Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411260017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``Before this season is over it's all going to get out of hand,'' said Roy Sommer, coach of the Richmond Renegades. ``Things are really going to be heated up.''
With teams rarely venturing out of their division, rivals are seeing each other much more often than in past seasons. That spells trouble, the coaches say.
``The schedule this season is ludicrous,'' said coach Frank Anzalone, whose Roanoke Express meets Richmond for the third time in seven days at 6 p.m. today at the Roanoke Civic Center. ``Before it's over it's going to get somebody fired. I guarantee it.''
Fifty-three of the Express' 68 regular-season games are against the other five clubs in the East Division.
``I hate it,'' Anzalone said. ``I would think the fans would like to see the other teams in the league at least once. Toledo is a two-time defending Riley Cup champion, but if you're in Roanoke, you don't get to see 'em. That's not right.''
This season's schedule was approved by the ECHL owners, who were looking to reduce travel expenses and create more intradivision rivalries.
In previous seasons, each club played every team in the league at least twice and still had as many as 10 games against close geographic rivals. Roanoke doesn't play any games this season against the ECHL's North Division.
Express management voted for the new schedule, but after taking a second look, general manager Pierre Paiement said he wouldn't do it again.
``I think you're going to see the league go back to the old schedule format next season,'' Paiement said. ``I don't know of anybody that likes this setup. We made a mistake and now we know it.''
TONIGHT'S GAME: The Renegades will attempt to stretch their ECHL-record streak without a regulation loss to 17 games. At 13-0-3, Richmond is the only team left in minor-league hockey without a regulation defeat.
Roanoke (8-4-3), which split a pair of shootout decisions with Richmond last weekend, saw its franchise-record 10-game streak without a regulation loss snapped in a 3-1 defeat at Charlotte on Tuesday.
The two rivals meet again Friday night in Richmond for their fourth game in eight days.
EXPRESSIONS: Express rookie forward Marty Schriner underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a fractured left eye socket. Schriner suffered the injury Nov.4, when he was cross-checked into the boards by Raleigh defenseman John Blessman. Schriner said doctors will insert two small metal plates to stabilize the orbital bone. ... Roanoke's 44 goals scored ranks last in the 18-team ECHL. The Express has given up 47 goals, which ties it with North Division-leading Dayton for the league low.
ICE CHIPS: Manon Rheaume was scheduled to make her first start in goal for Tallahassee on Wednesday night against Huntington. Rheaume, under contract to the IHL's Las Vegas Thunder, is expected to stay with the Tigers Sharks for two weeks. ... Longtime Greensboro Monarchs assistant coach John Torchetti has been hired as head coach of the San Antonio Iguanas of the Central Hockey League. Torchetti played one season in Roanoke in the mid-1980s. ... Greensboro has traded center Darryl Noren to Charlotte for right wing Howie Rosenblatt. The Monarchs also have acquired left wing Rival Fullum and defenseman Chad Seibel from Toledo in exchange for center B.J. MacPherson.
Express vs. Richmond 6 p.m., today, 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