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


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express entered the final month of the regular season in strong fashion, going 2-1-0 in its three games this past week. The Express has won six of its last eight games and overall, is 34-20-4 (72 pts., 3rd NE Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 vs. TRENTON 6-2 Win

The Express took on the Trenton Titans for the seventh time on Wednesday night at the Roanoke Civic Center, and came away with a convincing 6-2 victory. The win was the fourth by Roanoke over Trenton, but was the first win in regulation and first win at the Roundhouse over the Titans.

Despite falling behind early, with the Titans scoring just 35 seconds into the start of the game, the Express battled back to score twice in the first period. Dan Carlson tied the game at 11:19 and Jason Jaffray gave Roanoke the lead for good just 39 seconds later at 11:58. Roanoke extended their lead to 3-1 at 4:27 of the second period on Joe Dusbabek's 18th goal of the season. Jaffray added his second goal of the game at 7:42 of the second period to open a 4-1 lead, before the Titans tallied less than a minute later to cut the lead in half. The Express finished off the middle period with Carlson netting his second goal of the night and 29th of the season at 15:38. The final goal came late in the third period on a power play goal by Dylan Gyori at 16:26.

Evan Lindsay continued his strong play in net winning his third straight game, stopping 29 of 31 Trenton shots. The win put his record at 15-8-2. Cody Rudkowsky started in net for the Titans and suffered the loss, allowing the six goals on 40 shots. The loss dropped his record to 14-5-5.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 at READING 7-4 Win

Roanoke traveled to Reading for the final time this regular season, and pulled out a 7-4 win over their division rival. The 11 goals by the two teams matched a Roanoke season high for combined goals in one game. The win was also the fourth straight by the Express, which matched a season-high as well. With the win, the Express is now 5-1-0 vs. Reading with two games left in the season series.

Roanoke opened the scoring at 6:37 on Duncan Dalmao's 10th goal of the year. The Royals tied the game at 14:39, only to see the Express regain the lead just 48 seconds later on a goal by Josh Barker. In the second period, the Express extended the lead to 3-1 on Dan Carlson's 30th goal of the season at 12:07. Reading notched a goal 41 seconds after Carlson's tally, to cut the lead back to one.

The third period featured a fast and furious pace with the teams combining for six goals. The Express struck first 31seconds into the frame on Barker's second goal of the game. Reading responded to cut the lead to 4-3 at 4:38. That goal sparked a wild next 2:53, which saw five goals in that span. Rick Kowalsky scored for Roanoke at the 4:56 mark, and Doug Schueller added his second goal of the year at 6:01 to open a 6-3 lead. The Royals cut into the lead at 6:13, and Kowalsky finished the wildness with an unassisted goal at 7:31.

With a 7-4 lead, the Express buckled down defensively and held off a late charge by the Royals.

Evan Lindsay made his fourth consecutive start in goal for the Express and earned his fourth straight win. Lindsay stopped 26 of 30 Reading shots to raise his record to 16-8-2. Jeff Sanger took the loss allowing the seven goals on 34 shots to drop his record to 18-11-3.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 at TRENTON 3-0 Loss

Roanoke made its last visit to Trenton on Saturday night, and had their four-game winning snapped by the Titans 3-0. The loss once again brought the Express to .500 vs. Trenton this season, with the Express now holding a 4-4-0 record vs. its division rival with one game remaining between the teams.

The Titans lit the lamp the first time late in the opening period on a goal with just 40 seconds left in the period. Trenton's second goal came early in the second period on a power play goal at 3:17. The Titans added the final goal, also on the power play at 9:25 of the second period.

Sebastien Laplante made his first start in goal for the Express since February 14, and suffered the loss by allowing the three goals on 33 Trenton shots. The loss dropped his record to 18-12-2. David St. Germain started in goal for the Titans and earned the shutout, stopping all 24 Roanoke shots, raising his record to 10-13-2. The shutout against the Express was the third this year.

UPCOMING GAMES

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 vs. RICHMOND 7:35 p.m.

The Express and the Richmond Renegades will meet up for the eighth of ten times this season on Friday night at the Roanoke Civic Center. The game will be the fourth of five held at the Roundhouse. Roanoke enters the game with a 4-3-0 record vs. the Renegades this season. The Renegades won the most recent match-up 5-1 on January 31 at Richmond. Richmond begins the week with a record of 30-28-3 (63 pts., 6th, NE Div.) The Express is 51-31-9 all-time vs. Richmond.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 at GREENVILLE 2:00 p.m.

The Express plays its only game vs. the Greenville Grrrowl on Saturday afternoon at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC. The game is the second to last the Express will play against a Southern Conference team this season. The Grrrowl, last year's Kelly Cup Champions, have struggled this season compiling a record of 23-30-6 (52 pts., 5th, SE Div.). Entering this week, Greenville is in position to enter the playoff race in the play-in game in the Southeast Division, leading Augusta by five points. Roanoke is 3-0-0 all-time vs. the Grrrowl.

NEWS & NOTES

LEAGUE LEADERS

Three Express players remain in the top ten of league scorers at this point of the season. Jason Jaffray and Rick Kowalsky are both tied for sixth in the league with 75 points. Jaffray has notched 31 goals and 44 assists, while Kowalsky has picked up 25 goals and 50 helpers. Dylan Gyori is tied for eighth in the league with 72 points, having picked up 22 goals and 50 assists. In addition, Jaffray's goal, assist and point totals, lead all ECHL rookies.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

Two moves have taken place for the Express since last week. Defenseman Scott Balan was recalled to Norfolk for the third time this season, on Tuesday. Balan has appeared in 30 games with the Express this season. On Thursday, Dylan Gyori was called up to the Utah Grizzlies of the AHL, and played in three games with them over the weekend, scoring two goals.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Jason Jaffray has points in four of the last five games (2 G, 7 A)...Dan Carlson has earned points in three of the last four games (6 G, 2 A)... Rick Kowalsky has now picked up points in seven of the last ten games (3 G, 10 A)...Joe Dusbabek has points in four of the last six games he has played in (2 G, 6 A)...Evan Lindsay has won his last four starts in goal.

COACH'S SHOW: The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on Tuesday, March 4 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 forwards Shawn Limpright and Chad Mazurak.



ECHL Stories from March 3, 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.

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