THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 21, 1995 TAG: 9501210339
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals made coach John Brophy a happy man on his birthday Friday by pulling into a first-place tie in the ECHL's East Division.
The Admirals rallied to defeat the archrival Greensboro Monarchs, 8-4, before a sellout crowd of 8,990 at Scope. Combined with Richmond's 6-1 victory over Charlotte, the win propelled Hampton Roads (25-13-3) into a first-place tie with the Renegades, each with 53 points. Charlotte fell into third, a point behind.
The ascension to first place climaxes a remarkable turnaround for the Admirals. Two months ago they were last in the East Division and off to their worst start ever. They have won 15 of 17 games since, including four in a row.
``We're playing great hockey,'' said Brophy, who turned 62 on Friday. ``We gave up a lot of shots (39), but when you win a hockey game 8-4, you have no complaints.''
Hampton Roads played poorly in the first period and trailed the Monarchs, 2-0, on a pair of goals by Glenn Stewart. Brophy then stormed into the locker room between periods to give the Admirals a stern tongue-lashing.
``He told us that we'd had an opportunity a few weeks ago to pull into first and blew it'' by losing to Charlotte, said center Jim Brown.
``He told us to get things together, that we didn't want to blow it this time.''
The Admirals responded by scoring a franchise-record six goals in the second period, including two by Brown, and one each from Rod Taylor and Colin Gregor. Both Taylor and Gregor scored again in the third period to turn the game into a rout.
Defenseman Rob MacInnis didn't score but had four assists and finished with a plus-minus of 6 for the game.
Taylor's two goals continued a hot streak for the Admirals' veteran, who has scored eight goals in the last five games. For Gregor, the two goals marked a major step forward. He had one goal in his first 16 starts, then was placed on injured reserve. He was activated only last week.
``He hadn't skated in a while but has played well,'' Brophy said. ``He deserves a lot of credit for coming out and working hard.''
The Admirals continue to accrue injuries. Center Brendan Curley, injured in a 3-1 victory Wednesday against Richmond, missed Friday's game with a rib injury and might be placed on injured reserve next week.
Officials feared that he might have suffered spleen damage, which might have ended his career, but no organs were injured and but his injury is expected to heal.
Defenseman Ron Pascucci, an ECHL All-Star, went down with a leg injury in the second period and will have X-rays taken today. Officials fear he broke a small bone just above his ankle.
``I hit a rut in the ice,'' Pascucci said. ``I just went down the wrong way.''
``It's just my luck,'' added Pascucci, who had been scheduled to play in the all-star game Tuesday at Greensboro.
``I finally make something, and now it looks like I might not play.''
The Admirals apparently will only have one player in the all-star game. John Porco, their third all-star, was called up by San Diego last week and won't play. Left wing Rick Kowalsky is the lone remaining all-star.
``I'm going to lock myself up this weekend and stay there,'' Kowalsky said. ``I want to play in the all-star game.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by D. Kevin Elliott, Staff
Jim Brown leaps to avoid a shit by a teammate...
by CNB