Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 7, 1995 TAG: 9502070087
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lesson 1: Taking the college boards may be hard, but the pro boards are harder.
For the first two months of his pro career, Schriner, a forward for the Roanoke Express, was manhandled by bigger defensemen. At 5 feet 11, 185 pounds, Schriner was used as a human nail, regularly pounded into boards.
All he had to show for his troubles were a couple of assists and an omnipresent black eye - the ``Schriner shiner.'' The first surgical procedure of his professional career preceded his first goal. The first goal didn't come until Dec.16.
These days, Schriner is putting the hurt on the opposition. After scoring just two goals during the first three months of the season, Schriner has scored five goals in his past five games heading into tonight's game against Tallahassee. The Express tangles with the Tiger Sharks at 7 p.m. in the Roanoke Civic Center.
Schriner's production has improved for a couple of reasons. First, he has put the painful early-season lessons to use and is skating more confidently. Secondly, he has benefited from head coach Frank Anzalone's decision to switch him from left wing to center.
``Moving to center has helped me use my speed,'' said Schriner. ``It was a tough transition off the start, but you've got to make transitions if you want to play at this level. I was used to the college game, which is more wide open.''
Schriner learned early on that the pro game, too, can be wide open. As in one's head can be cracked wide open in short order.
Schriner received his first black eye during a fight in preseason training camp. Within the first month and a half of the season, he was involved in a fight with an opponent, punched in the back of the head by Greensboro's Dean Zayonce, and knocked face-first into the endboards by Raleigh's John Blessman.
That crash necessitated surgery to repair five fractures to the orbital bone around his left eye.
``It was an awakening,'' Schriner said. ``That was a quick baptism into the league.''
Now, he seems to have gotten the hang of things. He scored his first road goals of the season last weekend at Richmond and Charlotte.
``When Marty uses his speed, he's an effective player,'' said Anzalone. ``Early in the season, he couldn't find his way, he couldn't do what I wanted done. Marty Schriner can score. When he goes straight to the net and doesn't try to get cute with the puck. ...
``He's getting better all the time. He may be a better pro center than [he was as] a winger in college.''
At North Dakota, where he and Express defenseman Jon Larson were teammates for three years, Schriner scored 33 goals in four seasons for the Fighting Sioux, who have won five national titles. None, unfortunately, came while Schriner was there.
Surprisingly, he was known for his physical style of play.
``You can't [be as physical] in college because the rules are so different,'' said Schriner, a native of Port Huron, Mich. ``But I was pretty physical. That was one of my qualities.''
RETURN OF SMITH:All-star defenseman Michael Smith has been reassigned to the Express from the International Hockey League's Minnesota Moose and is expected to play tonight. Smith has been recalled by Minnesota six times this season, but team sources say he should be stationed in Roanoke for a while - or at least until the Moose sustain another injury to their defensemen.
Express vs. Tiger Sharks
7 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