Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 6, 1992 TAG: 9201060136
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: COLUMBUS, OHIO LENGTH: Medium
CHILL HANDS REBELS 6TH STRAIGHT LOSS
The numbers tell the gruesome story.Six games. Six losses. 23 goals for. 47 goals against.
The Roanoke Valley Rebels wrapped up a six-game road stretch Sunday with a 7-4 loss to the Columbus Chill in an East Coast Hockey League game.
The loss was the Rebels' sixth straight, their longest streak of the season, and dropped them to 3-11-2 on the road. The last time they won in an opponent's arena was Dec. 6 at Raleigh.
While the Rebels didn't exactly send goaltenders scurrying for cover, they averaged almost four goals per game on the trip. But what had coach Roy Sommer shaking his head was the team's porous defense and seeming lack of desire.
The Rebels allowed almost eight goals per game on the trip, including 29 the past three games.
"We're playing one-and-one, and on defense we're not hitting anyone," Sommer said. "It's a shame to see the way we were playing before and the way we're playing now.
"We were down 4-1 right off the bat in the first period, then we're in the ball game at 5-3 and give up another [cheap] goal. We've got guys who can't concentrate more than five minutes."
Don Granato scored twice in the first seven minutes, and Jim Ballantine added a goal at 8:26 of the first period before the Rebels made it 3-1 on Mark Woolf's goal. Alain Deeks then scored at 14:31 for a 4-1 lead.
Roanoke Valley scored twice in the second period (Brett Stewart at 4:02 and Graham Garden at 10:21), but Columbus answered each time. Ballantine scored at 7:00 and Kevin Alexander at 14:02.
After a Kurt Semandel goal at 9:01 of the third made it 7-3, Bellefeuille tacked on a meaningless goal for the Rebels at 19:34.
The streak has put the Rebels (11-17-3, 25 points) in danger of falling into last place in the Eastern Division. Raleigh (11-21-2, 24) is one point behind and invades the Vinton LancerLot for the Rebels' next game Friday night.
"We have a few guys who have thrown in the towel, just collecting a paycheck," Sommer said. "A couple of guys are out there playing night in and night out for me, but I don't see a whole lot positive.
"We have some major work to do before we can be ready to go Friday."
\ ICE CHIPS: Things won't get any easier for the Rebels. After the home game Friday, they hit the road again for four straight games, including two against league powers Toledo and Hampton Roads. . . . Injuries have decimated the Rebels, also. On the sideline are Devin Derksen (broken hand), Wayne Muir (broken arm), Ron Jones (hand, foot), goaltender Mike James (hip flexor) and Bill Harrington (dislocated shoulder). "Anyone I can find that can play a little hockey, I'll be on the phone Monday," Sommer said. \
see microfilm for box score