Sports stats

Express Weekly

February 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express played just one game this past week because of the snowy and icy weather in the Carolinas. In addition, Roanoke's season-long road trip of eight games was cut to seven. The Express enters this week with a 30-19-4 record (64 pts., 3rd NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 at ATLANTIC CITY 4-3 Shootout Loss

The Express' lone game this week was the final regular season match up against the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. The Bullies out did the Express in a shootout to earn the extra point in the important Northeast Division game. The Express finished the season series with a 4-3-2 record against Atlantic City.

The Boardwalk Bullies opened the scoring in the contest at 6:26 of the first period on the power play, but Cam Bristow answered back for Roanoke two minutes later, slipping an unassisted goal past Atlantic City netminder Matt Yeats to tie the game. The Bullies responded at the 12:53 mark of the opening period to regain the lead and head to the locker room leading 2-1 after one.

Atlantic City jumped on Roanoke early in the second period to increase the lead to 3-1, scoring just 38 seconds into the middle stanza. The Express began its comeback at the 6:21 mark of the second period when Frank Novock beat Yeats from outside the blueline to cut the lead to 3-2. On the goal, Rick Kowalsky picked up an assist, which gave him 500 career professional points. The Express completed the comeback effort on Cam Bristow's second goal of the night at 15:54 of the second period.

Neither team found the back of the net in the third period or in the five-minute overtime session, sending the game to a shootout. In the shootout, Roanoke scored on their first attempt by Dylan Gyori, but missed on their next three attempts. Atlantic City scored on their first, third and fourth attempts to seal in the win.

Sebastien Laplante started in goal for the Express and made 28 saves in regualation and overtime, but got credit for a shootout loss allowing the three goals in the shootout. His record sits at 18-11-2. Yeats picked up the win for the Bullies, raising his record to 15-7-6.

UPCOMING GAMES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 vs. GREENSBORO, 7:35 p.m.

The Express hosts the Greensboro Generals for the third time this year, and the first time since Nov. 8. Overall this will be the fifth of seven meetings this season between the Northeast Division rivals. The Express enter Friday's game with a 3-1-0 record vs. the Generals this season, and are 2-0 at the Roundhouse vs. Greensboro. The Generals enter this week enjoying their best season ever with a record of 31-16-5 (67 pts., 2nd NE Div.). The Express is 16-9-2 all-time vs. Greensboro.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 vs. PEE DEE 8:00 p.m.

The Express welcome the Pee Dee Pride to town on Saturday night for the fourth and final meeting of the season between the teams. It is the second time the teams will skate at the Roanoke Civic Center. Roanoke enters the game with a 2-1-0 record vs. the Pride. The last time the teams matched up was on Dec. 27 at the Roundhouse, and the Express earned a 5-3 win. The first two games, played in Florence, SC resulted in a 5-1 win for Pee Dee and a 4-1 win by the Express. Pee Dee begins the week with a record of 30-18-5 (65 pts., 3rd SE Div.). Roanoke is 17-8-0 all-time vs. Pee Dee.

NEWS & NOTES

GAME RESCHEDULED

Roanoke's game on Feb. 16 at Greensboro was postponed because of the snowy and icy conditions in Virginia and North Carolina on Sunday. The game will be made up on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum.

TEAM & LEAGUE LEADERS

Threee Express players are in the top ten scorers in the league at this point of the season. Rick Kowalsky and Dylan Gyori are tied for sixth in the league with 69 points. Kowalsky has picked up 23 goals and 46 assists, while Gyori has earned 21 goals and 48 assists. Just behind them in eighth place is Jason Jaffray. Jaffray, who rejoined the Express from Norfolk on Feb. 13, has picked up 66 points (29 G, 37 A).

PLAYER MOVEMENT

The Express have had some player movement of late. Jason Jaffray was reassigned to the Express on Feb. 13 after playing in two games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. In all, Jaffray spent a month in the AHL and missed a total of eight Express games. Defenseman Tim O'Connell earned a call-up to the Rochester Americans of the AHL following Roanoke's game at Atlantic City on Feb. 14. O'Connell has 29 points in 49 games with the Express.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Mike Peron has picked up points in four of the last six games (0 G, 4 A)...Frank Novock has earned points in four of the last six games

(4 G, 1 A)...Cam Bristow has points in three of the last four games (4 G, 0 A)...Dylan Gyori has picked up points in five of the last eight games (2 G, 9 A)...Rick Kowalsky has a point in five straight games

(1 G, 5 A)...Goaltender Sebastien Laplante has a 6-2-1 record in his last nine starts.

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.



ECHL Stories from February 17, 2003


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.

Other Recent Roanoke Express Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central