Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993 TAG: 9312120171
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a rapid-fire barrage unbecoming of an expansion club, the Roanoke Express scored four goals in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the second period and beat the Admirals 5-3 before a rocking crowd of 4,181.
The victory put a dent in Hampton Roads' hex over Roanoke's ECHL entries. Including two victories earlier this season, coach John Brophy's club was 22-1-3 vs. Roanoke teams since 1990 entering Saturday night's game.
Brophy and the Admirals learned that you can't have fun in Roanoke every trip.
"Roanoke just whipped us," Brophy said. "They deserved to win. We didn't show up in the second period and they buried us. It's pretty simple, really."
Leading 2-1 after one period, Hampton Roads was shocked by a suddenly charged Roanoke power play. The Express' decisive four-goal assault included three power-play scores - two by Russian Lev Berdichevsky, who had his second hat trick of the season - and was capped by a short-handed goal by Jeff Jestadt.
Roanoke, which went 0-for-29 on the power play in a recent 6 1/2-game stretch, finished 3-for-5 with the manpower advantage.
"What a huge win for this club," said Express captain Dave "Moose" Morissette, who played in Hampton Roads before this season.
"We read in the paper where Brophy said this was going to be an easy game. Well, we wanted to show 'em that Roanoke is not a last-place club and that we can play with them."
Mission accomplished.
Berdichevsky, who scored the Express' first-period goal on a deflection of Chris Potter's flip shot from the blue line, triggered Roanoke's big second period, ripping a 15-footer from the right wing past Hampton Roads goalie Mark Michaud at the 19-second mark to tie it at 2.
Morissette then stung his old teammates, taking the rebound of Roger Larche's rush off Michaud's pads and scoring at 2:41.
Just 1:25 later, Berdichevsky struck for Roanoke's third power-play goal in 3:47, beating Michaud with a one-timer from the slot.
Jestadt capped the flurry 1:31 later, taking a pass from Pat Ferschweiler and beating Michaud with a 45-footer.
"We just went out, worked hard and and it bought us some breaks,"' said Frank Anzalone, the Express' coach.
Hampton Roads made it 5-3 on Richie Walcott's power-play goal at 15:37, set up by a five-minute high-sticking major penalty on Potter.
The Express continued to send its message in the final period, going toe-to-toe with Brophy's rugged troops. Morissette and Gairin Smith dropped the gloves simultaneously with Shawn Snesar and Walcott. Roanoke didn't lose there, either.
"I think we showed what we're made of," Morissette said. "I've got some help now and this team won't back down from anybody."
The Admirals (14-7-1) skated without two of their top guns, Victor Gervais and Andrew Brunette. Both players were recalled by Portland of the American Hockey League after the Admirals' 3-2 victory over Raleigh on Friday night.
Gervais, touted by many to be the ECHL's best player, led Hampton Roads in scoring with 17 goals and 32 assists in 21 games. Brunette was no slouch, either, accumulating four goals and six assists in seven games with the Admirals.
Brophy refused to use their absence as an excuse.
"Hey, we can't win on the road anymore," he said. "We used to be able to, but we can't anymore."
The victory was a franchise-record third in a row for Roanoke (10-11).
"It's a good start to a tough month," Anzalone said. "Hopefully, we can keep this going."
by CNB