Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 2, 1995                   TAG: 9503150010
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                 LENGTH: Medium

ADMIRALS EDGE EXPRESS

Wednesday night, Kowalsky showed why the Admirals' braintrust churned up so much stomach acid.

After being diagnosed with strep throat, an inflamed spleen and a possible bout with mononucleosis Saturday morning, Kowalsky made a surprise return return Wednesday and scored a pair of third-period goals to give the Admirals a 3-2 victory over the Roanoke Express in the East Coast Hockey League.

The triumph, the fourth in a row over Roanoke, broke a four-game non-winning streak and kept the Admirals (26-13-4) in firm control of third place in the ECHL's East Division with 56 points. Roanoke (23-13-7), which would have moved ahead of the Admirals with a victory, remains fourth with 53.

Kowalsky had the game-winning goal - and a game-ending fight. Roanoke's Jon Larson, with whom Kowalsky had traded words, slashes and hacks for much of the game, skated to the Admirals' end of the ice and twice punched Kowalsky seconds after the game ended. Kowalsky then dropped his gloves and they proceeded to slug it out. Though obviously fatigued, Kowalsky appeared to win the fight, in addition to the game.

ICE CHIPS:The Express could see an influx of players by the weekend games in Richmond and Charlotte, N.C. ECHL All-Star defenseman Michael Smith may be re-assigned to Roanoke by the International Hockey League's Minnesota Moose as soon as Friday. Jeff Jestadt, who has been on the injured reserve list with a broken cheekbone, is ready to return to the lineup. The Kansas City Blades are expected to send forward Alexei Yegorov, a 19-year old Russian, to Roanoke this week.