THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411260199
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Absence has not made John Brophy's heart grow fonder for Phil Berger.
The Hampton Roads Admirals coach has this to say about Berger's impending return to the archrival Greensboro Monarchs: ``I don't give a damn. He never won anything in Greensboro.''
Asked how Berger might clear waivers in the Colonial Hockey League, where he has been playing for the Detroit Flames, he said: ``To me it must be collusion. What did he score, 25 points in 14 games? It has to be collusion. A lot of teams in that league could use him.
``It was either that or nobody wanted him because of his long, greasy hair.''
Berger played the last five seasons for Greensboro before signing with a German Elite League team. He left Germany after a contract squabble and went to Detroit, where he played for five weeks, before signing on as a player/assistant coach at Greensboro.
Berger didn't play Friday against the Admirals because the Monarchs must still waive or trade a veteran to make room for him and because Greensboro has yet to hear for sure if he cleared waivers.
``They wanted me to watch the team for a game or two and get a feel for the team,'' said Berger, who watched the game from press row.
Berger says he expects to clear waivers in the Colonial by today and perhaps play tonight in Raleigh.
``The general manager in Detroit has been calling clubs and telling them I have a chance to get a better job, a chance to coach, and that even if someone claims me, I'm not going to play in the Colonial.''
Berger declined to respond to Brophy's comments.
``Mr. Brophy's going to say what Mr. Brophy's going to say,'' he said.
``I'd like to correct Mr. Brophy on one fact. I played on Greensboro's (ECHL) championship team my first season.
``Otherwise, it's fine if that's what he thinks. Other teams can think or say what they want. I'm just here to play hockey in Greensboro and help this team win.''
WOUNDED: The Admirals were short a defensemen Friday. Jason MacIntyre was scratched from the lineup with a strained thumb injured in a fight Wednesday in a 6-5 shootout loss to Raleigh.
Tony MacAulay was placed on the 14-day injured reserve list with a wrenched back. He will be eligible to play again Dec. 9 against Richmond. Defenseman Rob MacInnis, assigned to the Admirals from Portland, replaced MacAulay.
GOOD LUCK: WTAR radio sports director Jack Ankerson continues to be the Admirals good-luck charm. The Admirals are 6-0 with him on the public address microphone the last two seasons. He was subbing for regular announcer Bill Bishop, WNIS-radio sports director, who is on vacation. ILLUSTRATION: Charts
Summary
Attendance
Standings
For copy of charts, see microfilm
by CNB