Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410250043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After the ill-running Express was stopped in an embarrassing 5-1 loss to Raleigh, Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone put the torch to some of his players.
``It was a disgraceful effort,'' Anzalone said. ``If things don't get better, there's going to be some changes around here.
``The same seven, eight guys that didn't play last night [in a 5-4 home loss to Greensboro] didn't play tonight. People just aren't showing up. They're just not here ... I don't know what their problem is. Maybe we don't pay 'em enough ... maybe we've got to wash their underwear or something.''
The IceCaps (1-2) certainly cleaned Roanoke's clock. To lose in front of 5,639 witnesses is one thing. To get embarrassed is another, Anzalone said.
The Express was awful for two periods, and by the time it finally made it to the station, it was way too late.
``I tip my hat to [defenseman] Michael Smith, [center] Pat Ferschweiler and [defenseman] Dave Stewart,'' Anzalone said. ``The guys who logged all the time were unbelievable. But we had seven playing and nine watching, and that's [expletive].
``Raleigh did a great job, but not enough. We had guys with their hands so high on their sticks not wanting to bury a puck it was sickening. We got outplayed at every position except for five, six guys.
``We've got guys taking stupid penalties that no coach told 'em to take. And Raleigh laughed at us tonight. The Raleigh players laughed at us. Well, they're 8-0 against us and we deserve to be laughed at.
``Yes, it's serious for the moment. Some people should have a little more pride when they come to the rink other than the way they dress.''
The IceCaps didn't waste any time undressing the Express, scoring their first goal 5 minutes, 15 seconds into the game, when Alex Chuchukov ripped a 25-foot drive from the right faceoff circle that nicked Stewart's stick and scooted between goalie Dan Ryder's legs.
After Roanoke tied it on Jeff Jestadt's goal at the 8:08 mark, Raleigh countered 3:53 later. Jimmy Powers won a draw in the Express' end and defenseman Rodrigo Lavinsh blistered an ice-hugging 40-foot blast that that caught the bottom of Ryder's stick and deposited in the net.
Other than Jestadt's goal and Stewart's pounding of a Meany - Raleigh forward Spencer Meany - in a fight, the IceCaps owned the period, outshooting the Express 16-5.
Roanoke's frustration grew in the second period. The Express squandered three power-play chances, mustering only one shot on net on two of the man-advantage situations.
Raleigh got the only goal of the period. It was another cheapie as the IceCaps' Lenny Perriera jammed home a loose puck that Stewart couldn't clear and Ryder couldn't find.
Trailing 3-1, Roanoke still had a chance when it went to work on a five-on-three advantage midway through the third period. Smith scored at the 10:28 mark, but the goal was disallowed by referee Rich Silva, who ruled Roanoke's Jason Clarke was in the crease when the puck found the net.
``Any momentum we had on the goal when Clarke was in the crease was killed,'' Anzalone said.
Raleigh put the game on ice with two goals in the final 64 seconds, one an empty-netter.
``We can't blame this on the officiating,'' Stewart said. ``We had some guys who didn't come to play. Frank yelled at us pretty good, but let's face it, we deserved it.''
ICE CHIPS: The victory was Raleigh's eighth in a row over Roanoke going to last season. The IceCaps are 5-0 in Roanoke during the regular season. ... Defenseman Jon Larson, who strained his left knee in a fight Friday, sat out for Roanoke. Russian rookie Ruslam Tyzhikov replaced Larson in the lineup but only saw limited duty. ... The Express drew 15,812 fans for its first three home games (5,271 average). It marks the first time the franchise's average attendance ever has topped the 5,000 plateau. ... The Express climbs the bus for the first time this week, playing in Huntington (Thursday and Friday) before traveling to Knoxville on Oct.29. Roanoke's next home game is Nov.1 vs. Charlotte.
Keywords:
HOCKEY
by CNB