Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502170029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: SPORTS EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Express has won just 12 times in 24 homes games this season. Only Raleigh, Tallahassee and Erie have won fewer home games.
In its past nine games in the Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke has won three times. The Express has lost five straight home shootouts, including 5-4 Tuesday to Greensboro.
``We really can't afford any losses at home,'' said left wing Jeff Jestadt. ``We've put ourselves in this position where we have to win [at home] at any cost.''
The Express, which plays its next three games at home beginning with tonight's meeting with Johnstown, has vaulted to second place in the ECHL's East Division on the strength of its 15 road victories. Roanoke's road record of 15-9-3 is second-best in the ECHL.
``I don't know if we play harder on the road or what,'' said Frank Anzalone, Roanoke's coach. ``Sometimes, the pressure can be tougher at home, when you know you're expected to win.''
Roanoke's home woes can't be tied to any lack of enthusiasm from the crowds. Attendance figures are ahead of last year's record pace and should continue to rise. Home is where the heart of the schedule is, as Roanoke plays 10 of its last 17 games in the civic center.
Currently, the average number of home victories in the ECHL is 15. If Roanoke had 15 home victories, the Express would have the third-highest points total in the league and would be only three points behind East Division-leading Richmond.
``We've got to focus on winning in our barn,'' said Derek Laxdal, Roanoke's player-assistant. ``You never want to lose at home, especially in front of a good crowd.''
PLAYER MOVES:The Express made a couple of roster moves this week, although no players actually moved. The transactions allowed Roanoke to stay under league roster limits.
On Sunday, the Express loaned Laxdal, who was nursing a bruised knee, to Minnesota of the International Hockey League.
Earlier this week, right wing Rouslan Toujikov was officially reassigned to Minnesota and Kansas City. Toujikov, who had been scratched in seven straight games and was rumored to be on the trading block this week, returned to the Express lineup Wednesday in Hampton Roads and scored the game-winning goal in a 4-2 victory.
Roanoke made room for Toujikov by placing Reggie Brezeault on the 14-day injured reserve list with a groin injury.
WORKING OVER-TIME:Goaltender Daniel Berthiaume is quickly making up for lost time. Berthiaume, who sat out most of the season awaiting the chance to play professionally again, has played 287 minutes, 24 seconds (out of a possible 310 minutes) since making his first start for Roanoke last Friday. Heading into tonight's game with Johnstown, Berthiaume has played in five straight games, including two overtimes and two shootouts. Berthiaume has stopped 143 of 155 shots for a save percentage of .923.
ICE CHIPS:Kelvin Bowles and Sam Lazzaro - the owner and general manager, respectively, of the Salem Avalanche Class A baseball club - made a guest appearance in the civic center press box Sunday before Roanoke's game with Wheeling. Bowles and Lazzaro were there to interview Wheeling play-by-play announcer Dave Goucher, a candidate for the Avalanche radio job. ... Former Roanoke star Lev Berdichevsky is back in the ECHL, albeit with the Toledo Storm. Berdichevsky was reassigned to Toledo from the American Hockey League's Adirondack Red Wings, the same team that borrowed Berdichevsky from the Express last season for a ``weekend look'' that lasted almost the entire season. ... Jason Clarke's league-leading 357 penalty minutes are a franchise record.
by CNB