Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502280042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Landmark News Service
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
The Monarchs beat the Express at its own game by winning the first period, and Peter Skudra turned in a solid performance in goal to help the Monarchs build a 4-0 lead. Roanoke showed signs of life late in the third period, but the Express' three-goal rally came too late to keep Greensboro from stretching its home winning streak to six games.
``Greensboro played a very good game,`` said Frank Anzalone, the Express' coach. ``Give them credit. They came out of the chute pretty good and got us early. We had chances to come back in the game and didn't.``
Greensboro scored consistently to keep the Express at bay. Jeff Gabriel gave the Monarchs a 1-0 lead 2 minutes, 18 seconds into the game, and the Monarchs went on to score two goals in each period. Skudra was peppered with shots, yet shut out Roanoke's shooters until Greensboro was comfortably ahead.
The line of Slava Polikarkin, Brandon Coates and Phil Berger provided the offensive spark for the Monarchs, scoring goals in each period. Coates led the way with two goals and an assist, and Polikarkin contributed one goal and two assists.
``That line is starting to click,'' said Jeff Brubaker, Greensboro's coach. ``[Friday night] it was the line of Jeff Gabriel, Hugo Proulx and Francois Leroux that did all the damage. Tonight it was Polikarkin's line. You don't know which line is going to eat you up.''
The victory improved the Monarchs' record to 26-24-7 and pushed the team two games over the .500 mark for the first time since Dec.16. Greensboro has posted an 8-3-3 record in its past 14 games.
The Express is 31-16-9 heading into Tuesday's home game against Richmond.
``It's just adding a few mph to that train rolling down the track,'' said Brubaker.
by CNB