Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 10, 1995 TAG: 9510100061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
An undefeated preseason may mean little in the scope of a 70-game East Coast Hockey League schedule, but it may portend things to come for the Roanoke Express.
At 7 p.m. today at the Roanoke Civic Center, the highly touted Express will try to go 3-for-3 in its preseason schedule when it takes on Hampton Roads in its final exhibition game.
Roanoke is coming off impressive weekend showings at a pair of the ECHL's toughest venues. The Express clobbered Hampton Roads 7-3 at the Norfolk Scope on Friday and followed that by beating the Charlotte Checkers 3-1 at Independence Arena. Those are two of the teams the Express is expected to battle for the East Division title.
Craig Herr has three goals and rookie forward Brian Gallentine has netted two for the Express. The speed and size of some first-year players has made an impression on head coach Frank Anzalone, who has watched his team score six power-play goals.
``Most of the weekend, the players were executing as well as anyone ever has in Roanoke,'' Anzalone said. ``The quickness, the speed looked very good. If we missed a shot on the power play, guys quickly got the puck back.
``Based on talent level, I'd say we're a little above average. But this is a tough league. There are a lot of teams with talent.''
In addition to seeing the Express play for the first time on its home ice, Roanoke fans will get a look at how officials are enforcing the rules aimed at curbing interference and obstruction.
The more strict enforcement appeared to help the Express in its first game, as Roanoke had 17 power-play opportunities and scored five goals with the manpower advantage. However, the Express was 1-for-5 on power plays against the Checkers. Conversely, Roanoke stopped the Checkers on every one of their 13 power plays.
Goalies Mike Parson and Matt DelGuidice have looked sharp. Parson saved all 14 shots he saw at Hampton Roads, and DelGuidice made 24 saves against Charlotte without giving up a goal.
``Matt DelGuidice made some pivotal saves'' against Charlotte, Anzalone said. ``I think Charlotte had 51/2 minutes straight of five-on-three and we stopped them.''
Tickets for tonight's game are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. All seats are reserved.
FIRST CUTS: Anzalone made his first roster moves of training camp Sunday when he released goalie Scott Barber, defenseman Colin Anders and forwards Andrew Sherman and Brett Dunleavy.
Those cuts trimmed the roster to 22 players. ECHL teams are allowed to carry 20 this season, but Anzalone has hinted he may not carry that many.
``We'll get down to 20 in the next couple of days and we'll see what happens from there,'' the Express coach said.
Barber played well in training camp and was credited with the victory in the Checkers game, but with Parson and DelGuidice on the roster, he was out of the picture. If either Parson or DelGuidice is called up to the International or American hockey league during the season, don't be surprised if the Express sends out a call to Barber.
ICE CHIPS: Larry Kish, the Wheeling Thunderbirds' vice president and general manager, has named himself head coach, replacing Doug Sauter, who resigned during the off-season. The Thunderbirds signed former NHL center Ron Wilson as a player-assistant coach. ... Goalie Manon Rheaume, who three years ago became the first female to play professional hockey, is with the Checkers and was in goal against the Express during the third period Saturday.
by CNB