THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410150399
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
It was only an exhibition game, but a 7-4 victory over Wheeling on Friday at Scope left the Hampton Roads Admirals convinced that they have championship potential.
The win came over the team that eliminated Hampton Roads from the second round of the playoffs last season. It also marked the debut for most of the players who will be on ice when Hampton Roads opens the regular season.
The game came 24 hours after the Admirals defeated Johnstown, 4-3, in their exhibition opener, but rookies, most of whom won't make the team, filled the lineup that night.
``This is the group we're going to go with for the most part. It was our first time together. This was our team,'' said Rick Kowalsky, a right wing who played for Cornwall of the AHL last season. ``Tonight was when we began to get together and get things rolling.''
Added defenseman Ron Pascucci: ``We need to cut down some on our defensive problems. We saw some things we need to work on tonight. But we played well. The team looks real good. We're optimistic.''
``We played great,'' said coach John Brophy, not one to casually pass out accolades. ``We were aggressive and played well up front. . . . We showed a lot of potential.''
Newcomers did much of the offensive damage for Hampton Roads, which rocked Wheeling goaltenders with 45 shots.
Tom Menicci, a rookie from St. Anselm College, had a goal and two assists. Matt Mullgrave, acquired three days ago from Portland of the AHL, had a goal and an assist.
Kowalsky also scored a goal, as did Trevor Halverson, who played for Milwaukee in the IHL last season, and John Porco, a rookie who played professionally in Italy.
Returning forwards Rod Taylor and Jim Brown both scored goals. Taylor, the team's leading scorer last season, added two assists.
However, the game's best performance may have come from goaltender Patrick LaLime, who allowed three goals but had 35 saves.
The Thunderbirds peppered LaLime with 15 shots in the third period. By then, with the outcome long decided, the game had degenerated into a shoving match.
``We had a little penalty trouble there in the third period,'' Brophy said. ``But other than that, I was very pleased. . . . ``The team is starting to come together.''
NOTES: The Admirals left Friday night for Frederick, Md., where they were to spend the night. They were to depart this morning for Johnstown, Pa. for a 7:30 p.m. game with the Chiefs. The Admirals conclude their exhibition season Sunday at 6 p.m. at Wheeling, W.Va. . . . Forward Brendan Curley and defenseman Joe Eagan were scratched from the lineup Friday with injuries. Both will make the trip to Johnstown, but might not play until Sunday. . . . Mark Michaud, an ECHL all-star last season for the Admirals, was optioned to ECHL rival Birmingham by the Florida Panthers on Thursday. He was 38-17 in goal for the Admirals last season. by CNB