THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 31, 1995 TAG: 9501310404
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Center John Porco has been returned to the Hampton Roads Admirals by San Diego of the IHL and will play tonight against the Charlotte Checkers at Independence Arena.
Admirals coach John Brophy says veteran center Trevor Halverson, out since mid-December with an ankle injury, will return Wednesday when the Admirals host Roanoke at Scope.
Porco, the Admirals' leading scorer, was signed nearly three weeks ago by the Gulls and played well in six games, with two goals and an assist.
But San Diego assistant coach Kurt Kleinendorst told Admirals president Blake Cullen that the Gulls were pressured by Anaheim, their parent club, to provide ice time for players under contract to the Mighty Ducks.
Porco's return will be a shot in the arm for the Admirals, who won 15 of 17 games going into the All-Star break but are 0-2-1 since.
Porco had 30 goals and 27 assists in 35 games before being signed by San Diego.
``The timing couldn't be better,'' Brophy said. `Things were beginning to fall apart a bit. It`s great for us. I'm not sure it's great for him, but we need him.''
Halverson had 25 points in 22 games before he was hurt.
The Admirals will have to shed a veteran to activate Halverson. The ECHL limits each team to three players with at least three years' experience. Rod Taylor, Dennis McEwen and Rob MacInnis also are veterans.
Brophy said he hasn't decided how he'll make room for Halverson.
INJURY UPDATE: All-ECHL forward Rick Kowalsky could return as early as Friday, when the Admirals host Knoxville at Scope. Kowalsky has been out since Saturday with a strep infection and an inflamed spleen. Trainer Rick Burrill says the infections seem to be responding to antibiotics.
Center Brendan Curley, who is out with injured ribs, skated over the weekend for the first time in a week, but Burrill says it's hard to predict when he'll return. He won't play this week.
All-ECHL defenseman Ron Pascucci is off crutches and is in a walking cast. He suffered an ankle sprain 10 days ago and could be out until early March.
GREGGA UPDATE: Negotiations between the Admirals and Nanaimo Clippers coach Gary Davidson over the release of goaltender Shamus Gregga continued Monday with no resolution.
Gregga made the trip to Charlotte, so a settlement appears imminent. ``At least I hope so,'' he said.
The Admirals signed Gregga from the Clippers, a junior hockey team in British Columbia, last week after they lost Patrick LaLime to Cleveland of the IHL. Gregga says he was told by Davidson that he would be released. However, Gregga was declared ineligible last Friday when it was learned Davidson had changed his mind.
Davidson is seeking a financial settlement from the Admirals before releasing Gregga.
``He asked me for $5,000,'' Brophy said. ``We're not going to pay $5,000. No way.''
Brophy then spoke with ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly and asked him to speak to Davidson.
``I think he (Kelly) will get it worked out,'' Brophy said.
BATTLING GOALIES: Corwin Saurdiff isn't the only Hampton Roads goaltender with a fight under his belt. Gregga was suspended for three games at Nanaimo after being ejected for fighting.
``There was a pileup at the goal and some guy on top of the pile started punching me,'' he said. ``I punched him back.''
Several times, it seems. Gregga says he won the bout.
Saurdiff was involved in a brief fight Sunday with Richmond's Duane Derksen after Derksen left the crease, apparently to join in other fights.
The Admirals declared their goaltender the winner.
``Saurds handled himself pretty well,'' said Admirals defenseman Rob MacInnis. ``You ever tried to lift your arm with all of that goalie's equipment on? He did fine.''
BROPHY QUOTE: Brophy, who has exchanged some testy words with Charlotte coach John Marks via the media, was standing in the Charlotte airport Monday evening, waiting for his bags, when he spied an airport employee.
``Hey, do you know who John Marks is?'' he asked. The man shook his head no.
Brophy nodded, then added: ``In my town, they know who I am.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Center John Porco had 30 goals and 27 assists in 35 games before
being signed by San Diego of the IHL.
by CNB