DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 1997          TAG: 9711190725

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - HARRY MINIUM

                                            LENGTH:   54 lines

ADMIRALS REPORT

Attendance is up

even though tickets

cost more this year

NORFOLK - Despite the steepest ticket-price increase in franchise history, the Hampton Roads Admirals have seen a significant increase in ticket sales this season.

Through seven games, the Admirals are averaging 7,262, 782 more per game than they averaged through seven games a year ago.

The Admirals are third in the league behind Louisiana (11,850) and South Carolina (7,427), but well ahead of Charlotte (5,815), which has traditionally outdrawn Hampton Roads.

Business manager Brian Kelley cautions that the figures include one more weekend date than the Admirals had at this time last season.

``Nonetheless, we're very pleased,'' he said.

Single-game tickets went from $8 a seat to $10 for most seats and to $9 and $8 for others. Season-ticket prices increased only slightly and include deep discounts.

Kelley said an increase in season-ticket sales and heavy promotions of early games help account for the increase.

The Admirals averaged 6,824 last season, the second-lowest in their eight seasons. They figure to do far better this season since attendance usually increases after Christmas.

Depleted Admirals happy

to welcome a new player

Ryan Mougenal, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound left wing who had 71 points last season in Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League, has been assigned to Hampton Roads by Cleveland of the IHL and is expected to play tonight when the Admirals host Johnstown.

``We don't know if he'll be here for just a cup of tea or for the long haul,'' Admirals general manager Al MacIsaac said. ``We're just happy to have him.''

That's because the Admirals' already depleted lineup - they played two players short of the 18-man limit against Louisville last weekend - was further reduced Tuesday when veteran Rod Taylor departed to attend the funeral of his grandfather and goalie Jason Saal was recalled by Portland of the AHL.

Forward Ron Majic is also suspended for tonight's game for having become involved in an altercation at Johnstown last month.

Portland reassigned defenseman Jason Mansoff to the Admirals and the team added Virginia Beach resident John Mewhart to the roster as an emergency backup goalie.

Mewhart, an Old Dominion graduate and local amateur player, filled in briefly for the Admirals and several other ECHL teams last season.

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