by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SATURDAY, February 15, 1992 TAG: 9202150260 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: From Landmark News Service and staff reports DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
REBELS FALL AGAIN ON THE ECHL ROAD
The Roanoke Valley Rebels lost another East Coast Hockey League road game Friday night, but at least this time, they got something to show for their effort.The Rebels pushed the Eastern Division-leading Greensboro Monarchs to the limit before losing 3-2 in a game decided by shootout in overtime.
So, despite losing, the Rebels picked up one point in the standings. More importantly, though, they picked up some much-needed confidence when it comes to playing on the road.
"We proved to ourselves we can beat that club," Rebels coach Roy Sommer said of the Monarchs, who, if the season ended today, would be Roanoke Valley's first-round playoff opponent.
"We should have beaten them tonight," Sommer said. "With about 2 1/2 minutes left, Peter Kasowski had a breakaway, hit Mark Woolf with a good pass, but their goaltender [Mark Menges] just made an unbelievable stop."
After a scoreless five-minute overtime period, the teams lined up for the shootout, which sends five players from each team one-on-one against the opposing goaltender. Greensboro beat goalie Mike James twice, while the Rebels put the puck past Menges only once to provide the difference.
The overtime loss marked only the second time in their past 17 road games that the Rebels have recorded a point. Entering Friday, Roanoke Valley had lost 15 of its last 16 games on the road.
\ ICE CHIPS: The loss ended a two-game Roanoke winning streak. The Rebs are 1-3-1 against Greensboro. . . . The Rebels return to the Vinton LancerLot tonight, where they play host to Knoxville. The Cherokees are trying to overhaul the sixth-place Rebels for the final playoff berth in the East. Roanoke Valley, 14-8-1 at home, has won nine of its past 11 games at the LancerLot. . . . A sidelight to Knoxville's visit tonight will be the return of forward Brian Bellefeuille. Disgruntled, Bellefeuille was dealt by Roanoke Valley to the Louisville IceHawks three weeks ago, then was traded again two days ago by Louisville to Knoxville. . . . The Hampton Roads Admirals visit the LancerLot on Sunday at 6 p.m. \
see microfilm for box score