Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 31, 1992 TAG: 9203310398
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The upstart Rebels, coming off a series-tying 5-4 overtime victory in Saturday's Game 6 in Vinton, hope to manufacture another miracle in tonight's deciding Game 7 against the heavily favored Greensboro Monarchs at the Greensboro Coliseum.
"After what happened in Game 6, we've got to believe anything can happen," Rebels coach Roy Sommer said. "I know all the numbers are against us playing down there, but we've got a hot goaltender, and a hot goaltender can kill you in the playoffs."
The Rebels' chances tonight figure to rest in the big glove of goalie Mike James, who almost single-handedly won Game 6, stopping 56 of 60 Greensboro shots.
Sommer said James' spectacular work has to have the Monarchs thinking twice.
"I'm sure Greensboro is second-guessing itself now," Sommer said. "I know I would be if I were in their position."
While James is Sommer's ace, Monarchs coach Jeff Brubaker's trump card is his club's home-ice advantage. The visiting team has yet to win a game in the series. Greensboro won Games 3, 4 and 5 at home by scores of 5-2, 5-1 and 6-1.
"I guess that's what we played the whole year for - to play Game 7 at home," said Brubaker, whose club won the ECHL's Eastern Division regular-season title.
Like his players, Brubaker appeared in a state of shock after the Game 6 loss. The Monarchs did everything but win, outshooting the Rebels 60-27 while spending probably 75 percent of the game working in the Roanoke Valley end.
When asked if he ever had witnessed a better goaltending performance than James' Game 6 show, Brubaker said, "Not really. The guy is simply playing like the house is on fire."
James is hot, all right. He has stopped 251 of 273 shots for a 91.94 save percentage.
"I don't think James even knows how he's come up with some of the saves he has made," Brubaker said.
Despite his heroics, James has remained his normal low-key self. The 24-year-old goalie said he and his teammates are at ease with their situation.
"We're the underdog and we're fairly relaxed," James said. "Nobody gave us a chance to be here. Greensboro is supposed to win, so all the pressure is on them.
"Myself, I don't want the season to end now. I want to keep playing hockey."
Tonight's winner will advance to play defending ECHL champion Hampton Roads in the Eastern Division finals.
To win, the Rebels will have to start stronger than they did in the first three games in Greensboro. The Monarchs scored first in all three games and dictated the pace early.
"We have to get the wake-up call earlier this time," Rebels center Peter Kasowski said. "They're tough to play from behind against."
The Rebels figure to employ a similar game plan as in Game 6, when they went to the the body at every opportunity.
"That's the only way we can beat that team," Sommer said. "We just can't let 'em skate and go wild. They can score so quickly."
\ ICE CHIPS: Kasowski, who scored a big short-handed goal in Game 6, and Brett Stewart lead the Rebels in scoring with nine points each in the series. Right wing Mark Woolf has five of the club's 16 goals. Right wing Corey Lyons, who has supplied the winning score in all three Rebels wins, has four goals. . . . After outshooting the Monarchs 40-29 in Game 1, the Rebels have been outshot 244-150. . . . ECHL Commissioner Pat Kelly, after watching James' goaltending exhibition in Game 6: "Without him, it's 9-1 game." . . . Roanoke Valley won't be alone in tonight's hostile environment. Club promotions director Shirley Woolwine said two busloads of fans will depart from the LancerLot at 4:30 p.m. Anyone interested in making the trip should call Woolwine at 345-3557. The trip costs $18 per person, including a game ticket.
\ TOUGH GOING
REBELS ON THE ROAD
Perfect: The Monarchs are 7-0 vs. the Rebels at the Greensboro Coliseum this season, outscoring them 38-14.
Nice to be home: Greensboro has lost six games at home in 35 games, including playoffs.
Road woes: The Rebels have won six of 35 road games, including playoffs.
by CNB