THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503020614
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ERIE, PA. LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
With their lineup already depleted by injuries and call-ups, the Hampton Roads Admirals suffered another major loss Wednesday when All-Star forward John Porco was called up by Saint John of the AHL.
Porco leads the Admirals in scoring with 77 points.
But there was also good news: Goaltender Corwin Saurdiff is being sent back to Hampton Roads from Kansas City of the IHL.
``He'll be here this weekend,'' coach John Brophy said.
Porco joins All-Star forward Rick Kowalsky, called up by Cornwall two weeks ago, in the AHL, leaving their status for the ECHL playoffs undetermined.
Kowalsky was to have rejoined the Admirals on Monday in Erie but instead has gone on an extended road trip with Cornwall. Officials in Cornwall have told Brophy they don't know when or if Kowalsky will return.
``I have no idea how long Porco will be up,'' Brophy said. ``They said they needed him tomorrow. That's all they said. I don't know anything about Kowalsky, either.''
Brophy needs to know the status of both players by Monday, because at 3 that afternoon the Admirals must submit their 18-man playoff roster. After Monday, a player can be added to the roster only if three other players are injured.
Filling 18 slots would have been impossible Wednesday, when the Admirals dressed 13 players against Erie. Forwards Trevor Halverson and Ron Majic return from three-game suspensions tonight, when the Admirals conclude their eight-game road trip at Johnstown.
Forwards Matt Mallgrave and George Zajankala and goaltender Todd Hunter are injured, and their status for the playoffs is unknown. But even if all three return, without Kowalsky and Porco the Admirals' playoffs hopes would be deflated considerably.
``We have some decisions to make Monday,'' Brophy said. ``We put guys on the 18-man roster last year who were up (in the IHL and AHL) and came back. But you take a chance when you do that. What if they don't come back?'' ILLUSTRATION: John
Porco
by CNB