ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9601020027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Express Notes
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
It's not every night when a hockey team tries to reverse a losing trend by scratching its all-time leading scorer from the lineup.
That's what Roanoke Express coach Frank Anzalone did Wednesday, when he told Jeff Jestadt he would not be suiting up to play against the Raleigh IceCaps. Jestadt, the leading scorer in the franchise's three-year history, had to watch the game from the press box, high above the Roanoke Civic Center ice.
The far end of the press box is where Express players congregate when they're not playing. One press-box wag has nicknamed it ``the dog pound,'' because some players who sit there are said to be in Anzalone's doghouse. Jestadt may have been sent there because he has scored only two goals in the past three weeks.
Anzalone is not afraid to bench a player who he thinks is not producing. Usually, one night in the press box is enough to snap a player out of a funk.
Veteran wingman Jeff Jablonski was in a serious scoring drought when Anzalone scratched him from the lineup last month. Shortly after that, the two had a closed-door meeting, and Jablonski embarked on an eight-game goal-scoring streak.
The benching of Jestadt was surprising, but Anzalone wouldn't say it was intended as a wake-up call.
``You'd have to ask Jeff that,'' Anzalone said. ``Jeff Jestadt knows me as well as anyone, and he knows what's expected. Jeff is not playing at the level I expect him to play at. He seems to be playing at a level that's comfortable to him. He knows I expect more from him.''
From his perch, Jestadt watched Roanoke beat Raleigh 7-6 in a shootout for its second win in seven games.
Just before being scratched, Jestadt acknowledged he had not been playing up to his expectations.
``I guess the team hasn't been playing well, but I especially haven't been,'' he said. ``I know I can play better. I've got to.''
BROPHY BREWING: A week ago, a Roanoke fan poured a cup of beer on the head of Hampton Roads coach John Brophy as he left the ice following his team's 9-4 loss to the Express. Brophy's humor wasn't dampened, and more fun could be on tap tonight when Hampton Roads comes to the civic center for a 7:30 game.
The fan was immediately handcuffed by a Roanoke policeman, but Brophy told the officer to let him go.
``Roanoke needs all the fans it can get,'' he said.
He also took a verbal swipe at Roanoke goalie Matt DelGuidice, even though the Express was backstopped by Daniel Berthiaume in snapping a five-game losing streak.
``How did they lose five in a row?'' Brophy said. ``Was DelGuidice in for all five?''
SCHRINER'S STATUS: The Express took a gamble this week when it waived forward Marty Schriner to make room for winger Victor Filatov, who was acquired on waivers from Jacksonville on Tuesday.
The Express waived Schriner, hoping it could get him back. None of the ECHL's other 20 teams claimed him, so the Express was able to add him back to the roster. Filatov, who played one game, was waived.
It's been a strange season for Schriner, who was an offensive catalyst for the Express during the second half of last season. He has played in only 14 games this season. Schriner has yet to score a goal and has been scratched from the lineup in 16 games.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB