THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220738
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals defenseman Rob MacInnis, who played a key role in Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory over Greensboro, packed his bags and returned home to Nova Scotia Monday.
However, Admirals' fans need not panic. Coach John Brophy expects MacInnis to return in time to play Wednesday when the Admirals host Raleigh.
MacInnis hurriedly agreed to terms for a short stint with Hampton Roads late last week after defenseman Brian Goudie was called up by the Portland Pirates of the AHL.
When Goudie left, the Admirals told the Pirates about MacInnis, whom the Admirals had failed to sign in the preseason after obtaining his rights in a trade with Richmond. Portland agreed to sign him on the condition that he play a few games to show that he's in game shape.
Admirals coach John Brophy says MacInnis passed the two-game tryout with flying colors, and that Portland will sign MacInnis this week and assign him to play in Hampton Roads.
MacInnis returned home Monday to collect more of his belongings and to prepare for a long stay in Norfolk. He would have been here in training camp with the Admirals had they been willing to pay him enough money.
``They couldn't offer me enough to make it worth my while,'' MacInnis said of the Admirals, who pay their players about $350 per week because of the ECHL's salary cap.
Portland, which is not restricted by a salary cap, can pay MacInnis a more lucrative salary.
MacInnis skated full shifts in a 6-5 loss to Charlotte Friday and the victory at Greensboro, which broke a five-game losing streak.
MacInnis's size (6-foot, 210 pounds) and experience (nine seasons of pro hockey) gave the Admirals a boost, Brophy said.
``Our defenseman aren't real big,'' Brophy said. ``MacInnis gave us some size and experience.
``He played well Friday. He played even better Saturday.''
Brophy said the Admirals broke their losing streak Saturday in large part by improving their defense. Admirals' defensemen Ron Pascucci, Chris Phelps and Jason MacIntyre were physical in their own end, knocking down players who got near the goal with regularity. They apparently did so legally, since there were few penalties.
Moreover, they passed the puck out of their own end quickly. So far this season, errant passes by defensemen have led to numerous goals.
``This was a big step forward for us,'' Brophy said. ``At the end of regulation we went after them. We didn't back off like we did against Charlotte.
``This is the way we should have been playing all along. If we keep playing like this, we'll win a lot of hockey games.''
How long MacInnis will play for Hampton Roads is in doubt. MacInnis, whose brother, Al, is a perennial NHL all-star and played for the 1989 Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames, is likely to be recalled to Portland once he's played himself into shape.
But that could take a while.
MacInnis spent the last two months playing senior hockey in Nova Scotia for a team that practiced once per week and played infrequently.
``It's tough to keep in shape in senior hockey, especially at my age,'' MacInnis said.
``This all happened so quick. I got a call from the Admirals and the next thing I know I'm here. I didn't expect to play as much as I did. I got a little tired.''
While MacInnis has helped the Admirals solve one problem, his presence could cause another. The Admirals are limited to three veterans - players with three years of experience. Rod Taylor and Trevor Halverson are the other veterans.
Dennis McEwen, whose moniker is The Original Admiral because he is the only player remaining from the team's first practice in 1989, is also a vet. McEwen is on injured reserve and will be eligible to play again on Nov. 20 when the Admirals host Roanoke.
``We'll figure something out when McEwen comes back,'' Brophy said. by CNB