Roanoke Express Weekly

March 8, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express finished a very light week of work winning its only game to run its current winning streak to three straight, and seven of its last ten. The Express enters this week with a record of 29-26-6, (64 pts., 6th place in Southern Division).

LAST WEEK'S ACTION

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2004 vs. COLUMBIA 4-2 Win

The Express hosted the Southern Division leading Columbia Inferno in its only game this past week, and earned two big points in the standings with a 4-2 victory. The win improved Roanoke's record to 3-1-0 vs. Columbia this season.

The teams skated a tight checking first period, with neither team scoring, and each managing just six shots on goal. However, in the second period the offensive play picked up for both clubs. The Inferno opened the scoring at 6:37 of the second period on Eric Labelle's seventh goal of the year. The lead lasted only 49 seconds before Kevin Bergin notched his ninth goal of the season to tie the game at one. Dan Carney gave Roanoke its first lead of the night at 14:14 of the second period when his slapshot beat Columbia goaltender Josh Blackburn on the stick side to give the Express a 2-1 advantage.

Columbia tied the game at two just 2:28 into the third period on a Mike Romenski goal, but again, the Express battled back to the lead shortly after. Rick Kowalsky collected his team-leading 26th goal of the season at 3:58 of the period to put Roanoke back on top 3-2. The game remained at that score until the closing moments, when Dan Carlson slipped home his 19th goal of the year into Columbia's empty net with just 14 seconds remaining in the game. In addition to the goal scorers, Carl Mallette and Joe Dusbabek each picked up two assists in the contest.

Express goaltender David Belitski won his fourth straight game by stopping 30 of 32 Inferno shots. The win raised his record to 16-10-4. Blackburn suffered the loss for the inferno allowing three goals on 27 shots. The win for the Express was not only its third straight overall, but also their fifth straight at the Roanoke Civic Center.

UPCOMING GAMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2004 at CHARLOTTE 7:30 p.m.

Roanoke begins another very light week of action, playing just one game against the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night at Cricket Arena in Charlotte, NC. The game is the fifth of six between the two Southern Division rivals, and the third and final game between the two teams in Charlotte. Thus far on the season, the Express holds a 3-1-0 record vs. the Checkers. Roanoke has picked up home wins against Charlotte of 2-0 (Nov. 2) and 2-1 (Dec. 26), and collected a win at Cricket Arena on Feb. 15 by the score of 2-1. The Checkers' lone win of the season came on Feb. 7 at Cricket Arena, winning 3-0. One game remains between the two teams after this Saturday night, that comes on Apr. 2 at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Checkers enter this week with a record of 30-23-7 (67 pts., T-4th Southern Division) and are 12-12-5 at their home arena this season. The Express is 42-19-13 all-time vs. Charlotte.

NEWS & NOTES

Special Teams: The Express enters this week ranked 17th on the power play (16.7%) and ranked 12th on the penalty kill (83.4%).

Lots ‘O Shots: The Express currently ranks 29th in average shots allowed, surrendering 38.25 per game. Roanoke has allowed at least 45 shots in five of the last eight games, and has held its opponents to under 30 shots just twice in the last 28 games.

Happy To Be Home!: Since the Express completed its season-high 10-game road trip, during which they struggled to a 2-5-3 record, the Express has gone 6-3-0. In the seven home games during that span, Roanoke is 6-1-0 at the Roanoke Civic center, including having won its last five at the Roundhouse. Overall this season, the Express is 18-8-2 at the Roanoke Civic Center. The even better news for the Express....of their remaining 11 games, eight of them are on home ice.

Who's Hot: Defenseman Duncan Dalmao has points in seven of the last nine games (0g, 9a)...forward Carl Mallette has picked up points in nine straight games (6g, 9a) and in 11 of the first 12 games with Roanoke (7g, 10a)...forward Dan Carlson has notched points in nine of the last 11 games (6g, 6a)...forward Rick Kowalsky has scored points in nine of the last 11 games (6g, 6a)...goaltender Jason Wolfe is 3-2-0 in his last five starts with a 2.17 GAA, and .947 save percentage...goalie David Belitski is 4-0-0 in his last four starts with a 2.25 GAA and .935 save percentage.

League Leaders: Express captain Rick Kowalsky is 16th among ECHL scorers with 62 points (26g, 36a)...goaltender David Belitski is second among ECHL netminders is shootout save percentage with a .833 mark...forward Carl Mallette is T-3rd among rookie scorers with 58 points (21g, 37a) and is T-2nd among ECHL rookies with his 37 assists... defenseman Duncan Dalmao is seventh in scoring among ECHL defenseman with 46 points (6g, 40a), Dalmao is also 5th among defenseman with 22 power play assists, and 4th with 26 power play points.

Roster Changes: The Express saw their sixth player called-up to the American Hockey League following their game on Thursday night, when goaltender Jason Wolfe was called up to the Norfolk Admirals. Wolfe is 13-16-2 with a 3.47 GAA and a .913 save percentage this season with the Express. Wolfe joins David Belitski, Shawn Limpright, Dan Carlson, Tim O'Connell, and Joe Dusbabek as members of the Express that have been called-up to the AHL this season.

In The Division: Roanoke is 17-9-4 against its Southern Division opponents this season. 38 of their 64 points have come against divisional opponents.

How Is He Doing?: Shawn Limpright remains on call-up to the American Hockey League. Limpright has skated in 27 games with the Syracuse Crunch, picking up five goals and five assists, while collecting 48 penalty minutes, and holds a plus-9 rating.

Coach's Corner: The next Coach's Corner LIVE! progam will be held on Monday, March 8 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Village Grill in Roanoke. Fans can join Express broadcaster Kevin Reiter and Head Coach Tony MacAulay along with guest Joe Dusbabek live, or can tune in to the program live on 3WR.

UPCOMING PRACTICE AND GAME SCHEDULE

Monday, March 8 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Ice Station

Tuesday, March 9 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Ice Station

Wednesday, March 10 OFF

Thursday, March 11 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Ice Station

Friday, March 12 10:00 a.m. practice @ The Ice Station

Saturday, March 13 7:30 p.m. GAME vs. Charlotte @ Cricket Arena

Sunday, March 14 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 March 8, 2004


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