THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 21, 1994 TAG: 9410210757
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Like most of the nine newcomers to the Hampton Roads Admirals, Bill Lang chose to play hockey in Norfolk in part because of the fans.
Salaries in the East Coast Hockey League are, in theory, about equal because of the salary cap. But fan support is anything but, and coach John Brophy puts the Admirals' fanatical following to full use when recruiting talent.
``When I talked to Broph in the summertime, he said if you want to play in front of 8,000 or 9,000 people every night, this is the place to go,'' said Lang, a rookie right wing who played junior hockey in Ontario last season. ``That was a big factor in my decision to come here. I enjoy playing in front of people.
``It's obvious they like their hockey here and they love the Admirals. Broph says this place is great for home games. I'm looking forward to the first home game.''
That game comes tonight, when the Admirals open their regular-season home schedule against the Raleigh IceCaps at 7:35 at Scope. A crowd of 8,000 is expected at the 8,990-seat arena.
Pre-game ceremonies, including introduction of the players, begin at 7:20.
The Admirals were 3-1 in exhibition play, including two victories at Scope, and lost, 5-3, in their regular-season opener Tuesday at Roanoke. But most of the Admirals view tonight as the true first game of the season.
``The home opener really signals the beginning of the season to us,'' said Dennis McEwen, the Admirals' captain. ``It's the first game here for half the team. They'll be looking forward to the crowd. They hear a lot about it from the guys who've played here before. I'm sure they'll get a few goosebumps.''
So will Brophy.
``Any time 9,000 people come out to see you play hockey, it's special. And the home opener is always special,'' he said. ``The players are looking forward to it.''
What do the fans have to look forward to?
A new scoreboard system at Scope that includes end-zone scoreboards for the first time.
A new ice-making system that gives the ice a clearer, cleaner look.
A new ECHL scheduling philosophy that will bring the five East Division teams to Norfolk 26 times in 34 games. Roanoke and Charlotte will play at Scope six times each.
A rare midseason exhibition game against a Russian Elite League team Jan. 4 at Scope.
Tonight's opponent finished second to Hampton Roads in the East Division regular-season standings and advanced to the Jack Riley Cup finals last season. And the IceCaps are expected to be strong again this season.
Raleigh lost at Richmond, 4-3, Wednesday in its opener. The game was televised regionally on Home Team Sports, and most of the Admirals watched.
``It was hard to tell much,'' McEwen said. ``It seemed like they were more anxious about playing on TV and scrapping it up a bit than they were in playing hockey. But Raleigh should be strong again this season, and they always play us tough here.''
Hampton Roads won four of seven games with Raleigh last season. The Admirals were 3-1 at home, but two were narrow wins, 3-2 and 5-3.
``Raleigh is a good hockey club with skilled players, and they don't try to kill anybody,'' Brophy said. ``Any time you make a mistake, they take advantage.''
NOTES: Brophy said he's glad HTS is broadcasting ECHL games even though the Admirals aren't scheduled to appear. ``It's great for our league,'' he said. ceremonial first puck tonight. ``It will be a longtime fan,'' is all he would say. ... The first 5,000 fans at Scope will receive magnetic schedules. ... Columbus coach Moe Mantha was suspended for three games by the league Thursday for leaving the ice after the first overtime of Monday's game with Huntington. The league said Mantha gave no explanation for his action. by CNB