THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070413
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
The only consolation for the Hampton Roads Admirals on a night when they were mauled 7-3 by Roanoke was that they were without five talented players who will likely play key roles this season.
Craig Herr had two goals for Roanoke, which scored five times on the power play and twice shorthanded.
Hampton Roads had 22 penalties, many because of pro hockey's new obstruction rule, which prohibits players from interfering with opponents away from the puck.
``We haven't learned the rule yet,'' said head coach Brophy, who held out five of his best players to give his rookies a chance to make the team. ``We'd better learn, we'd better adjust, or we'll be in the penalty box all year.''
Other penalties came from inexperience. Most of the penalties were called on rookies, many of whom will be cut this morning before the team departs for tonight's exhibition in Richmond.
``We had a bunch of young guys who were overanxious,'' said Admirals captain Rod Taylor, who had a goal and two assists. ``It was not a good game to play in. It was hard to get anything going with everyone running around like that.''
Brophy was particularly upset by the Admirals' penalty-killing. Roanoke scored five times on 17 power plays.
``If we kill penalties like that this year, we'd better not ever get in the penalty box,'' he said.
Nonetheless, there were some bright spots:
Center Steve Richards, a rookie from Ohio State, had a goal and showed solid skating, passing and defensive skills. He appears to have earned a spot on the roster.
Forward Jeff Kostuch had a goal, and also impressed with his skating and stickhandling.
Defenseman Martin Woods was aggressive and effective on a night when the defense was anything but impressive.
Asked what the Admirals must to do improve, Brophy said: ``We've got to play our players. Then if we have the same problems . . . ''
Defenseman Chris Phelps and forwards Rick Kowalsky and Trevor Halverson, all first-line players last season, watched from the stands. So did forwards Dominic Maltais and David St. Pierre, who are under contract to Portland of the American Hockey League. They are expected to play tonight.
Goaltending is supposed to be a major strength this season, with three experienced goalies in camp. But it was hard to tell much about Mark Bernard and Corwin Saurdiff on this night.
Both were pelted with quality shots - the Admirals were outshot 40-29 - and both had good saves. But Bernard surrendered five goals before being pulled at 8:15 of the second period. Saurdiff, the starter much of last season, gave up two.
Shamus Gregga and newcomer Darryl Paquette will split time in goal tonight in Richmond, which will be playing at home for the first time since winning the ECHL title last season.
Roanoke 3 2 2 - 7
Hampton Roads 0 1 2 - 3
First Period-1, Roanoke, Christian (Jones), pp, 7:17. 2, Roanoke, Herr (unassisted), sh, 10:11; 3, Roanoke, Gallentine (Jones, Harmer), pp., 14:28. Penalties- Holum, R, (slashing), 1:39; Downey, HR, (elbowing), 1:59; Christian, R (interference), 4:37; Levinthal, HR (slashing), 5:30; Fillion, HR (interference), 6:36; Clarke, R, major (charging), minor (roughing); Richards, HR, (roughing), 9:18; Hampton Roads, too many men on the ice; Levinthal, HR (holding), 15:11; Potter, R (interference), 15:50; Levinthal, HR, (holding the stick), 18:48; Clarke, R (roughing); Downey, HR, (roughing), 18:55.
Second Period-4, Hampton Roads, Richards (Taylor, M. Woods), pp., 3:44; 5, Roanoke, Larson (unassisted), pp, 5:43; 6, Roanoke, Holum (Jones, Larkin), pp., 8:15; Penalties-Henley, R, (interference) 3:31; Keiller, HR (holding), 5:14; Kostuch, HR (interference), 6:11; Bernard, HR (slashing), 6:27, served by Taylor; MacIntyre, HR (10-minute misconduct, holding), 9:50; Larson, R (hooking), 10:21; Davidson, HR major (fighting), minors (roughing, elbowing), 13:56; Larson, R major (fighting), 13:56; Sherman, R (interference), 14:32;
Third Period-7, Hampton Roads, Kostuch (Fillion, Taylor), :14. 8, Hampton Roads, Taylor (Saurdiff), sh., 1:54. 9, Roanoke, Herr (Larkin, Clarke), pp., 9:31; 10, Roanoke, Herr 2 (Christian), sh., 10:41. Penalties-Kostuch, HR (holding), 1:13; Jones, R (holding), 2:32; Woods, HR (hooking), 3:38; Christian, R (hooking), 5:19; Taylor, HR (elbowing), 8:15; Sherman, R major (fighting), 10:41; Davidson, HR major (fighting), 10:41; Striar, HR major (fighting), 16:24; Dunleavy, R major (fighting), 16:24; Wagner, HR double-minor (roughing), 17:00; Jones, R (holding), 17:31; Richards, HR (high-sticking), 19:33.
Shots on goal-Roanoke, 14-15-11-40; Hampton Roads, 10-4-15-29; Goaltending-Roanoke, Pason (1-0), 16 shots, 15 saves; Delguidice, 18-16; Hampton Roads, Bernard (0-1) 19-14, Saurdiff 17-15. Power play opportunities-Roanoke, 5-of-17; Hampton Roads, 1-8. Officials-Sheri (referee), Hamlett, Kierst. Time-2:50. Attendance-5,065. ILLUSTRATION: PAUL AIKEN
Staff
The Admirals Aaron Downey, white jersey, is restrained by an
official as he's taunted by Roanoke Express players.
by CNB