THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411190610
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Shamus Gregga, one of the Hampton Roads Admirals' most popular if least-used players, was cut Friday to make way for newcomer Corwin Saurdiff.
The Toronto native was the backup to Mark Michaud last season, compiling a 3-2-1 record as a rookie for Hampton Roads, including a 5-2 victory at Charlotte that clinched the East Division for the Admirals.
He was expected to be in goal for Hampton Roads this season, but appeared in just five of the Admirals first 13 games, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.83 goals against average.
He lost the starting job this season to Patrick LaLime, a rookie from Quebec.
Admirals coach John Brophy says he will try to place Gregga in another league, probably the Colonial or Sunshine.
``He deserves to play,'' Brophy said.
``He's heartbroken. He wants to play, and he deserves to. He's worked hard, and he's got some talent.''
The Admirals were last in the league in goals allowed entering Friday's game with Charlotte with 61 in 13 games. But Brophy acknowledged that Gregga was in part a victim of poor defensive play by his teammates, who have often allowed opponents uncontested shots.
``The guy can play goal, no question about that,'' he said. ``It's unfortunate we got off to a poor start.
``Sometimes when you're off to a poor start you have to make a move, and often it's the goaltender you have to change.''
Gregga declined comment, other than to say he will meet with Brophy at 11 a.m. today.
``He wants to talk to me,'' Gregga said. ``He said he's going to try to work out something for me.
``I hope he can. I want to play.''
HOCKEY LESSONS: Pete Michaud, radio voice of the Admirals, has begun a series called Inside Hockey that will air on WTAR between the second and third period of each road game.
Michaud will focus on one aspect of the game in detail with help from the Admirals, the Admirals coaches and even ECHL officials.
``It's not intended just for novices,'' Michaud said. ``We're doing this as much for experienced hockey fans as for new hockey fans.''
Tonight's Inside Hockey episode will be on the history of the puck.
RIP THE REFS: Greensboro coach Jeff Brubaker isn't one to mince words. Brubaker, whose Monarchs host the Admirals tonight at 7, had this to say following Greensboro's recent 6-4 victory over Hampton Roads: ``The thing that really bothers me is that most of the referees in this league just won't leave the damn game alone. They have to be a factor in every damn game.
``On any given night, only half of those calls would be made by National Hockey League officials. The NHL supervisors say the biggest problem in training young officials is that they over-involve themselves.
``They totally cheapen the power plays, there's a power play a minute. It's bloody ridiculous.
``On an average night with an average amount of hostility, if it's a good clean hockey game, there should be two or three power plays for each side.'' by CNB