THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512160420
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
All the Hampton Roads Admirals want for Christmas is to move into first place, and if they keep playing with the fire they displayed Friday at Scope, they might get their wish.
The Admirals got two goals apiece from three players and a stifling performance from their defense, and pelted Roanoke goalies with 47 shots to walk away with an 8-1 victory over the Express before a crowd of 6,970.
The Express had beaten the Admirals in shootouts two games in a row and came into Friday's action in third place in the ECHL's East, three points behind Hampton Roads.
The Admirals (14-3-9) trail first-place Richmond by five points.
``This was a must win for us, because a lot of guys on this team want to be in first place by Christmas,'' Admirals goaltender Mark Bernard said. ``We want to catch Richmond, but first we wanted to put some space between us and Roanoke.''
That mission was accomplished early. After taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, the Admirals blew the game open in the second period. Dominic Maltais scored at 19 seconds and again at 8:48 to make it 4-1. Sean Selsmer then slapped in a shot from the top of the circle at 15:00 to make it 5-1.
And the goals all came against Daniel Berthiaume, the NHL veteran and the most feared goalie in the ECHL. Berthiaume was lucky it wasn't worse, as referee Derek Woodworth waived off two apparent second-period Admirals goals.
With his team clearly down and out, Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone pulled Berthiaume in favor of Matt DelGuidice, another NHL veteran, in the third period. DelGuidice allowed three goals, including two from Kowalsky. Rod Taylor also had two goals for the Admirals.
This was a game clearly won by hustle. Admirals forwards were often allowed to skate unmolested through the Roanoke zone, while the Express generally found themselves knocked into the boards or onto the ice in the Hampton Roads end.
``They didn't beat us in any phase of the game,'' Admirals coach John Brophy said. ``We went out and skated them right off the ice.''
The Admirals got a scare early in the third period when Jason MacIntyre was hit in the mouth by a slap shot, was knocked out and fell face-first on the ice.
``The way he hit the ice, I thought he was dead,'' Kowalsky said.
But MacIntyre quickly recovered and, amazingly, came away only with a mild concussion and a badly bruised and swollen lip. Roanoke's Jason Clarke helped MacIntyre into the Admirals' dressing room, a sportsmanlike gesture that was quickly forgotten.
What had been a gentle game turned ugly in the third period when Roanoke's Jeff Jestadt speared Admirals defenseman Sergei Voronov.
Minutes later, a fight erupted near the Roanoke bench, resulting in a game misconduct for Admirals forward Ron Magic, a feared fighter who appeared to be urging Jestadt to come onto the ice and drop his gloves. Magic, playing in his first game since being sent down by Saint John of the American Hockey League, had a goal, and added some intimidation.
``Magic was the MVP of the game,'' Brophy said with a smile. ``When he came on the ice, half of the Roanoke players died of fright.'' ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Staff
With goalie Daniel Berthiaume out of his crease, Roanoke's Jon
Larson, right, keeps a tight rein on the Admirals' Rod Taylor.
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Staff
The Admirals' Sean Selsmer celebrates after scoring a second-period
goal. Three goals in that period blew the game open before a crowd
of 6,970 at Scope.
SUMMARY
STANDINGS
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB