Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Before an expected crowd between 5,000-6,000, the Express begins the 68-game regular-season grind against perennial ECHL powerhouse Hampton Roads. Opening faceoff is 7:30 p.m.
``I think everybody, including myself, is glad to get on with things,'' Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone said Monday.
``Training camp was really tough for everybody - the players, myself and Pierre [Paiement, general manager]. There's just so much to do in so little time. But now it's over and everybody feels good and positive about things, so let's roll.''
Anzalone made his final roster cuts Monday morning, waiving center Reggie Brezeault and wing Chuck Loreto, and placing defenseman Stephane Desjardins (sore ankle) on the club's 14-day injured-reserve list.
Of the three moves, the cutting of Brezeault was perhaps the most difficult for Anzalone. One of the few black players in the ECHL, Brezeault became a fan favorite last season for his aggressive style of play.
``I tried to swing some kind of deal for Reggie, but it's not in demand,'' Anzalone said. ``The fans might think he is, but you've got to go with the better players. Besides, we've got enough abrasiveness that we're fine.''
The Express roster appears to include most, if not all, of the necessary ingredients - speed, size, toughness and decent depth.
In last season's expansion season, Anzalone said he started the year knowing he would have to find six more players down the road to remain competitive. This time, that number could be as low as two or three, he said.
``I feel we're good enough to compete,'' Anzalone said. ``Time will dictate whether there's a couple of holes we need to fill. We just have to see now who can play and who can't. We might still be a little away yet. We'll know something for sure after five, six games.''
Anzalone confessed his biggest concern right now is scoring goals. The Express managed only five goals in dropping its final two preseason games, 4-2 and 4-3 to Charlotte and Raleigh, respectively.
``We're going to have to play harder,'' Anzalone said. ``I knew we were going to have a little trouble scoring early.
``It's going to depend on how fast [Robin] Bouchard grows into a role ... will Carl Fleury be able to get to the puck regularly? ... will Oleg Yashin return to the form that we'd all love to see?
``[Jeff] Jestadt can score. But I'm not in love with the two exhibition games that Jestadt and [Pat] Ferschweiler had. But I'm not worried about those guys. They'll get going, though.''
Anzalone said his line combinations aren't etched in stone yet. Best bets are that Ferschweiler will center for Jestadt and rugged right wing Jason Clarke. Player-assistant coach Derek Laxdal likely will skate with Russians Ilja Dubkov and Yashin on the second line, while Bouchard, Fleury and Marty Schriner will comprise line No. 3.
At the other end, Anzalone seems to feel more secure about a defense that will be led by All-Star Michael Smith and Dave Stewart, who has played in the International Hockey League. The 1-2 goaltending punch of veteran Dave Gagnon and San Jose Sharks farmhand Dan Ryder will anchor the defense.
Gagnon, signed only two weeks ago after being cut by Minnesota (IHL), gets the starting nod tonight.
``Based on camp, he's earned that spot,'' Anzalone said. ``As far as goaltending goes, I'm going to play it like I did last year. As long as you're playing well, it's your net.''
Gagnon said he's eager to get a shot at stopping Hampton Roads, the team he helped lead to the ECHL title in 1990-91.
``It's going to be fun playing against Broph,'' said Gagnon, referring to Admirals coach John Brophy.
``Right now, I'm licking my chops to play against anybody. I don't care who it is, Hampton Roads or anybody else.''
The Admirals, who won 7-2 in Wheeling on Sunday to finish 3-1 in the preseason, should give the Express a good indication of how it will stack up in the tough ECHL East Division.
Before the Admirals preseason camp started, a beaming Brophy boasted: "We've got the toughest damn team in the league and will finish on top [of the East] and there's nothing anyone can do about it. For the first time we're opening camp with three lines as good or better than anybody in the league.''
Gagnon said such statements are ``classic Brophy.''
``Broph has the best team he's ever had every year,'' Gagnon said, laughing. ``He says every year that he wants to kick everybody's else's butts. We'll see, won't we?''
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