THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412080608
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Admirals report
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals are mystified, and perhaps a bit miffed, that they're not getting more help from the Portland Pirates, their American Hockey League affiliate.
The Admirals were down to four defensemen the last two games because of a two-game suspension being served by Jason MacIntyre. The Admirals called Portland and asked to use defenseman Brian Goudie for two games. Goudie was called up from Hampton Roads three weeks ago.
Although Goudie wouldn't have missed a game with the Pirates, Portland refused. Moreover, Portland has optioned two players to Wheeling - defenseman Scott Matusovich and left wing Darren McAusland - in recent days.
Admirals president Blake Cullen declined to criticize the Pirates outright.
``I'm just disappointed,'' he said. ``They take our players, and we're glad they do. That's why we're here. We recruit good players because they know that we send people up.
``But we would hope that it's a two-way street.''
Cullen said the Admirals intend to continue their affiliation with Portland and the NHL's Washington Capitals.
SLUSH HOCKEY: The unseasonably warm weather has been pleasant for the Admirals, most of whom are from Canada or the northeastern United States and live on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. But it was decidedly unpleasant Tuesday at Raleigh, where temperatures soared into the high 70s.
The ice-making equipment at Dorton Arena, a coliseum encased in glass, could not compensate for the heat, turning the contest into slush hockey.
``It was the worst ice I've ever skated on,'' said Admirals captain Trevor Halverson, who took a nasty spill when he hit a puddle in the first period.
Because of both the high temperatures and excessive wear on the ice from an Admirals practice and a public skating session on Monday, the Scope ice crew worked through the night Tuesday night to rebuild the ice for Wednesday's game with South Carolina.
SHORT STICKS: Hampton Roads coach John Brophy extended South Carolina coach Rick Vaive the unusual courtesy of letting him ride the team bus Tuesday to Raleigh to scout the Admirals-IceCaps game. That's something Brophy probably would do for no other coach in the league, but he and Vaive are close friends. Vaive played for Brophy in Toronto, Nova Scotia and Birmingham. . . . Cullen returned to his alma mater, Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., last weekend to watch the school's hockey team play. The Big Red tied Yale, 2-2. Cornell forward Tyler McManus, a senior from Ontario, previously wrote Cullen and asked for a tryout next season. ``He'll get one,'' Cullen said. . . . Defenseman Ron Pascucci and goaltender Corwin Saurdiff will be the guests tonight on WTAR radio's Admirals Report at 7. . . . WTAR sportscaster Pete Michaud, voice of the Admirals, turned 32 Wednesday. by CNB