THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300518
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals showered Todd Hunter with high praise after the emergency backup goalie stopped 25 of 27 shots by the Richmond Renegades Tuesday night.
``The guy flat-out stood on his head,'' said Admirals forward Aaron Downey.
``It enabled us to come together when we weren't playing too well.''
When Hunter came on in relief of Mark Bernard, who was booted for fighting, the Admirals trailed 2-1 and had given up breakaway goals by Mike Taylor and Trevor Senn caused entirely by defensive breakdowns in the neutral zone.
It happened again when Taylor scored a shorthanded goal. Later, the Renegades converted on a power-play.
Other than that, Hunter was better than good and stoned Renegades sniper Scott Gruhl on three separate occasions, twice in the slot and once down low as the Admirals forced a shootout before losing 5-4.
Hunter, who was with the Admirals part of last season and was 3-5-1, played eight games for the Lakeland Prowlers in the Southern Hockey League this season, where he was 4-2-2 with a 4.05 goals-against average.
The Prowlers have loaned Hunter to the Admirals for three weeks, the expected timetable for regular Admirals goalie Corwin Saurdiff's return.
Saurdiff has battled colitis for six weeks, but is expected to begin working out with the team again on Tuesday.
``We knew Hunter could play hockey,'' Admirals coach John Brophy said. ``He showed everyone he could.''
LUMBERJACK NEWS: Don't expect to see defenseman Alexei Krivchenkov back in an Admirals uniform this week.
Krivchenkov, who was called up by the IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks for what was expected to be an emergency stint, headed to the West Coast with the Lumberjacks for games against San Francisco Wednesday night and Phoenix tonight.
``I understand they only have five healthy defensemen, what with callups and injuries,'' Admirals coach John Brophy said.
``We hope to get him back at some point, but he may be staying there.''
In 16 games with the Admirals this season, Krivchenkov had three goals, three assists and a gaudy plus-16 in plus/minus, indicative of how often your team scores and is scored against when you are on the ice.
SLAP SHOTS: Although ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly has spoken to all parties involved, the Admirals still have not received word on the length of Rod Taylor's suspension for allegedly slapping a puck at a referee last week. Taylor has missed four games already while being ``suspended indefinitely.'' . The Admirals Booster Club is holding a skate-around with Admirals players tonight at Haygood Skating Center from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $5 and those wanting to can bring their own in-line skates. by CNB