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Express Weekly

February 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express continued its season-long eight-game road trip this past weekend with games in Augusta and South Carolina. The Express picked up wins in both of its games, raising its record to 3-2-1 on the current trip. The Express enters this week with a 30-19-3 record (63 pts., 3rd NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 at AUGUSTA 2-1 Overtime Win

The Express began the week with its only trip to Augusta, GA for what was the second and final meeting of the season against the Lynx. The Express needed extra time to earn the win in a game dominated by the goaltenders. Sebastien Laplante started in goal for Roanoke and former NHL goaltender Tom Draper got the start in goal for Augusta. Both goalies were spectacular throughout the game turning chance after chance away.

After a scoreless first period, the Lynx opened the scoring with a power play goal at 5:16 of the middle period. After being turned away by Draper on their first 29 shots, the Express finally snuck one past the Lynx netminder with three seconds remaining in the second period on a strong up-ice rush. The play began behind the Roanoke net with Dan Carlson moving the puck to Rick Kowalsky on the right wing boards. Kowalsky then fed the puck back to Carlson who moved across the blue line with speed and was able to slip one between the right arm and body of Draper to tie the game.

The goalies held strong in the final period sending the game to overtime tied at one. At 1:40 of the extra session, Carlson again beat Draper to give the Express the win. Carlson's goal came from the bottom of the right circle, after swinging out from behind the goal, he lifted a shot over top of the Augusta goaltender for the win.

In all, Laplante made 31 saves in the game to earn the win and raise his record to 17-11-1 and Draper, in his first game with the Lynx, got credit for a tie.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 at SOUTH CAROLINA 5-2 Win

The Express and the South Carolina Stingrays met for the second and final time on Saturday night. After falling 4-2 in the first game between the teams, the Express exacted some revenge in front of a sold out North Charleston Coliseum.

The Express did it's best to quiet the noisy crowd of 10,529 by scoring twice in the first 3:30. Roanoke opened the scoring at 1:06 of the first period on Cam Bristow's slap shot from the right wing boards. Moments later at 3:30 of the opening period, Rick Kowalsky notched his 23rd goal of the season wristing a shot into the upper right corner of the net from the right circle for the quick 2-0 lead. Despite a combined total of six power plays in the first period for the two teams, neither team notched a goal with the man advantage. The Express did extend its lead to 3-0 after one period on Shawn Limpright's goal from the bottom of the left circle. The three goals in the opening period came on six shots.

Frank Novock extended the Roanoke lead to 4-0 at 5:59 of the second period with a power play goal before the Stingrays found the scoreboard. South Carolina found the back of the net for the first time at 13:48 of the middle period cutting the score to 4-1. Dylan Gyori regained the four-goal lead for the Express with a power play goal at 15:50 of the third period, and the Stingrays closed the scoring at 18:16 of the final stanza.

Sebastien Laplante made his second straight start in goal for the Express and stopped 33 of 35 South Carolina shots to earn the win and bring his record to 18-11-1. Kirk Daubenspeck made his 42nd appearance of the season in goal for the Stingrays and suffered the loss, allowing the five goals on just 19 Roanoke shots. The 19 shots in one game was a season-low for the Express.

UPCOMING GAMES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 at ATLANTIC CITY, 7:05 p.m.

The Express makes its final trip of the season to Atlantic City for the final regular season match up between the Northeast Division rivals. The Express currently hold a 4-3-1 overall record vs. the Boardwalk Bullies, and a 1-2-1 record at Boardwalk Hall. The most recent match up resulted in a 6-5 Atlantic City win on Jan. 23 at the Roanoke Civic Center. Rick Kowalsky leads all Express scorers vs. the Bullies with 10 points (5 G, 5 A) in seven games. Coming into this week, the Boardwalk Bullies have won four straight games and are 30-10-10 (70 pts., 1st NE Division). The Express is 10-6-2 all-time vs. Atlantic City.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 at GREENSBORO 4:00 p.m.

The Express makes its third visit to the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday afternoon for the fifth overall meeting of the season between the Northeast Division rivals. The Express currently holds a 3-1-0 record vs. the Generals. The last time the two teams met resulted in a 2-1 Roanoke win on Jan. 30 at Greensboro. The Express and Generals meet twice more following Sunday's game. Entering this week's action, the Generals are just two points ahead of the Express in the standings with a 30-14-5 record (65 pts., 2nd NE Division). Roanoke is 16-9-2 all-time vs. Greensboro.

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 fifth in the league in scoring with 69 points (21 goals, 48 assists). His assist total is second overall in the league as well. Rick Kowalsky is now sixth in the league with 68 points (23 goals, 45 assists), and his assist total is ranked third overall in the ECHL.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Duncan Dalmao has three points in the last two games...Dylan Gyori has racked up points in 17 of the last 21 games (12 G, 22 A)...Rick Kowalsky has earned points in 11 of the last 12 games (4 G, 15 A)...Joe Dusbabek has picked up point in six of the last eight games he has played in (4 G, 7 A)...Sebastien Laplante has earned the win in four of his last five starts.

COUNTDOWN TO 500: Roanoke Express forward Rick Kowalsky is closing in on 500 career professional points. Entering this week's action, Kowalsky has amassed 499 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 198 goals and 301 assists. Of his 559 career games, 120 of them have come in and Express uniform.

COACH'S SHOW: The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on February 17 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 guests will be Express defenseman Josh Barker and Chad Mazurak.

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