ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Darryl Noren scored two goals and Nick Vitucci made 41 saves as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Roanoke Express 4-2 Tuesday night, ending Roanoke's four-game winning streak.
Noren's second goal of the night put Charlotte (23-17-4) ahead for good with 12:04 to play. He scored on a power play less than three minutes after Roanoke (25-15-3) had tied the score.
David Brosseau scored with 1:15 left to put it away for the Checkers.
Vitucci made 27 saves in the first two periods to hold the Express at bay. Charlotte led 1-0 despite being outshot 15-8 in the first period and was ahead 2-1 despite trailing 28-14 in shots after two periods.
Roanoke tied the score twice but never led. Noren gave Charlotte the lead by scoring 3:12 into the game, then Roanoke's Jeff Jablonski tallied his 28th goal of the season off a Dave Stewart assist to tie it 1-1 at 11:08 of the second. Mickey Elick gave the Checkers the 2-1 lead with 3:20 left in the period.
In the third, Tim Christian fed Jeff Loder from the right corner for Loder's 16th goal of the year to tie it 2-2 at 5:03.
The Express announced Tuesday that rookie defenseman Matt O'Dette signed a two-way contract with the American Hockey League's Saint John Flames. O'Dette will remain with the Express, but he could be subject to a promotion to the AHL.
O'Dette, originally a Florida Panthers' draft pick, has played in all 42 games, while recording 13 points, 83 penalty minutes and a plus-3 rating.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB