Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 11, 1991 TAG: 9103110219
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In reality, the Rebels were done Saturday night after they lost to Richmond and were eliminated from from the ECHL playoff race.
Sunday night at the LancerLot, Roanoke Valley didn't have much to play for but showed up anyway.
On the verge of being blown out, the Rebels fought back to make a game of it before falling to the Erie Panthers 7-4 in their home finale.
The Panthers (30-30-3) led 6-2 in the opening minute of the third period before Roanoke Valley (25-31-7) scored two goals to close to 6-4, with more than 13 minutes left in the game.
But the Rebels could get no closer. Erie's Greg Spenrath closed the door on Roanoke Valley with a goal at the 18:19 mark.
"I was glad we just didn't quit," Rebels coach Claude Noel said. "Down 3-0 in the first period, you wonder if you will see 10-0 or 10-1 loss. I was happy to see the guys had enough pride to fight back and make game of it. We don't have any quitters on this team."
With the victory, Erie now has 63 points, which is one more than both Richmond and Nashville. The regular season concludes Tuesday with four teams in the hunt for three remaining playoff spots.
The Panthers jumped on the Rebels early.
Four minutes into the game, E.J. Sauer took a pass from Shane McFarlane and whipped a slapshot from the point by Roanoke Valley goalie Michael Mudd.
It was the first of five goals Mudd would give up, including three in the first period.
The Rebels, who were limited to 13 players because of injuries and suspensions, couldn't contain the quick skating Panthers early.
Real Godin and Doug Stromback also scored first period goals for Erie.
Greg Neish got Roanoke on the scoreboard with a goal at 5:45 of the second period, but Erie scored two in return.
Down 6-2 in the third period, Ron Jones and Brian Bellefeuille scored within in a minute of each to get the Rebels to 6-4.
"The biggest thing was having just 13 players dressed," said Noel.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB