbia lead in half with less than a minute left in the period. The Express narrowed the lead to 4-3 just 48 seconds into the third period on a power play goal by Jason Jaffray, but the Inferno tallied two goals in the final five minutes to seal the win.

Evan Linday once again started in goal for the Express and suffered the loss allowing the six goals on 25 shots. Lindsay played all but 1:24 of the game, leaving briefly in the first period with a contact lens problem. Sebastien Laplante filled in and did not face a shot during that 1:24. Lindsay's record fell to 12-7-1. Josh Blackburn started for Columbia and made several big saves to earn the win, stopping 37 of 40 Roanoke shots.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 at CHARLOTTE 5-3 Win

The Express and the Charlotte Checkers met up for the fifth of nine times this season, and the Express came out on top with a spirited 5-3 win. The meeting was just the second on the year at Cricket Arena in Charlotte, and the win moved Roanoke's record to 1-1-0 in Charlotte. Overall the Express now hold a record of 3-2-0 vs. the Checkers this season.

The Express found themselves off to the quick start scoring twice in the first 10 minutes. Cole Fischer scored his second goal of the year, and his first since opening night, on a deflection of a shot by Tim O'Connell at 5:08 of the opening period. Dan Carlson got credit for Roanoke's second goal after a shot by Jason Jaffray bounced off his skate and into the Charlotte net at 10:16. The Checkers closed the gap to 2-1 with a goal at 17:06. The Express re-opened a two-goal advantage at 8:37 of the second period on a power play goal by Cam Bristow, his first of the season. Once again Charlotte cut the lead to one with a goal on the power play at 11:13, but Roanoke closed out the second period with a power play goal by Joe Dusbabek at 16:59. In the third period Charlotte used a power play goal to cut the lead to 4-3 at 8:17, however the Express found its two-goal lead once again at 9:58 when Rick Kowalsky slapped a shot into the upper left corner of the net from the right circle making it 5-3. Overall the teams combined for five power play goals, with the Express finishing the night 3-for-10.

Sebastien Laplante got the nod for the Express in goal, and stopped 29 of 32 Charlotte shots to earn the win and raise his record to 11-8-1. Jeff Salajko made the start for Charlotte and took the loss, allowing the five goals on 35 shots.

UPCOMING GAMES

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 at GREENSBORO 7:00 p.m.

The Express and the Greensboro Generals will meet up for the third of seven times this season, and the first of three times at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Express is 2-0-0 vs. the Generals this season winning 5-4 in overtime on October 18 at the Roundhouse and picking up the 6-4 win on November 8. The Generals begin this week's action with a record of 24-11-4 (52 pts., 2nd NE Division). Roanoke is 15-8-2 all-time vs. Greensboro.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 vs. CINCINNATI, 7:35 p.m.

The Express hosts the Cincinnati Cyclones for the second and final time this season. In their only other meeting this season, the Express had its highest scoring night winning 8-3 on December 13. Roanoke picked up a season-high eight goals in the game, including five in the first period, also a season-high. Cincinnati begins the week with a 21-13-3 record (45 pts., 3rd NW Division). The Express is 6-5-1 all-time vs. Cincinnati.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 vs. RICHMOND 7:35 p.m.

Richmond makes its second visit to Roanoke on Saturday night, and the teams meet up for the fifth of nine times overall. The Express currently holds a 2-2-0 record vs. the Renegades. Richmond won the first two meetings 8-1 and 3-2, but Roanoke has bounced back to win the two most recent games, both at the Richmond Coliseum 4-1 and 4-2. The Renegades have won just three of their last ten games, and enter this week's action with a mark of 20-19-3 (43 pts., T5th NE Division). Roanoke is 49-30-9 all-time vs. Richmond.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 at READING 5:05 p.m.

The Express reach the All-Star break on Sunday with an afternoon tilt in Reading, PA. The match up is the fifth of eight meeting this season between the Northeast Division rivals, and the third in Reading. The Express own a 3-1-0 record vs. the Royals this year, winning the first three games between the teams by scores of 6-3, 5-4, and 4-1. The Royals won the most recent game, 5-4 on January 5 at the Roundhouse. Reading begins the week with a record of 21-19-3 (43 pts., T5th NE Division). The Express is 11-6-0 all-time vs. Reading.

NEWS & NOTES

TEAM & LEAGUE LEADERS

The Express continue to have three of the top 10 scorers in the league at this point of the season. Rookie Jason Jaffray enters this week leading the ECHL in scoring with 58 points. Jaffray has picked up 26 goals and 32 assists on the season. His goal total is tied for the overall league lead, and he leads all rookies in goals and assists. Rick Kowalsky and Dylan Gyori are currently tied for ninth in the league with 50 points. Kowalsky has notched 20 goals & 30 assists and Gyori has picked up 18 goals and 32 helpers. Gyori is tied for 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.

ONE HOT ROOKIE: For the second consecutive month, Jason Jaffray was named the East Coast Hockey League's Rookie of the Month. Jaffray won the award for the month of December scoring 16 points in 13 Express games. Jaffray picked up the award in November as well, earning 24 points in 14 games. Overall it marked the first time in ECHL history, that one rookie was twice named the player of the month.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Forward Cam Bristow has notched points in three straight games (1 G, 3 A)...Jason Jaffray has points in five straight games (4 G, 5 A)...Dylan Gyori has matched his longest points scoring streak of nine games (9 G, 6 A)...Joe Dusbabek has picked up a point in nine of the last ten games (7 G, 9 A). Dusbabek is tied for the team lead with four game winning goals this season, and leads the team with three short-handed goals.

COUNTDOWN TO 100: Roanoke Express head coach Perry Florio is closing in on 100 wins as an ECHL head coach. Entering this week, Florio's win total stands at 96. He piloted the Express to a 38-30-4 record in the 2000-2001 season, and followed that with a 35-26-11 mark last season. Florio's overall career record currently stands at 96-70-17.

ALL-STAR INFO

The Express will have one representative at the 2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star Game on January 21 in Estero, Florida. Jason Jaffray was selected as a starting forward for the Northern Conference All-Star team. The starting team was selected by ECHL coaches and media.

COACH'S SHOW: The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on January 13 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. from Cornerstone Bar & Grill. Fans are encouraged to attend to show which features Express broadcaster Kevin Reiter and Head Coach Perry Florio. This week's special guest will be Express forwards Joe Dusbabek and Dan Carlson.

UPCOMING PRACTICE & GAME SCHEUDLE

Monday, January 13 10:00 a.m. Practice @ The Ice Station

Tuesday, January 14 10:00 a.m Practice @ The Ice Station

Wednesday, January 15 10:00 a.m. Pre-game skate @ The Ice Station

7:00 p.m. GAME vs. Greensboro @ The Greensboro Coliseum

Thursday, January 16 10:00 a.m. Practice @ The Ice Station

Friday, January 17 10:00 a.m. Pre-game skate @ The Roanoke Civic Center

7:35 p.m. GAME vs. Cincinnati @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Saturday, January 18 10:00 a.m. Pre-game skate @ The Roanoke Civic Center

7:35 p.m. GAME vs. Richmond @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Sunday, January 19 5:05 p.m. GAME vs. Reading @ The Sovereign 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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