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Express Weekly

February 3, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express finished its most recent week of action with three games on the road, compiling a record of 1-2-0. The Express enters this week with a 28-19-3 record (59 pts., 3rd NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 at GREENSBORO 2-1 Win

The Express began the week under the guidance of new head coach Tony MacAulay, and responded with a hard-fought 2-1 win at the Greensboro Coliseum over the Generals. The win improved Roanoke's record over Greensboro this season to 3-1-0.

Chad Mazurak began the scoring for the Express at 9:55 of the first period by redirecting a pass from Dylan Gyori past Greensboro goaltender Daniel Berthiaume to give the Express a 1-0 lead. Midway through the second period, the Generals pulled even on Chris Bell's even strength goal, but the Express needed just 26 seconds to regain the lead. Frank Novock banged home a rebound off the end boards to open the 2-1 lead.

Express goaltender Sebastien Laplante played one of his best games in net this season stoning the Generals throughout the third period to preserve the 2-1 lead. Overall, Laplante faced 40 Greensboro shots and stopped all but one to earn the win and raise his record to 16-10-1. Berthiaume also faced 40 shots, but suffered the tough-luck loss to drop his record to 20-8-3.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 at RICHMOND 5-1 Loss

The Express and the Renegades met for the seventh time on Friday night, and the Renegades earned the 5-1 win at the Richmond Coliseum. Roanoke is now 4-3-0 vs. Richmond this season, with three games left in the season series.

The game started off strong for the Express, as Frank Novock tallied against his former team just 47 seconds into the start of the game. Richmond rebounded just past the mid point of the opening period with a power play goal at 13:45. With the score tied at one after the first period, the Renegades scored the only goal of the second period at 12:42 of the middle period. With the game still up for grabs, Richmond struck a major blow to the Express scoring while shorthanded at 9:40 of the third period to open a 3-1 lead. The Renegades finished out the game scoring twice in a 1:19 span late in the third period to take a commanding 5-1 advantage.

Sebastien Laplante made the start in goal for Roanoke and made several big saves, including a season high 21 in the second period alone, but suffered the loss allowing the five goals on 38 shots. His record fell to 16-11-1 on the year. Marc Magliarditi got the start in net for Richmond and was outstanding, making big save after big save throughout the game. Overall the ‘Gades netminder stopped 26 of 27 shots to raise his record to 15-15-1.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 at DAYTON 5-1 Loss

The Express and the Dayton Bombers met for the only time this season on Saturday night at the Nutter Center in Dayton, OH. The Bombers came away with a convincing 5-1 win, sending the Express to its second straight loss. The back-to-back regulation losses for the Express was the first time its happened since Nov. 29-30.

For the second consecutive night, it was the Express which found the back of the net first, this time on Cam Bristow's power play goal at 12:30 of the first period. Despite taking that lead into the locker room with them after the first period, it was all Dayton in the next two periods. The Bombers tallied twice in the second period scoring at 4:15 on Andrew Ianiero's even strength goal, and stinging the Express for a goal with just 22 seconds remaining in the second period by Jamie Ling. In the final period, Ling scored twice more to complete the hat trick, and the final goal was added by Fred Slukynsky with just under five minutes to go. With the score 5-1, the Bombers had a chance to increase the lead by one more when a penalty shot was awarded to Dayton after Express defenseman Cole Fischer closed his hand on the puck in the crease. Ben Knopp took the penalty shot, but missed when it rolled off his stick and wide of the net.

Evan Lindsay got the start in goal for Roanoke and faced a team season high 46 shots. Lindsay's record fell to 12-8-2 on the season. Shane Bendera started for Dayton and stopped 25 of 26 Express shots to raise his record to 12-14-4.

UPCOMING GAMES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 at AUGUSTA, 7:35 p.m.

The Express makes its only trip to Augusta, GA to take on the Lynx on Friday night. Overall it is the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams. On November 2, the teams went head-to-head at the Roanoke Civic Center, with the Express earning its only shutout of the year, winning 6-0. The Lynx enter this week's action with a 16-28-3 record (35 pts., 7th SE Division). The 35 points earned by Augusta is the lowest by any team in the ECHL this year. Roanoke is 26-16-6 all-time vs. Augusta.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 at SOUTH CAROLINA 7:30 p.m.

The Express and the South Carolina Stingrays will battle for the second and final time this season when they meet up in Charleston, SC on Saturday night. The first meeting of the season, also in Charleston, resulted in a 4-2 Stingrays win. Coming into this week, the Stingrays are in a battle for first place in the Southeast Division. South Carolina is 25-16-4 (54 pts., 4th SE Division), and finds themselves just five points out of first place. The Express is 16-13-4 all-time vs. South Carolina.

NEWS & NOTES

TEAM & LEAGUE LEADERS

Two Express players are in the top ten scorers in the league at this point of the season. Dylan Gyori is tied for third in the league in scoring with 66 points (20 goals, 46 assists). His assist total is second overall in the league as well. Rick Kowalsky is now tied for sixth in the league with 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists).

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Frank Novock has points in four of the last seven games (2 G, 3 A)...Cam Bristow has picked up points in four of the last six games

(2 G, 7 A)...Dylan Gyori has now earned points in 16 of the last 19 games (11 G, 20 A)...Rick Kowalsky has stretched his streak to nine of the last ten games (3 G, 13 A)...Joe Dusbabek has points in five of the last seven games he has played in (Jan. 7-19; 4 G, 6 A).

COUNTDOWN TO 500: Roanoke Express forward Rick Kowalsky is closing in on 500 career professional points. Entering this week's action, Kowalsky has amassed 496 points in a career that began in 1993-94 with the Cornwall Aces of the American Hockey League. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1992, the Simcoe, Ontario native has played in 557 professional games, scoring 197 goals and 299 assists. Of his 557 career games, 118 of them have come in and Express uniform.

COACH'S SHOW: The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on February 3 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 Tony MacAulay. This week's special guest will be Express goaltender Sebastien Laplante.

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