Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502070032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The Express led 3-1 entering the third period, but squandered it for the third time in a month, something the franchise had never done in its first 53 occasions when leading at that point. The Renegades improved to 3-2-1 at home this season when trailing after two periods.
Craig Herr opened the scoring for Roanoke. On the Express' first shot on goal of the game, he snapped a behind-the-net feed from Jason Clarke behind Renegades goalie Duane Derksen at 6 minutes, 29 seconds of the first period.
Marty Schriner extended the lead on Roanoke's second shot of the game, at 13:16 of the opening period, by lifting a backhanded wraparound over Derksen's left glove. The Express, the lowest total shooting team in the ECHL, was outshot 16-3 in the first period but led 2-0.
Kurt Mallett broke through on Express goalie Dave Gagnon midway through the second period, tipping home a Blaine Moore power-play drive through heavy traffic at the 9:08 mark.
However, Herr quickly countered with a power-play goal of his own, swatting in a mid-flight puck after Tony Szabo's short-side drive was denied by Derksen.
All-Star Renegade winger Scott Gruhl ignited the final barrage with a wraparound shot 3:52 into the period to cut the lead to 3-2. Mike Taylor tied the game with just his third goal of the year on a goalmouth scramble. The Express argued with referee Chris Cozzan that the net came off its moorings.
Roanoke, which has won four of its past 14 games, fell to 23-14-7 on the season, while the Renegades (28-13-5) padded their first-place margin to eight games over the fourth-place Express.
Roanoke will conlcude a three game road trip tonight in Charlotte, N.C.
by CNB