THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995              TAG: 9511190476

SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE:    THE HAMPTON ROADS ADMIRALS AND RICHMOND RENEGADES HAVE TRADED THELE



                  ADMIRALS LOSE BATTLE FOR 1ST TO RICHMOND



   The Admirals, who entered Richmond Coliseum trailing by a standings point, 

left this typically unfriendly building three points down after a 6-1 loss to 

the Renegades.

   ``We did everything to get ready,'' Admirals coach John Brophy said. 

``First place was at stake. We never competed as a team for what was at stake.

Our defense and goaltenders were run over all night.''

   Darryl Paquette opened in goal for the Admirals and hadn't suffered a 

regulation loss, carrying a ECHL-best 2.26 goals against average.

   Only one goal slipped through in the first. But in the second period, 

Richmond attacked for four goals and a 5-1 margin. Mark Bernard, coming on in 

reserve, allowed the final goal in the third period.

   ``Richmond played very well,'' Brophy said. ``They certainly were more 

determined than us.''

   Dmitri Pankov's late hat trick pushed the Renegades (12-3-0) lead from 3-1 

to the commanding 6-1 final.

   In the first period, Renegades Mike Taylor chipped a shot past Paquette for

an opening power-play goal.

   The Admirals (8-2-5) responded less than two minutes later as Trevor 

Halverson cracked a head-on shot to even the score, with Rick Kowalsky and 

Serge Aubin assisting.

   In the second period, Greg Hadden won a faceoff and slipped the puck to 
Brendan Flynn. Mike Morin deflected Flynn's power-play shot into the net for a

2-1 lead.

   The Renegades' offense exploded in the closing minutes of the period. A 

flurry of shots resulted in three Richmond goals in less than two minutes - 

two by Pankov 34 seconds apart - stretching the Renegades' lead to 5-1.

   Tempers flared and a scuffle at center ice resulted in a four-minute double

minor for high sticking on Admirals forward Jeff Kostuch and four 10-minute 

misconduct penalties.

   Admirals Aaron Downey and Bob Woods and Renegades Garett MacDonald and 

Martin Roy were assessed the misconduct charges.

   The second and third period were laden with penalties for both teams. In 

all, there were 164 minutes in penalties, with 128 minutes assessed in the 

final two periods.

   Brophy pointed out that the Admirals missed a golden opportunity.

   ``How many more chances are going to be available?'' Brophy asked.