Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 13, 1994 TAG: 9404130054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Bialowas, the primary enforcer for the 1991-92 Roanoke Valley Rebels, was called up on March 22 by the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs from St. John's (Newfoundland) of the American Hockey League.
The rugged 24-year-old defenseman didn't waste any time introducing himself to the NHL, dropping the gloves with Quebec Nordiques hitman Tony Twist in his big-league debut on March 26. The Bialowas-Twist bout was such an energetic exchange that it was featured on ESPN's "SportsCenter" NHL highlights.
Before being recalled, Bialowas was leading the AHL in penalty minutes with 352 in 69 games with St. John's. The 6-foot, 220-pound defenseman had two goals and eight assists with the AHL's regular-season champion.
In four games with Toronto, Bialowas has 12 penalty minutes. He has taken only one shot and failed to record a point.
Toronto spokesman Pat Park said Bialowas was called up to replace injured Ken Baumgartner, the Maple Leafs' top on-ice peacemaker with 185 penalty minutes in 64 games. Park wouldn't speculate as to whether Bialowas would remain with the NHL club for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bialowas, whose iron fists and teeth-rattling checks made him an instant hit with Roanoke fans, played with Richmond of the ECHL in 1992-93 before being promoted to St. John's late in the season.
Bialowas is the fourth player from Roanoke's various ECHL entries to ever make the big show. Forward Chris Lindberg (Quebec) and goalie John Blue (Boston) are still in the NHL. Goalie Steve McKichan played briefly for Vancouver in 1990-91. Forward Mario Roberge, who played for the Atlantic Coast Hockey League champion Virginia Lancers in 1986-87, is still with Montreal.
Two players - forward Dan Dorion and defenseman Stephen Tepper - each played briefly in the NHL before joining the Roanoke Express this past season.
\ RICHMOND RUMBLINGS: The status of the Richmond Renegades remains in limbo as speculation runs rampant around the ECHL that owner Dave Elmore is considering relocation of the franchise.
First-year Renegades general manager Rich McArdle has been told by owner Dave Elmore that his contract won't be renewed when it runs out in June.
In the meantime, the Renegades' office operations are at a virtual standstill as all season-ticket renewal notices and corporate sponsorship packages have been put on hold, McArdle said.
Elmore, who bought the franchise from Allan Harvie last summer, is unhappy with the club's lease with the Richmond Coliseum - considered to be the worst such deal in the 19-team ECHL. Lack of practice ice at the coliseum and dwindling attendance numbers also have forced Elmore to ponder a move of the club.
\ STORM BREWING: As originally forecast, Toledo is tracking its second consecutive Jack Riley Cup title. After slipping past stubborn Dayton in the first round, Coach Chris McSorley's Storm has yet to have a close call, belting Columbus 7-2, 8-3 and 6-4 in the second round and Wheeling 5-1 and 6-2 in the first two games of the semifinals.
Toledo's playoff run has been fueled by goaltender Dave Gagnon, who has stopped 267 of 289 shots (.924 save percentage) en route to a 2.57 goals-against average and 7-1 record. Gagnon, under NHL contract with Detroit, knows the path to the Riley Cup, going 10-1 while leading Hampton Roads to the ECHL title in 1990-91.
In the other best-of-five playoff semifinal, Raleigh and Birmingham entered Tuesday's Game 3 in Raleigh tied 1-1.
The Bulls, who have been sparked by goalie Sandy Galuppo in the playoffs (5-1 record, 1.84 GAA), lost home-ice edge in the series when they dropped Game 1 in Birmingham last Saturday.
\ SHARKS START BITING: The NHL's San Jose Sharks didn't send a lot of help to Roanoke this season, but they did help themselves.
The Sharks, the NHL's laughingstock in 1992-93 when they lost a record 71 games, have turned it around under first-year coach Kevin Constantine. Entering its regular-season finale tonight against Edmonton, San Jose is 33-35-15 and qualified for the NHL playoffs for the first time in the franchise's three-year history.
The Sharks' 81 points marks a 57-point improvement over last season - the biggest advance from one season to the next by any club in NHL history. Quebec, which improved 52 points from 1991-92 to '92-93, had owned the record.
by CNB