Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 17, 1994 TAG: 9412190078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Richmond Renegades scored three goals during a second-period span of 3 minutes, 21 seconds, and got a hat trick from forward Jay Murphy to defeat the Express 5-3 at the Roanoke Civic Center.
It was the Express' first December regulation loss at home in the franchise's two seasons. Roanoke had been 8-0-1 in December home games.
Richmond's second three-goal second period in as many games at Roanoke angered Express coach Frank Anzalone. In the last meeting, an Express third-period rally resulted in a shootout loss.
``We didn't follow the system,'' Anzalone said of Friday's lapse. ``We became individualistic. For six minutes our guys gave up; we quit. And that was the turning point.''
Roanoke tried to rally in the third period again when Oleg Yashin scored his second goal of the game with 3:22 left in the final period, cutting Richmond's lead to 4-3.
But Murphy scored his third goal unassisted with nine seconds left after the Express pulled goaltender Dave Gagnon to try to send the game into overtime. Roanoke (13-7-4) now trails league-leading Richmond (17-5-5) by nine points in the Eastern Division.
Yashin gave the Express a 2-1 lead at 14:21 of the period with help from Richmond goalie Duane Derksen.
Derksen, who was signed earlier Friday to replace waived backup Vern Guetens, saved an Express shot but made a bad pass that one of his defenders was unable to control.
Yashin snared the puck in front of Derksen and made an easy, unassisted goal to give Roanoke the lead.
The lead lasted only 51 seconds as Richmond forward Jan Benda's ninth goal of the season tied the score. Chris Tucker and Chris Foy were credited with assists.
Murphy scored his second goal of the evening 85 seconds later with help from forward Andrew Shier and defender Sean O'Brien to give Richmond its first lead at 3-2.
Richmond's third goal of the period, the seventh of the season by forward Kurt Mallett after a pass from forward Scott Gruhl, extended the Renegade's lead to 4-2.
Anzalone said he did not know Derksen was going to be in the Richmond lineup until right before the game started. Derksen was waived by the Minnesota Moose, an Express affiliate in the IHL, on Thursday.
``It's Minnesota's choice,'' Anzalone said. ``The guy needed a place to play. It's kinda natural with him being from Wisconsin and Richmond having a lot of Wisconsin players. They [Richmond] haven't been getting a lot of good goaltending lately.''
Richmond was 0-4-1 in its past five games.
Roanoke struck first 90 seconds into the game when forward Marty Schriner scored his first goal of the season, unassisted.
Richmond tied the score at 1-1 at 17:49 of the first period on Murphy's 10th goal of the year. Daniel Chaput and Blaine Moore were credited with assists.
There were no penalties in the first period.
ICE CHIPS: Express defenseman Stephane Desjadins was activated from the 14-day injured reserve list on Friday ... The Express have scored on 11 of 29 power plays this season against Richmond in five games while allowing 13 man-advantage goals ... Former Express captain Dave ``Moose'' Morissette makes his promotional return to Roanoke for Tuesday's game against Charlotte and will bring 20 ``Morissette'' jerseys with him. Bids will be accepted through the second period, with the jerseys going to those with the 20 largest bids, based on size ... The Express have scored a power-play goal in every home contest this season ... Richmond lost its first home game in regulation against Hampton Roads on Sunday ... Richmond centers Scott Gruhl and Shane Henry have combined for 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in five games against Roanoke ... The Express will host Greensboro tonight at 7:30 at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Richmond 1-- 3-- 1-5
Roanoke 1--1--1-3
First period-1, Roanoke, Schriner 1 (unassisted), 1:30. 2, Richmond, Murphy 10 (Chaput, Moore), 17:49.
Penalties-None.
Second period-3, Roanoke, Yashin 12 (unassisted), 14:21. 4, Richmond, Benda 9 (Tucker, Foy), 15:12. 5, Richmond, Murphy 11 (Shier, O'Brien), 16:37. 6, Richmond, Mallett 7 (Gruhl), 17:32.
Penalties-MacDonald, Rich (holding), 2:32; Moore, Rich (holding stick), 6:54; Henry, Richmond (roughing), 14:41; Herr, Roa (holding), 14:41; Stewart.
Third period- 7, Roanoke, Yashin 13 (Potter), 16:38 (eng). 8, Richmond, Murphy 12 (unassisted), 19:51.
Penalties-Laxdal, Roa (high sticking), 2:57; Stewart, Roa (roughing), 8:27; Chaput, Rich (cross-checking), 12:23; Schriner, Roa (intentional), 17:08.
Shots on goal-Richmond 11-13-15-39. Roanoke 9-7-10-26.
Goalies-Richmond, Derksen, 0-0-0 (26 shots-23 saves). Roanoke, Gagnon, 10-4-4 (39 shots-34 saves).
Power-play opportunities-Richmond 0 of 3; Roanoke 0 of 3.
Referee-John Murphy. Linesmen-Randy Brawley, Shawn Carlson.
A-4,683.
by CNB