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

DATE: FRIDAY, December 2, 1994                   TAG: 9412020055
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CALL-UP COSTS EXPRESS A GOALIE

Roanoke Express backup goaltender Dan Ryder was called up on Thursday by the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League, but his absence may be short.

Ryder, 3-2 in six games with the Express this season, replaces Blades' goaltender Larry Dyck, who has a broken toe. Ryder is expected to return to Roanoke when Dyck recovers in one to two weeks, Express coach Frank Anzalone said.

``It's not going to affect us for the moment,'' Anzalone said of Ryder's call-up. Starter Dave Gagnon will be in goal tonight for the Express against the Raleigh IceCaps at the Roanoke Civic Center.

``Dave Gagnon can handle both games this weekend and next weekend as well,'' Anzalone said.

Meanwhile, the Express on Thursday signed goalie Rocco Trentadue, who was in Roanoke's training camp last season. Trentadue recently was released by the Central Hockey League's Dallas Freeze after going 2-3 with a 4.66 goals against average in seven games this season.

``He's a capable guy in case something happens with Gagnon,'' Anzalone said.

Also on Thursday, the Express announced that the Columbus Chill have sent right winger Darwin McClelland to Roanoke to complete a trade made Tuesday that sent forwards Andrew Dickson and Robin Bouchard to Columbus. But the announcement surprised Anzalone.

``I don't know why they released that,'' Anzalone said. ``There's no guarantee he's coming yet. He [McClelland] was shocked by the trade and he might not come. But he is the guy we want.''

Anzalone said he expected to know McClelland's status within a day. If McClelland retires, Columbus must send another player to Roanoke.

Roanoke is looking to continue an impressive week that has featured a 6-5 overtime win at home over Charlotte on Tuesday and a 3-0 victory at Hampton Roads on Wednesday. It was the first time Hampton Roads had ever been shut out at home.

``I don't believe in rolls,'' Azalone said. ``We deserved to win that game [at Scope in Norfolk]. We need to continue to learn to play better at home. There's a balance, now, in the league.''

by CNB