THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180462
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
Coach John Brophy is emphatic. ``We've got the best team in the East Division,'' he says of his Hampton Roads Admirals.
``We're going to win the division, and there's not a damn thing the other teams can do about it.''
So is Rod Taylor, the Admirals top scorer last season and their oldest, most experienced player.
``This team has more talent than last year,'' he said.
Added forward Brendan Curley: ``This team played great in the preseason, but has yet to scratch the surface of its potential.''
They have ample reason for optimism. The Admirals, who open tonight at the Roanoke Civic Center against the Roanoke Express, appear better at this point than the team that went 41-19-8 and won the East Division a year ago.
The Admirals were 3-1 in exhibition play, including two lopsided victories over Wheeling, the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season.
Their roster is loaded with fast skaters and explosive sticks. And like any Brophy-coached team, the Admirals enter the season in superb physical condition.
But major questions remain:
How will the Admirals react when Portland and other AHL teams begin calling up players?
Is the defense up to the task?
Does this team have the staying power to win its third Jack Riley Cup in five years?
Last season the Admirals were dominant in the East during the regular season, but lost in the second round of the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Call-ups hurt - they lost players 13 times to AHL teams - and they appeared to tire in the series with Wheeling, won by the Thunderbirds, 3-1.
The Admirals can expect at least as many call-ups this season. The Washington Capitals optioned several players to Portland. Once the NHL lockout is resolved, some of those players will be recalled and Portland likely will look to Norfolk seeking replacements.
``You want your players to move up,'' Brophy said. ``That's why you're here.
``Good teams lose players. You win championships by how you adjust to the losses.''
Last season, Hampton Roads did not adjust well to those losses, nor to the fatigue of a late two-week road trip, one the Admirals take every February because the circus is at Scope.
The Admirals won six of eight games on the trip. ``But the trip took a lot out of us,'' team captain Dennis McEwen said.
Hampton Roads ended the regular season with three consecutive losses. It defeated South Carolina in the first round of the playoffs, 2-1, before being eliminated by Wheeling.
Throughout training camp, the coaches have been preaching staying power.
``We want players who are going to be with us all the way,'' assistant coach Al MacIsaac said.
Taylor uses another word to describe what they're looking for: heart.
``We've got more talent on this team than we had last year,'' he said. ``But we'll have to see if the heart is there.
``That's what makes a great team.''
McEwen, who has played in more Admirals' games than any other player, says the team has everything fans could ask for offensively.
``We've got three lines, not just one, that can buzz,'' he said. ``You'll see a lot more buzz in the offensive zone.
``We've got a lot of firepower and speed, a lot of quickness.''
Taylor, Curley and Jim Brown give the Admirals three experienced, and explosive, forwards.
Trevor Halverson, who spent last season in the IHL, gives the Admirals another skilled veteran, and a scoring threat. Matt Mallgrave is another forward experienced at a higher level. He is under contract with Portland. And McEwen had his best offensive season a year ago.
Rookies John Porco, Bill Lang, Rick Kowalsky and Martin Laitre have played well in training camp. Kelly Sorensen, on the 15-day disabled list after a brief retirement, had an outstanding training camp.
The defense, however, is still a question mark.
``The defense is small and mobile. And we've got some toughness back there - I hope,'' McEwen said.
Three returning players give the Admirals a great defensive start - Ron Pascucci, Brian Goudie and Jason MacIntyre. Rookies Chris Phelps and Tom Menicci have impressed in the preseason, but the defense showed some weaknesses in exhibition play.
``The talent is there,'' Pascucci said. ``It might take some time, but we'll get it done.''
The goaltenders are inexperienced. Yet returnee Shamus Gregga looks to be much improved and newcomer Patrick LaLime had an excellent preseason.
Brophy says there will be one big difference between last year and this.
``We led the league in penalties last year,'' he said. ``Some of them were dumb penalties. You don't win by making dumb mistakes.
``I guarantee we will not lead the league in penalties.''
Just in victories, he hopes. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff file
``This team has more talent than last year,'' says Rod Taylor, the
Admirals' top scorer last season.
by CNB