Roanoke Express Weekly

February 16, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express completed its season-long 10-game road trip this past week, with four games, and played to a 1-2-1 record . The Express enters this week with a record of 23-23-6, (52 pts., 6th place in Southern Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2004 at GREENSBORO 3-2 Overtime Loss

The Express began the week by gaining a point in the standings in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Greensboro Generals. The game was the third between the teams at the Greensboro Coliseum, with the Generals winning all three, including twice in overtime.

The Express had to battle back from being down 2-0 early in the second period to force the game to the extra session. After a pair of goals by Mike Bayrack for Greensboro, Bryan Perez notched his fourth goal of the season at 2:26 of the second period to get Roanoke on the board. The Express tied the contest late in the second period on a goal by Doug Scatchard with 1:18 remaining in the period.

The teams remained tied at two through the third period sending the game to overtime. It was the second straight game between the teams in Greensboro that went to overtime, and for the second time the Generals found the game-winner in the overtime session. Eric Fortier chipped in the winner 1:51 into overtime for the extra point.

Jason Wolfe got the start in goal for the Express and made 36 saves in the contest, including 14 in the first period. Wolfe received credit for a tie, to move his record to 10-12-2.

The win gave Greensboro the advantage in the season series with a 4-2-0 record.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 at FLORENCE 2-1 Loss

Roanoke and Florence finished off their season series schedule on Friday night at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, SC with a 2-1 Pride win.

In a tightly contested game, one of the newest members of the Express opened the scoring just 2:03 into the game, when Carl Mallette, who was acquired in a trade with Florida two days prior, banked the puck home off the left post from the right circle to give the Express a 1-0 lead. The lead stood up until the 6:15 mark of the second period when Florence tied the game on a power play goal. The Pride then took the lead eight minutes into the third period on a rebound goal by Wes Goldie.

Jason Wolfe made his sixth straight start in goal for the Express, and played one of his best games of the season turning away 40 Florence shots. The tough-luck loss dropped Wolfe's record to 10-13-2. Former Express goaltender Sebastien Laplante turned away 17 Roanoke shots to earn the win in his first start against his former team. The season series finished with the Express holding a 3-1-1 record against its division rival.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2004 at GWINNETT 7-2 Loss

Roanoke made its second and final visit to the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA on Saturday night, and fell 7-2 to the Gladiators. The win gave Gwinnett wins in both games between the two teams in Georgia.

The game began with a wild first period, with five goals between the two teams. The Gladiators opened the scoring at 4:47 on a four-on-four goal by Jim Jackson. The Express battled back with two goals two and a half minutes apart late in the opening frame. Rick Kowalsky tied the game at 13:58 on the power play, and Doug Scatchard put the Express on top 2-1 at 16:26. The momentum for Roanoke was short lived however, as the Gladiators tied the game at two just 1:17 after the Express took the lead. Gwinnett then gained momentum for themselves by scoring with just 18 seconds left in the opening period for a 3-2 lead.

The wild scoring affair settled down in the second period, with only Gwinnett tallying a goal midway through the period to take a 4-2 advantage. In the third period, the Gladiators blew the game open with three goals in the first 10 minutes to open a 7-2 lead.

Jason Wolfe suffered the loss to fall to 10-14-2, allowing the seven goals on 48 shots. The Gladiators now lead the season series 2-1-0.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2004 at CHARLOTTE 2-1 Win

The Express picked up its lone win of the week with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers at Cricket Arena in Charlotte, NC.

The Express fell behind 1-0 on an even strength goal by Blaz Emersic 13:37 into the first period, but battled back to tie the game just 1:06 into the second period on Rick Kowalsky's 22nd goal of the season on the power play. The game remained tied a one until midway through the third period, when Andrew McPherson chipped in his 15th goal of the year at 10:38 to give Roanoke the one-goal lead.

Jason Wolfe made the lead stand up with another phenomenal job in goal for the Express, stopping 12 Charlotte shots in the third period. Overall Wolfe made 31 saves to pick up the win and raise his record to 11-14-2. The win moved Roanoke's record to 3-1-0 this season vs. the Checkers with two games remaining between the teams this season.

UPCOMING GAMES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2004 vs. GREENSBORO 7:00 p.m.

Roanoke returns home for the first time since Jan. 25, and for only the second time since Jan. 10 to take on its division rival, the Greensboro Generals. The game is the seventh and final meeting of the year between the teams, and the fourth at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Express is 2-2-2 vs. Greensboro this season, and is 2-1-0 vs. the Generals at the Roundhouse. The most recent meeting between the teams resulted in a 3-2 overtime win for the Generals at the Greensboro Coliseum on Feb. 10. Roanoke's wins against Greensboro have both come at the Roanoke Civic Center by scores of 6-4 on Nov. 1 and 4-3 on Jan. 4. The Generals enter this week's action with a record of 31-20-1 (63 pts., 2nd Southern Division), and has won three straight and seven of its last 10. Roanoke is

19-13-4 all-time vs. Greensboro.

The Express is giving away "Miracle" movie posters for the first 1,500 fans in attendance.

FRIDAY, FEBURAY 20 & 21, 2004 vs. GWINNETT 7:30 p.m. (Both Games)

The Express remains at home on Friday at Saturday night's to take on the Gwinnett Gladiators for the fourth and fifth times this season, and the second and third games at the Roundhouse between the teams. The Express is 1-2-0 vs. Gwinnett this season losing twice in Gwinnett and picking up a 6-4 win on new year's eve at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Gladiators enter this week with a 29-18-4 (62 pts., 3rd in Central Division). Roanoke is 2-3-0 all-time vs. the Gwinnett franchise, which was previously the Moblie (AL) Mysticks.

Saturday night is "Pack The Roundhouse Night!" All Silver and Gold section seats cost $5 for adults and $3 for children, if ordered in advance. The Silver and Gold section seats will be $6 for adults and $4 for children if purchased the day of the game. In addition, the Express will be giving away Express player card sheets for the first 3,000 fans through the gates. The Express will also be wearing special turn-back-the-clock jerseys replicating the Roanoke Valley Rebels, which will be available for auction after the game.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2004 at SOUTH CAROLINA 3:00 p.m.

Roanoke travels to Charleston, SC for the final time this season on Sunday afternoon to take on the South Carolina Stingrays. The game is the fourth of five between the division rivals, and the third at the North Charleston Coliseum. Roanoke holds a 2-0-1 record vs. the Stingrays this season. The Express has collected wins of 3-1 on Nov. 16 and 3-1 on Nov. 29. The Stringrays won the most recent contest 3-2 in a shootout on Feb. 5 in Charleston. South Carolina enters this week with a 26-20-6 record (59 pts., 4th in Southern Division). The Stringrays have played the fewest games of all the Southern Division teams. The Express is 19-13-5 all-time vs. South Carolina.

NEWS & NOTES

Special Teams: The Express enters this week ranked 16th on the power play (16.9%) and ranked 13th on the penalty kill (83.9%).

Road Warriors: The Express finished up its season-high 10 game road trip this past Sunday in Charlotte. Overall the Express finished with a 2-5-3 mark on the trip, collecting wins against Toledo and Charlotte. The Express suffered losses to Toledo, Augusta, Charlotte, Florence and Gwinnett, and earned ties against Dayton, South Carolina and Greensboro.

Frequent Buser Miles?: While on the subject of the 10-game road trip, the Express traveled 3,226 miles during the trek. Oh, and in case your wondering, overall during the 2003-2004 season, the Express will log just over 18,000 travel miles.

Trade: The Express pulled off a trade last week, sending defenseman Tim O'Connell to the Florida Everblades for forward Carl Mallette and defenseman Kevin Holdridge. O'Connell was in his second season with Roanoke, and had picked up 22 points in 39 games this season. Mallette, a rookie, was third on the Everblades in scoring, notching 41 points (14g, 27a) in 50 games. Holdridge, also a rookie, is now with his third team this season, having picked up two points in 27 games with Florida, and one point in 15 games with Louisiana to start the year.

League Leaders: Goaltender David Belitski is third among ECHL netminders is shootout save percentage with a .833 mark...forward Carl Mallette is sixth among rookie scorers with 43 points (15g, 28a)...defenseman Duncan Dalmao is seventh in scoring among ECHL defenseman with 37 points (6g, 31a), Dalmao is also fourth among defenseman with 18 power play assists, and fourth with 22 power play points.

Injury Bug: The Express continues to struggle with the injury bug, with David Silverstone, Josh Barker, Blair Stayzer and Travis Smith all sidelined with injuries. In all, the Express has had 62 man-games missed this season because of injury, 56 of those man-games missed have come since the beginning of January.

In The Division: Roanoke is 15-8-4 against its Southern Division opponents this season. 34 of their 52 points have come against divisional opponents.

How Are They Doing?: Shawn Limpright and David Belitski remain on call-up to the American Hockey League. Limpright has skated in 16 games with the Syracuse Crunch, picking up three goals and four assists, while collecting 40 penalty minutes, and holds a plus-10 rating...Belitski has played in three games with the Toronto Roadrunners, and holds a 1-1-0 record with a 3.49 GAA and .877 save percentage.



ECHL Stories from February 16, 2004


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