THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602170474
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF STORY
DATELINE: ERIE, PA. LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals shot nothing but blanks in a shootout Friday, but nonetheless had cause for celebration.
Victor Gervais, one of the most storied players in franchise history, made a surprise return for the Admirals and scored two goals in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Erie Panthers. Gervais is the Admirals' all-time assist leader with 190 and set a team record with 118 points in 1992-93. He played on the Admirals' ECHL championship teams in 1991 and 1992.
He returned to a team playing far short of championship form. Friday's loss was the sixth in a row and and the 11th in the last 12 games for the slumping Admirals.
It was the 20th shootout of the season for the Admirals, an ECHL record. The Admirals, 7-13 in the games, and didn't come close in the extra session, missing all four shots on goal. Aaron Goulet got the game-winner for Erie, which scored twice in the shootout.
Gervais has played most of the last 2 1/2 seasons with the IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks, but was sent to the Admirals Friday afternoon after being asked to be sent down because of a lack of ice time.
Gervais had 15 points in the first five games for the Lumberjacks, but injured his ankle, then had trouble cracking the lineup after Pittsburgh sent several NHL-contracted forwards to Cleveland. He has played only five games in the last seven weeks for Cleveland. In 35 games this season he had six goals and 19 assists.
``We told them that if he wasn't going to play for them, he'd be better off down here playing for us,'' said assistant coach Al MacIsaac, who coached the team Friday after John Brophy's 3-game suspension.
Gervais' assignment is temporary, but he said he'll be with the Admirals at least three games, which would be enough to qualify him to play for Hampton Roads in the ECHL playoffs, which begin in late March.
``Maybe I'll be back in the playoffs,'' he said. ``It all depends. If I'm not playing up there, I will ask to be sent back to Hampton Roads.
``It's been tough sitting out games when you're not injured. It was my decision to come down. I'm happy to be here. I've had the biggest smile on my face here that I have in a long time. It was great to put back on an Admirals uniform.''
Gervais wasted no time in making his presence known. After Dominic Maltais won a draw, Bob Woods slapped a shot that was blocked. Gervais then backhanded the puck top shelf to make it 1-0 at 4:06 of the first period.
Erie's Eric Germaine knotted the score at 16:07 with a power play goal. Brad Harrison gave Erie a 2-1 lead on a breakaway seven minutes into the second period.
Gervais then took a pass from Joel Poirier and knocked in his second goal at 17:32 of the second period to make it 2-2. Claude Fillion added an assist.
It likely was the last game for the Admirals in Erie. The Panthers probably are moving to Baton Rouge, La. by CNB