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Roanoke Express Weekly

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


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express completed last week gaining five of a possible six points, by going 2-0-1. Roanoke also ran their home, unbeaten streak to eight games, going 7-0-1 in that span. Entering this week, the Express now holds a record of 37-20-6 (80 pts., 2nd, NE Division). Roanoke begins the week six points behind first place Atlantic City with nine games remaining on the schedule.

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 vs. CHARLOTTE 5-4 Shootout Loss

The Express hosted the Charlotte Checkers for the fourth time this season, and dropped a 5-4 decision in a shootout. The Express saw its record fall to 3-2-2 vs. Charlotte this season overall, and 2-1-1 at the Roundhouse.

The Checkers opened the scoring just 1:14 into the first period, but the Express bounced back with a power play goal by Duncan Dalmao at 9:31 to tie the game at one. With the teams tied 1-1 heading into the second period, the scoring erupted. Charlotte once again tallied quickly, scoring just 21 seconds into the middle stanza to regain the lead at 2-1. Roanoke, however, scored the next three goals to open a 4-2 advantage. Joe Dusbabek, Dan Carlson, ad Mike Peron all scored for the Express in the first 13:52 of the second period. Charlotte recovered to score late in the period, to cut the lead to 4-3 after two periods.

Midway through the third period, the Checkers tied the game at four, which set up the overtime session. Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, which included a power play chance for the Express. In the shootout, Roanoke scored on their first attempt, which was taken by Peron, and Charlotte missed their first two attempts. However, the Checkers scored on their next three opportunities and outscored Roanoke 3-1 in the shootout to pick up the win and the extra point in the standings.

Sebastien Laplante started in goal for the Express and made 31 saves in regulation and overtime, but suffered the shootout loss, which brought his record to 19-12-3.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 vs. WHEELING 4-2 Win

The Express defeated the Wheeling Nailers 4-2 Friday night at the Roanoke Civic Center, in the second and final meeting of the season between the teams. The win allowed the Express to keep its home, unbeaten streak alive, going 6-0-1 in its last seven at the Roundhouse.

Roanoke started the scoring off early in the game on Cam Bristow's 11th goal of the season at 2:13 of the opening period. The Nailers came back to tie the game on a power play goal at 13:44, which would send the teams to the locker room's tied at the end of the first period. The Express tallied the only second period goal, when Shawn Limpright converted on a power play goal at 4:00 of the middle stanza.

Holding a 2-1 advantage at the start of the third period, things changed quickly. Both teams scored in the first minute of the final period, with Wheeling driving one home just 13 seconds into the period, only to be followed by the Express at 57 seconds, on Frank Novock's 16th goal of the season. With a 3-2 lead, the pace of the game picked up, but the score didn't change until the 18:53 mark when Novock lit the lamp for the second time to give the Express a 4-2 advantage.

Evan Lindsay started in net for the Express and eanred his winning streak alive. Lindsay is now unbeaten in regulation in his last six games, going 5-0-1 in that span. Lindsay stopped 28 of 30 Wheeling shots, and saw his record climb to 17-8-3.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 vs. READING 4-3 Win

The Express showed its strong come-back ability once again on Saturday night vs. the Reading Royals, coming from behind to win 4-3 at the Roanoke Civic Center. The win moved Roanoke's record to 6-1-0 vs. Reading this season, with one game remaining between the teams.

The first period saw just one goal scored, which was by the Express at the 10:47 mark on a power play goal by Chad Mazurak. Holding a 1-0 lead after one period, Roanoke struggled in the second period, allowing three goals to the Royals, to fall behind 3-1 heading into the final period. Early in the third period, a five-minute major penalty was called against Reading, setting up the beginning of the comeback. Mike Peron scored first on the major power play at the 4:44 mark to cut the lead to one. While still working the power play, Frank Novock blasted a shot from the left point into the net to tie the game at 6:10.

With the game tied at three, and the Royals on their heals, the Express completed the come-from-behind effort at 11:50 on Peron's second goal of the game, which opened the 4-3 lead. Reading had one last strong chance in the final minute of the game, when their leading scorer, Brian McCullough, broke free on a short-handed breakaway, only to be denied by Express goaltender Sebastien Laplante. Overall, Laplante stopped 34 of 37 Reading shots to earn the win and raise his record to 20-12-3. The loss by Reading was their first in regulation this season when leading after two periods.

UPCOMING GAMES

MONDAY, MARCH 17 vs. PEORIA 7:05 p.m.

The Express wraps up its four-game home stand vs. the Peoria Rivermen today. The game is the only regular season meeting between the teams. The Express is 7-0-1 in its last eight home games. The Rivermen have lost their last two games, but hold an 18-11-2 record on the road this season. Peoria comes into this week's action battling for the best record in the ECHL and first place in the Northwest Division with Toledo. Peoria's record entering this week is 43-16-5 (91 pts., 2nd NW Div.). The Express is 6-9-0 all-time vs. the Rivermen.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 at COLUMBUS 7:00 p.m.

The Express meet the Columbus Cottonmouths for the only time during the regular season on Friday night at the Columbus Civic Center. For the Express it is the last extended road trip of the season, and it brings a 15-13-4 road record into the game. Entering this week Columbus has lost its last three games. The Cottomouths are 21-36-8 (50 pts., 7th SE Div.). Roanoke is 34-25-4 vs. Columbus all-time.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 at CHARLOTTE 7:35 p.m.

Roanoke travels to Charlotte for the final time this season on Saturday night. Overall the game is the eight and final meeting of the regular season between the teams. The Express holds a record of 3-2-2 vs. Charlotte this season. The most recent match-up between the teams came last Tuesday at the Roanoke Civic Center, when the Checkers earned a 5-4 win in a shootout. Charlotte begins this week riding a three-game winning streak, which has them one point out of a playoff spot in the Northeast Division. Overall, the Checkers are 37-25-3 (77 pts., NE Div.). Roanoke is 38-18-13 all-time vs. Charlotte.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23 vs. GREENSBORO 4:00 p.m.

The Express and the Generals meet head-to-head for the fifth of seven times. Roanoke is 4-1-0 vs. Greensboro this season. This will be the final meeting between the teams at the Roundhouse, where the Express is 3-0-0 vs. the Generals. Greensboro begins the week winless in its last five games (0-2-3). The Generals hold a record of 35-20-9 (79 pts., 3rd NE Div.) The Express holds and all-time record of 17-9-2 vs. Greensboro.

NEWS & NOTES

LEAGUE LEADERS

The Express have two players in the top ten of league scorers at this point of the season. Jason Jaffray is tied for seventh in the league with 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists). Jaffray's goal, assist and point totals also lead all ECHL rookies. Rick Kowalsky is ninth in the league with 79 points, having picked up 27 goals and 52 assists this season.

HOT STREAK'S

Several players currently have point-scoring streaks for the Express. Duncan Dalmao has picked up four points in the last three games...Mike Peron has earned points in four of the last five games (4 G, 5 A)... Shawn Limpright has four points in the last two games...Frank Novock has picked up three goals and two assists in the last two games...Joe Dusbabek has picked up points in six of the last eight games he has played in...Goaltender Evan Lindsay is 5-0-1 in his last six starts.

COACH'S SHOW: The next edition of "Coach's Corner LIVE!" will be held on Tuesday, March 18 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 forward Mike Peron and defenseman Cole Fischer.

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