Roanoke Express Weekly

January 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express finished a busy week with a 2-2-0 record to move into third place in the Southern Division. The Express enters this week with a record of 19-13-2, (40 pts., 3rd place in Southern Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003 vs. GWINNETT 6-4 Win

The Express closed out 2003 by hosting the Gwinnett Gladiators for the first time this season, and picking up a 6-4 win over the best team in the ECHL. The win evened the season series at 1-1-0.

A wild first period saw the teams combine for seven goals, in the highest scoring period in a Roanoke game this season. The Gladiators opened the scoring 2:18 into the game, but the Express answered back with two goals in the next 2:32. Joe Dusbabek got the Express on the board with a power play goal at 3:01, and Andrew McPherson gave Roanoke its first lead of the night at 4:50. Gwinnett responded with the next two goals a 6:57 and 18:50, to take a 3-2 lead. However the Express stoked home two goals in the final 22 seconds of the period. Shawn Limpright picked up Roanoke's second power play goal of the night at 19:38 and Steve Burgess notched his first goal of the season with five seconds to go to give the Express a 4-3 lead after one period.

Neither team scored in the second period, and in the third, Gwinnett tied the game at 5:57 of the final period. The Express bounced back once again on Shawn Limpright's second goal of the night at 11:50 to regain the lead, and then sealed the victory at 14:37 on an even strength goal by Rick Kowalsky.

Jason Wolfe started in goal for the Express and weathered the storm after allowing the three goals in the opening period to stop 39 Gwinnett shots and earn the win to raise his record to 9-6-0.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004 at AUGUSTA 6-4 Loss

Roanoke began 2004 with a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Augusta Lynx in Augusta, GA. The loss evened the season series 1-1-0.

In a roller coaster game, the Express fell behind 3-0 by the 2:25 mark of the second period before beginning the first of two come-back efforts. Rookie Bryan Perez opened the scoring for the Express at 9:51 of the second period with his first professional goal, and Joe Dusbabek brought Roanoke back to within a goal with a late power play goal at 19:09 of the middle stanza. Unfortunately for the Express, the Lynx also tallied in the final minute of the second period to regain a two goal advantage after two periods of play.

In the third period Augusta scored first to gain its second three-goal lead of the night. For the second time in the game, the Express battled back to within a goal. Andrew McPherson jammed home a shot at 3:58 of the period, and Doug Scatchard fired home a rebound at 10:18 of the final period to cut the deficit to 5-4. However, the Lynx sealed the win at 15:58 with their sixth goal of the night.

David Belitski started in net for Roanoke and suffered the loss, allowing six goals on 32 shots. The loss dropped him to 9-6-2 on the season.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2004 vs. TRENTON 5-2 Loss

Roanoke hosted its former division rival, the Trenton Titans on Saturday night, and fell 5-2. The game was the only played between the teams at the Roanoke Civic Center this season.

The game began on a high note for the Express with Duncan Dalmao notching a power play goal at 7:56 of the opening period, to give Roanoke the early lead. The lead didn't last long however, as the Titans tied the game at one at the 10 minute mark of the first period.

Tied a one entering the second period, Trenton struck for two goals to open a 3-1 advantage after two periods. The Express cut the Titans lead to one on an early third period goal by Andrew McPherson. Trenton proved to be too much for the Express however, scoring twice before the mid point of the final period to open a 5-2 lead.

Jason Wolfe made the start between the pipes for Roanoke and took the loss after allowing the five goals on 28 shots. The loss knocked Wolfe's record to 9-7-0.

The only other meeting of the season between the teams will come on January 24 at Trenton.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2004 vs. GREENSBORO 4-3 Win

The Express and Generals battled for the fifth time this season, and Roanoke earned the 4-3 victory at the Roanoke Civic Center on Sunday afternoon. The win moved Roanoke's record to 2-2-1 vs. Greensboro this season.

In another wild game between the Southern Division rivals, it was the Express that got the early jump on the Generals. Roanoke scored three first period goals to set the tone of the contest. Dan Carney opened the scoring 3:06 into the game, and Rick Kowalsky added the next two at 3:51 and 12:18 to give the Express the 3-0 advantage after one period.

Each team notched a goal in the second period, with the Generals scoring first at 11:36, but Kowalsky completed the hat trick at 18:53 by banking a shot in off Greensboro defenseman Kurt Drummond for the 4-1 lead after two periods. It would turn out that the Express would need that lucky-bounce goal, because the Generals came out firing in the third period and lit lamp twice midway through the final stanza. In the end the Express and goaltender David Belitski stood tall and withstood a mad flurry by Greensboro in the final minute to preserve the win.

Belitski made 40 saves overall in the game, including several key saves in the third period, to pick up the win, and raise his record to 10-6-2.

The Express and Generals will meet twice more this season, once in Greensboro and once in Roanoke. Both games will happen in February.

UPCOMING GAMES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, at COLUMBIA 7:30 p.m.

The Express and Columbia Inferno meet for the third of six times this season on Thursday night at the Carolina Coliseum. The game in the second and final game of the regular season between the teams in Columbia. Roanoke has won both prior games in the series, winning 4-3 in a shootout on Nov. 8 in Roanoke and coming from behind to win 5-4 in a shootout on Dec. 19 in Columbia. The Inferno enter this week's action with a record of 20-10-4 (44 pts., 1st Southern Division). Roanoke is 2-2-0 all-time vs. Columbia.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004 vs. ATLANTIC CITY 7:30 p.m.

Roanoke hosts the defending Kelly Cup Champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies for the second time this season on Friday night. Overall, the game is the third of four between the former division rivals. Atlantic City has won the first two games of the season series, collecting wins of 3-0 on Oct. 22 in AC, and 4-2 on Oct. 28 in Roanoke. The Bullies begin the week with a record of 21-9-1 (43 pts., 2nd Northern Division). The Express is 10-8-3 all-time vs. Atlantic City.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2004 vs. TOLEDO 7:30 p.m.

Roanoke hosts the Toledo Storm for the only time this season on Saturday night. The game is the first of three between the teams this year. Roanoke travels to Toledo for back-to-back games on January 30-31 to complete the season series. Last season the Storm finished with the best record in the ECHL with 104 points, however this year, Toledo has struggled to a 12-16-3 record (27 points) which has them in 8th place in the Northern Division. Roanoke is 10-11-2 all-time vs. Toledo.

NEWS & NOTES

Special Teams: The Express enters this week ranked 12th on the power play (18.8%) and ranked 20th on the penalty kill (82.6%).

League Leaders: Roanoke Express captain Rick Kowalsky is ranked 9th in overall scoring in the ECHL with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists)...Kowalsky also ranks fourth in the league in shots taken with 136... Tim O'Connell ranks 3rd in the league, and leads all defenseman in shots taken with 143 despite not playing in the league since Dec. 21...Duncan Dalmao is 3rd in the league in power play assists with 16, and is 3rd in power play points with 20...Dalmao also ranks 7th in overall points by defenseman with 29.

To The Sin Bin!: The Express continues to lead the ECHL in overall penalty minutes. Roanoke is first overall in total minutes (1,012), is 2nd in average minutes per game (29.8), and leads the league in minor penalties (291). In addition, Roanoke ranks 4th in drawing penalties, with their opponents amassing 970 PIM.

In The Division: Roanoke is 14-3-2 against its Southern Division opponents this season. 30 of their 40 points have come against divisional opponents. Roanoke's intradivision point total is the best among all Southern Division teams.

Called-Up: Express forward Shawn Limpright was called up to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League on Thursday. Limpright, who has reached career high's in goals (18) and points (35) in 27 games with the Express this season makes his first career appearance in the AHL. The 22-year-old St. Adolphe, Manitoba native made his professional debut with the Express last season, and tallied 33 points in 63 games. Limpright is the third member of the Express to receive a call-up to the AHL this season.

More Hats!: Express captain Rick Kowalsky notched the second hat trick of the season for the Express on Jan. 4 vs. Greensboro. Express defenseman Kevin Bergin picked up the first three-goal game of the year for Roanoke when he notched his first career hat-trick on Dec. 19 at Columbia. Interestingly enough, both hat tricks were completed with a goal that bounced off an opposing player and into the net!

Who's Hot for Roanoke: Duncan Dalmao has picked up a point in five of the last seven games...Dan Carney has three points in the last two games...Shawn Limpright scored a point in 13 of the last 14 games he played in before receiving his call-up to the AHL (12 g, 9 a)...Andrew McPherson has collected six points in the last six games (2 g, 4 a)...Rick Kowalsky has points in four of the last five games (4 g, 4 a)...Joe Dusbabek has picked up points in four of the last five games (3 g, 4 a), and in 15 of the last 20 games.

What Are They Up To?: The Express currently has three players called-up to the AHL. Here's an update on how each have performed: Dan Carlson (Lowell Lockmonsters) - 14 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, 8 PIM. Tim O'Connell (Norfolk Admirals) - 7 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 10 PIM. Shawn Limpright (Syracuse Crunch) - 3 games, 0 goals, 2 assist, 6 PIM.

UPCOMING PRACTICE AND GAME SCHEDULE

Monday, January 5 OFF

Tuesday, January 6 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Wednesday, January 7 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Thursday, January 8 9:00 a.m. pre-game skate @ The Roanoke Civic Center

7:30 p.m. GAME vs. Columbia @ The Carolina Coliseum

Friday, January 9 TBA pre-game skate @ The Roanoke Civic Center

7:30 p.m. GAME vs. Atlantic City @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Saturday, January 10 10:00 a.m. pre-game skate @ The Roanoke Civic Center

7:30 p.m. GAME vs. Toledo @ The Roanoke Civic Center

Sunday, January 11 OFF

(All practice times and locations are subject to change)

ALL EXPRESS GAMES ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON THE 3WR RADIO NETWORK, 910 AM IN ROANOKE AND 990 AM IN BLACKSBURG. ALL GAMES ARE LIVE ON THE INTERNET AT www.wcqv.com



ECHL Stories from January 5, 2004


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