THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 1, 1994 TAG: 9411010436
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals and Richmond Renegades haven't been archrivals in recent years, certainly not like the Admirals and Greensboro.
But that appears to be changing. Bad blood flowed last weekend, when the Renegades took a pair of games from Hampton Roads.
Four Renegades and two Admirals were ejected for fighting in Richmond's 5-2 victory Saturday. In postgame interviews, a war of words ensued, such as this comment from Richmond right wing Jay Murphy.
``Any time you're playing a group of guys coached by John Brophy, you've got to be ready for anything,'' he said. ``They aren't afraid to be cheap --------.''
One of the Richmond players ejected was Shawn Snesar, an Admiral for three seasons who was traded to the Renegades in September.
``Snesar forgot he can't fight,'' Admirals' assistant coach Al MacIsaac said with a snicker after watching Snesar take more punches than he gave.
Brophy, however, was not amused by comments Snesar made in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Snesar credited Brophy with making him a better player: ``I had a good season last year. It's probably got something to do with him and his work ethic.''
But Snesar also said he wouldn't miss playing for Brophy, nor would he miss the ``stressful'' practices he endured with the Admirals.
``Broph is from the hard school, and I don't think he'll ever change,'' Snesar said. ``Maybe it'll do me some good to get away from a little of the stress during the season, to relax a little.''
Brophy's reaction?
``My purpose in this city is to win games, win titles and make money,'' he said. ``I've put a flag on the roof here every year but one, and I intend to put one on this year, too.
``I could care less if Shawn Snesar wants to go to Richmond to have a nice, easy practice. We'll see about that later this year.''
Indeed we will. The Admirals and Renegades meet 10 more times this season.
GOUDIE UPDATE: Standout defenseman Brian Goudie is scheduled to meet with Brophy and MacIsaac this morning to determine his status for tonight's game at Raleigh. Goudie was benched for more than half of the game in Richmond on Saturday after he acknowledged to Brophy that he wasn't playing as hard as he could.
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Tonight in Raleigh, Hampton Roads begins a streak of five games in six days. The Admirals host Johnstown on Wednesday and Charlotte on Friday before traveling to Charlotte on Saturday and Richmond on Sunday.
Forward John Porco, out with a concussion suffered Friday against Richmond, is listed as questionable for tonight.
TOUGH CUT: Brophy did not relish his decision to cut forward Martin Laitre last week.
``He's a tough kid who did everything we asked of him,'' Brophy said. ``But we had to make a cut.''
Laitre didn't score in four appearances, but he made an impression in the first day of practice few who were there will ever forget. Challenged to fight by fellow rookie Steve Anderson twice in one day, Laitre obliged. It took 68 stiches to close the cuts on Anderson.
Brophy says he's hopeful Laitre will sign on with a Colonial Hockey League.
TOUGH BREAK: Admirals president Blake Cullen says he takes responsibility for the snafu that led to Colin Gregor being declared ineligible until Nov. 10.
Gregor reported to the Admirals on Friday after being cut by the Canadian Olympic team. The Admirals tried to activate him Saturday.
However, ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly ruled him ineligible. It seems the Admirals suspended Gregor during the preseason when he did not report. It was the only way to hold onto his rights.
A league rule says that any player suspended must remain suspended for 30 days. Though the rule stipulates suspensions only during the regular season, Kelly said it applied to preseason suspensions as well.
``I wasn't aware of it,'' Cullen said. ``I should have been. It was my fault.'' by CNB