THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 12, 1996 TAG: 9602120138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHET FUSSMAN, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BIRMINGHAM, ALA. LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
On the night the Birmingham Bulls announced a new coach, they knocked off an old one.
Before last night's 4-2 victory over the Hampton Roads Admirals, the Bulls named Dennis Desrosiers, a former coach with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the International Hockey League, as their new head man. Desrosiers watched from the press box as defenseman Rob Donovan broke a 2-2 tie on a goal with 3:25 remaining in the game.
On the losing end was John Brophy, coach of the old Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association and Central Hockey League during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The loss extended the Admirals' losing streak to four games.
``They deserved to win the game, they worked harder,'' Brophy said. ``We played like horsebleep.''
The appointment of Desrosiers ends the brief coaching career of interim player-assistant Jerome Bechard, who won two of three games. Bechard replaced Phil Roberto, who was fired by team owner Art Clarkson six days ago.
It was ironic that Hampton Roads (25-16-12) was the Bulls' opponent Sunday night, Desrosiers noted, because in his first fight as a player, he squared off against none other than Brophy.
Asked who won that battle, Desrosiers said, ``I did, the way I remember it.''
Brophy didn't remember it at all.
``But I remember he was a very physical player,'' Brophy said. ``He's a good coach and I'm sure he'll help them.''
The first four goals of Sunday night's game were scored on the power play, two by each team. Bechard opened the scoring at 7:59 of the first period. Hampton Roads' Jeff Kostuch tied it 1-1 at 16:06.
The Admirals' next power-play chance came at 18:34 when Birmingham's John Joyce, playing without a stick, picked up the puck in his own zone and tossed it down the ice. Referee Paul Mariconda responded with a delay-of-game call.
The Admirals converted 23 seconds into the second period on a goal by Steve Richards. But Birmingham's Olaf Kjenstad tied the game 2-2 on a slap shot from the right point that sailed past Hampton Roads goaltender Mark Bernard.
Neither team scored in the third period until Donovan's game-winner, a rebound shot from in front of the net. Less than two minutes later, Joyce beat Bernard to clinch the victory. by CNB