THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503190189
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
It's hard to garner much national attention in the ECHL, but Corwin Saurdiff managed to do it Saturday.
The Hampton Roads Admirals' goaltender slapped the puck 180 feet into an empty net Saturday in a 5-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers before a cheering crowd of 8,851 at Scope. It is believed to be only the third goal ever scored by a goaltender - Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers and Michelle Plasse of Kansas City in the old Continental League are the only goaltenders known to have done the same.
``People are going to know about Corwin all over Canada,'' Admirals center John Porco said. ``They'll be showing this over and over again (on Canadian television).
``It's something you're lucky to see once in a lifetime.''
Saurdiff is aware it was a special night. He took the stick with which he scored the goal and passed it around to his teammates, getting each one sign his autograph.
``That stick could wind up in the hockey hall of fame,'' teammate Kelly Sorensen said.
Saurdiff's goal came after he cradled a shot in front of his own goal. With no Charlotte players in the immediate vicinity, he took careful aim and let fly.
``I had two shots on the net in two nights before this one,'' he said. ``I've been trying to score.
``It wasn't a fluke. I was aiming for the net. When you have that much time, you definitely aim at the net.''
Saurdiff then asked where the puck had gone in. Told the left pocket, he responded: ``Yep, that's where I was aiming.''
ROD MVP: Rod Taylor picked up a couple awards, plus an expense-paid trip to the Bamamas, over the weekend. Taylor was named the Admirals' most valuable player for February and March prior to Friday's 2-1 victory over Richmond.
Taylor had seven goals and five assists in the 21 games in those months prior to Friday. He was named MVP by the Admirals coaches, media and the booster club.
Saturday, prior to the victory over Charlotte, he was named MVP for the season, as selected by the fans, and he got more than a plaque for that. He will take a cruise to the Bahamas, along with Admirals' fans, once the season is over.
SHAMUS HAPPY: Goaltender Shamus Gregga took particular pleasure in the Admirals 3-1 victory over Roanoke and Express goalie Daniel Berthiaume, a nine-year NHL veteran.
``It feels good to beat him because he has 81 wins in The Show,'' said Gregga, a 20-year-old Toronto native. ``I remember watching him. My Dad used to drive me to Maple Leaf Gardens and he was the goaltender (for visiting teams).
``And now I've beaten him. You dream about something like that.'' by CNB