Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a mid-November regular-season matchup that has generated a playoff atmosphere, the Express gets its first shot at the ECHL's new powerhouse before an expected crowd of 7,000-plus at the Roanoke Civic Center. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Something will have to give. Richmond is 11-0-2 - the best 13-game start in ECHL history; Roanoke (7-3-1) enters the game with a franchise-record seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1).
``I think right now they're the proven team in the league and it will be a good test for us,'' said Pat Ferschweiler, the Express' star center.
``Richmond is a powerhouse this year, but I happen to think we can hold our own against anyone. We'll stand there and give it our best shot.''
Frank Anzalone, Roanoke's coach, got his first look at Richmond on Tuesday night in Greensboro, N.C., where the Renegades dominated the Monarchs 5-2. Anzalone came away impressed.
``They've got every ingredient,'' he said. ``They're very quick, they're very fast. They're not big, but they're not small. They're not tough, but they're not afraid.
``They're just running right now and they're very tough to handle. They're deep at every position and they probably do deserve to be where they're at right now. Right now, they're the dominant team in the league and Roy [Sommer] looks very relaxed coaching them.''
Richmond, the only club in the East Division that failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, has turned it around with the financial commitment of new ownership.
``The new ownership has given me everything I've needed to put a strong club on the ice,'' Sommer said. ``We're not lacking for anything.''
With help from new general manager Craig Laughlin, a former National Hockey League player, and recruiting guru Chuck Imburgia, Sommer has put together a roster loaded with top young talent. No less than eight of the Renegades' 13 first-year pros played in the East-West College All-Star Game last season.
In addition, the club signed veteran center Scott Gruhl, the all-time leading goal-scorer in International Hockey League history. Gruhl, 35, has responded, registering a club-high 11 goals and 21 points.
``Gruhl is a dominant player in this league at 35 years old,'' Anzalone said. ``He makes moves that a lot of these kids haven't seen yet. He literally toys with everybody.''
The Renegades have toyed with the rest of the ECHL thus far, burning opponents with their speed and a vastly improved defense, anchored by rookie goaltender Grant Sjerven (8-0-1, 2.47 goals-against average).
``Still, I think we can play with them,'' Anzalone said. ``We'll find out, won't we?''
The Express should find out a lot the next eight days. Roanoke plays six games during the span, four against Richmond.
``I think over those four games we can make a statement on how the rest of the season is going to be,'' Ferschweiler said.
Defenseman Chris Potter added: ``It's a good four games for us that's going to tell us where we're going against what appears to be the best team in the league. If we can take these games, I think we'll be looking pretty good down the road.''
Richmond, 4-0-1 on the road, never has won at the Roanoke Civic Center. Sommer, who coached the Roanoke Valley Rebels in 1991-92, saw his club go 0-4 at the civic center last season.
``I don't think that's going to make much difference to this bunch,'' Anzalone said. ``I think they're the new Richmond Renegades and they're a powerful, confident team right now.''
ICE CHIPS: Roanoke averaged 6.75 goals per game in beating Richmond four times at home last season. The Express' offense hasn't come close to those numbers this season, averaging 3.09 goals per game, which ranks 16th in the 18-team ECHL. Conversely, Roanoke's 34 goals against is a league low. ... As of Thursday, some 4,300 tickets had been sold for tonight's game. ... The Express entertains Raleigh on Saturday before traveling to Richmond on Sunday. ... Manon Rheaume is back in the ECHL. The goalie, who in 1992 became the first woman to play professional hockey, has been picked up by the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks. Rheaume, who posted a 5-0-1 record in ECHL duty with Knoxville and Nashville last season, comes to Tallahassee from Las Vegas (IHL), where she appeared in two games this season. ... The civic center's shuttle bus service will be in operation for tonight's game and Saturday's game. Buses will begin running at 6:30 from the Williamson Road parking garage. The service is free, as is garage parking. The shuttles will resume from the civic enter immediately after the games.
Express vs. Richmond
7:30 p.m., Roanoke Civic Center. Tickets are $8.50, $7.50 and $6, $5 for senior citizens and students and $4 for children younger than 12.
by CNB