
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995                   TAG: 9502140057
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

EXPRESS SHOOTS DOWN CHECKERS

The Roanoke Express' trade of leading-scorer Oleg Yashin to Charlotte for forward Joe Hawley was to have been the marquee matchup in the first game for both clubs after the deal. Instead, it turned out to be the Daniel Berthiaume show.

Playing his first game in goal for Roanoke, Berthiaume stopped 41 of 42 Charlotte shots, in addition to all four in an overtime shootout as the Roanoke Express defeated the Charlotte Checkers 2-1 in an East Coast Hockey League game at Independence Arena.

Hawley broke open a scoreless, third-period tie by tapping home a Craig Herr two-on-one feed behind Charlotte goaltender Jon Hillebrandt at 1 minute, 35 seconds of the period.

The Checkers tied the score less than three minutes later, as Darryl Noren held in a clearing attempt at the left point, and his 50-foot slap shot was deflected past Berthiaume by Daniel Ruoho at 4:42.

Tony Szabo, credited with the game-winning goal, and Craig Herr each scored for the Express (25-14-8) in the shootout. Roanoke improved to 5-0-7 in shootouts this season and broke a four-game shootout losing streak.

The Checkers (26-15-8) fell for the third consecutive time at home to Roanoke and for the seventh time in 10 meetings this season.

ICE CHIPS: Forward Rouslan Toujikov was scratched from the Express lineup. ... The Express continues a three-game weekend at home against Erie at 7:30 p.m. today and against Wheeling at home at 3 p.m. Sunday. ... Hawley will wear No.9 for the Express, and Berthiaume takes over the No.1 formerly worn by Dave Gagnon. ... Yashin received his old No. 20 with the Checkers.

by CNB