THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160543
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen has long advocated splitting the ECHL into two divisions. But as the league continues to expand, he's having second thoughts.
The ECHL is expanding primarily to the South, and while he thinks that's good for the league, it's the wrong direction for Hampton Roads in a divisional setup.
Tallahassee, Fla., was added this season. An expansion franchise is locating in Mobile, Ala., next season. Jacksonville, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., and Louisville, Ky., are likely to join next season as well.
With more teams in the South, a two-divisional setup likely would mean that Hampton Roads, Richmond and Roanoke would be grouped in the North Division with Dayton, Wheeling, Toledo, Columbus, Johnstown and Erie. In other words, there would be no natural rivals for the Virginia teams.
Cullen would like the Admirals to retain their rivalries with the three North Carolina teams - Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte. If the league retains three divisions, South Carolina likely would come into the East with the Admirals.
``If there was a natural split, I think two divisions would be preferable,'' Cullen said. ``But there doesn't seem to be a natural split.''
The Admirals begin a string of seven road games against North Division teams next week.
``We want to go south next season,'' Admirals coach John Brophy said.
Whether they Admirals will get that chance will be decided in early May, when the league holds its spring meeting in New Orleans.
Cullen says he doesn't know how the divisional vote will go, but commissioner Pat Kelly recently told The Hockey News that he thinks the league will have two divisions next season.
Regardless, Cullen said there appears to be a consensus to have more interdivisional play. This season the Admirals play 52 of 64 games against East rivals.
ADMIRALS ALUMNI: Two former Admirals are playing in goal for the Washington Capitals.
Olaf Kolzig has started six games and was 1-4-1 with a 2.85 goals-against average prior to Wednesday. He was supplanted as starter a few weeks ago by Rick Tabaracci, but Tabaracci was injured in a 5-3 loss Monday to the Philadelphia Flyers and is out indefinitely.
The Caps replaced Tabaracci with ex-Admiral Byron Dafoe, who was recalled from Phoenix of the IHL, where he was 24-17-6 with a 3.73 goals-against average.
Of 11 former Admirals in higher leagues, six are goaltenders.
``We've never had a bad goaltender here,'' Brophy said. ``We've sent some good ones up.''
Two former Admiral goaltenders faced off Sunday when Peoria (Parris Duffus) and Cleveland (Patrick LaLime) met in an IHL game. The teams were tied, 2-2, after regulation, and it was another former Admiral who had the game-winning goal. Forward Pat Cavanaugh scored in the 15th round of a shootout.
ADMIRALS REPORT: Assistant coach Al MacIsaac and goaltender Todd Hunter will be the guests tonight on the Admirals Report call-in show on WTAR, AM-790. The show begins at 7:04 p.m. by CNB