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Roanoke Express Weekly

October 27, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express wrapped up its first road swing of the season splitting this past weeks games, dropping their first game to Atlantic City, then rebounding with a win against Cincinnati. Overall the Express was 1-2-0 on the road trip. The Express enters this week with a record of 1-3-0, (7th place in Southern Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2003 at ATLANTIC CITY 3-0 LOSS

The Express and the defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies met up for the first of four meetings this season last Wednesday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The Boardwalk Bullies kept their winning streak alive with a 3-0 shutout, and send the Express to its third straight loss to open the season. Sam Paolini, Pierre-Luc Sleigher, and Brian Fahey all scored for the Bullies, who improved their record to 3-0-0 with the win.

Goaltender Jake Moreland stopped all 27 shots against him in his first start of the season to earn the shutout. David Belitski started in goal for Roanoke and stopped 30 of 33 shots fired at him in the losing effort. The loss dropped Belitski to 0-2-0 on the season.

The Express and the Boardwalk Bullies meet for the second time on Tuesday of this week, then skate against each other on January 9 at the Roanoke Civic Center, and on February 27 at Atlantic City. The loss dropped the Express to 10-7-3 all-time vs. Atlantic City.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2003 at CINCINNATI 3-2 Win

The Express skated against the Cincinnati Cyclones for the first of two times this season, and the only time at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati. Roanoke collected its first win of the year with a hard-fought 3-2 come-from-behind victory.

After a scoreless first period, the Cyclones opened the scoring with the only goal of the second period on a powerplay goal by Ryan Brindley. Trailing 1-0 entering the third period, the Express quickly tied the game up on Rick Kowalsky's first goal of the season just 1:47 into the period. Cincinnati broke the deadlock at 7:51 of the third, on a powerplay goal by Mike Casselman for the 2-1 lead. The Express rebounded once again to tie the game at 13:06 on Tim O'Connell's powerplay tally. Less than two minutes later, Roanoke took their first lead in a game this season, when Blair Stayzer wristed home a shot from the right circle at 14:52 to give Roanoke a 3-2 lead.

Jason Wolfe started in goal for the Express and made several big saves en-route to the win. Wolfe (1-1-0) stopped 32 shots to pick up the victory. Tyler Masters got the start in goal for Cincinnati and fell to 0-2-0 allowing the three goals on 26 shots.

The win moved Roanoke to 8-5-1 all-time vs. Cincinnati.

UPCOMING GAMES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2003 vs. ATLANTIC CITY 7:00 p.m.

The Express hosts the defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies for the first of two times on Tuesday night. Last Wednesday, the Bullies picked up a 3-0 victory over the Express at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The two teams will skate against each other two more times after Tuesday, with the Bullies visiting Roanoke on Jan. 9, and the Express making their second visit to Atlantic City on Feb. 27. The Express has an all-time record vs. Atlantic City of 10-7-3.

Tuesday night is Oktoberfest at the Roanoke Civic Center. Throughout the game between the Express and Bullies, fans will have a chance to participate in several events, including a Sauerkraut eating contest, a yodeling contest and a chicken dance contest.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2003 at GREENVILLE 7:05 p.m.

Roanoke makes the first of three visits to the BI-LO Center in Greenville, SC on Friday night. The game is the first of six between the Southern Division teams. Friday night also marks the first game against a divisional opponent for the Express this season. Entering this week, Greenville was 0-3-0 to begin the year. Last season, the Express and the Grrrowl played once, with Greenville winning 3-2 in a shootout at the BI-LO Center. Roanoke has an all-time record of 3-0-1 vs. the Grrrowl.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2003 vs. GREENSBORO 7:30 p.m.

The Express hosts the Greensboro Generals for the first of four times on Saturday night. Overall it is the first of seven meeting between the two rivals. Last year the Express was 4-3-0 vs. the Generals, and was 3-1-0 at the Roanoke Civic Center vs. Greensboro. Roanoke is 17-11-2 all-time vs. Greensboro.

Saturday night is "Halloween Night" at the Roanoke Civic Center. Children who come to the game in a Halloween costume will receive a bag of candy when they enter, and will also have a chance to participate in a costume parade in between periods.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2003 vs. CHARLOTTE 4:00 p.m.

Roanoke plays game-two of its season-long four-game home stand on Sunday afternoon against the Charlotte Checkers. The game is the first of six meetings between the division rivals, and the first of three at the Roundhouse. Last season, the Express skated to a 4-2-2 record vs. the Checkers. All-time, the Express is 39-18-13 vs. Charlotte.

NEWS & NOTES

SPECIALTIES: Early in the 2003-04 season, the Express is 12th on the power play (17.4%) and is 12th on the penalty kill (87.5%).

OUT OF DIVISION EXPERIENCE?: The Roanoke Express' first divisional match-up comes on the final day of October when they travel to Greenville, SC., five games into the 2003-2004 schedule. Interestingly enough, once the Express plays that game against the Grrrowl, they play seven of their next eight games against teams inside the Southern Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Early on, Dan Carlson and Shawn Limpright lead the Express in scoring. Carlson leads the team with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and Limpright is second with four points (2 goals, 2 assists).



ECHL Stories from October 27, 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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