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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995                   TAG: 9510260079
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, KY.                                LENGTH: Medium

RIVERFROGS LEAP OVER EXPRESS 7-2

Derek Gauthier scored his first four goals of the season, three in the first period, as the expansion Louisville RiverFrogs defeated the Roanoke Express 7-2 at Broadbent Arena in an East Coast Hockey League game Wednesday.

Gauthier, who had been waived and then re-signed by the River Frogs last week, was the recipient of some unfortunate Express bounces, a scenario that has plagued the Express the entire season.

Express goaltender Mike Parson remains winless as a starting goaltender this season, with his only victory coming in a relief appearance. Parson allowed four goals on 15 shots in the first period before being pulled by head coach Frank Anzalone in favor of Matt DelGuidice.

The Express has allowed 20 goals in three road games this season and has allowed a league-leading 32 on the season.

Both of Roanoke's goals came on the power play, as Tim Hanley gave the Express to a 1-0 lead midway in the first on a soft, 35-foot wrister that surprised Louisville goalie Alain Morissette on the stick side. However, just 20 seconds later, Gauthier blew down the right wing and beat Parson, stick side, to tie the score.

For the fourth time this season, the Express allowed two goals in less than a minute, as Chris Rowland deflected a Gino Santerre power-play drive from the left point past Parson 52 seconds later. Louisville, which entered the game with the ECHL's worst power play at 3-for-50, finished the game with four man-advantage goals, plus a shorthanded goal late in the second period that put the game out of reach.

Roanoke's Dave Stewart scored a power-play goal early in the second, on a slap shot from the center point through heavy traffic in front of Morissette, to reduce the lead to 5-2. But Joe Suk's shorthanded conversion of a two-on-one after a failed hold in at the right point by Express winger Chris Potter doomed the Express.

Roanoke (3-3-0) travels to Huntington on Friday to take on the Blizzard. Louisville (4-3-0), had scored 11 goals in five games before Wednesday's seven-goal explosion.

ICE CHIPS: Defenseman Dave Stewart has signed a 25-game tryout with the Minnesota Moose, Roanoke's International Hockey League affiliate. Stewart will remain in Roanoke for the time being but may be called up during Minnesota's next 25 games. ... The Express added Michael Staachi to the roster after defenseman Trevor Dodman retired.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.

Keywords:
HOCKEY