Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 4, 1995 TAG: 9501040090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Minnesota Moose has pulled the best goalie from the Roanoke Express.
Dave Gagnon, whose play has been one of the major reasons the Roanoke Express owns the best winning percentage in the East Coast Hockey League, was called up Tuesday by the Moose of the International Hockey League. He could return to Roanoke in two weeks, said Pierre Paiement, the Express' general manager.
``Minnesota has an injured goalie, and they need Dave for a couple of weeks,'' Paiement said from Charlotte, N.C., where the Express lost 3-2 to the Checkers in a shootout Tuesday night.
``Dave deserves this chance,'' Paiement said. ``He's given us some great goaltending.''
Considering the way Gagnon has played, a promotion was not surprising. A former draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings who has played in two NHL games, Gagnon is the second-ranked goalie in the ECHL.
The two-time ECHL playoff most valuable player is second in the league with a goals-against average of 2.79, and ranks third in victories (14), third in save percentage (.916), fourth in saves (694) and fifth in minutes (1,376).
Gagnon is scheduled to fly to Indianapolis today to join the Moose. He will replace Frank Pietrangelo, who had arthroscopic knee surgery.
It also is expected that Roanoke defenseman Michael Smith will join Minnesota this weekend for the last game of a three-game tryout contract he signed with the Moose. Smith, an ECHL All-Star last season, played in two games for Minnesota last week, getting an assist and compiling a plus-1 rating.
Gagnon's departure comes at a crucial time for the Express. Roanoke has a 19-7-5 record and a league-best .693 winning percentage. The Express is tied with Richmond for second in the ECHL East Division, one point behind Charlotte.
The Express has climbed in the standings despite taking a league-low 866 shots. Roanoke has been outshot 217-140 during its winning streak, yet has outscored the opposition 30-12. Gagnon and backup goalie Dan Ryder have picked up the slack by combining for a save percentage of .945 during the streak.
Roanoke secured IHL affiliations with Minnesota and the Kansas City Blades before this season. So far, both teams have called up Express players but have yet to send any players in return.
Three weeks ago, Kansas City signed Roanoke's leading scorer, Pat Ferschweiler, to a 25-game tryout contract. The Express still has not received a player in return, although Paiement said the Blades may send a center or forward as soon as today or tomorrow.
Roanoke's next order of business is to find a backup for Dan Ryder, who posted the first shutout of his career last week against the Checkers. Paiement said he would try to contact former pro John Bradley in hopes of signing him for Friday's game at Hampton Roads. Rocco Trentadue, who played one game for the Express this season when Dan Ryder was called up to Kansas City, also may be an option.
``It's tough to find players this time of year,'' Paiement said. ``Especially goalies.''
by CNB