THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 1, 1996 TAG: 9601010126
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
After being soaked with beer thrown from fans in three arenas this season, Al MacIsaac decided Saturday that he wasn't going to take it anymore. And as a result, the Hampton Roads Admirals' assistant coach has been suspended indefinitely by ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly.
MacIsaac and head coach John Brophy apparently were arguing with referee Derick Woodworth outside the locker rooms between the second and third periods of the Admirals' 6-3 loss at Roanoke when, he said, a fan threatened to douse him with beer.
Witnesses say MacIsaac walked about 10 feet, then took two steps up some stairs toward the fan, where they exchanged harsh words. A security guard put his hand on MacIsaac's chest and ordered him to halt. MacIsaac did not get close to the fan, witnesses say.
MacIsaac said Woodworth then told him: ``Don't even bother going back on the bench.''
MacIsaac learned Sunday morning that Kelly had suspended him indefinitely, based on Woodworth's report.
Kelly attended the Admirals-Charlotte game Sunday but declined comment. MacIsaac, however, had plenty to say.
``I'm no longer going to take this. I've been doused three times with beer this year, in Roanoke, Huntington and Richmond,'' he said. ``I'm going to defend myself until officials stand up from a security point of view for the visiting teams.''
Brophy was drenched with beer Dec. 23 in Roanoke, an incident MacIsaac said the fan Saturday night made reference to.
``The guy said, `You're next, MacIsaac, you're going to get hit,' '' MacIsaac said. ``I never got close to the guy, but I made it clear if I did get near to him, he'd better run and run like hell.
``In Hampton Roads, we have a tarp that protects visiting players from anything that could be thrown, and our security people are first-rate. South Carolina has a very similar situation. Why can't they protect visiting players and coaches in other arenas?''
Admirals president Blake Cullen said he expects Kelly to lift the suspension by Wednesday's home game with Raleigh. If the suspension isn't lifted by then, the Admirals likely will protest. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Al MacIsaac exchanged words Saturday with a fan who threatened to
douse him with beer.
by CNB