THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502180748
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
It's called ``the circus trip'' by the Hampton Roads Admirals - their annual two-week February road trip - because it is forced upon them each season by the arrival of the Ringing Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Scope.
The Admirals embarked on this year's circus trip, a 13-day, eight-game excursion, after Friday's 5-4 loss to Dayton. And, as usual, it will play a critical role in where they finish in the East Division standings.
Last season the Admirals were 6-1-1 on the circus trip, came home and won a game, then went on the road and wrapped up the East Division title with a 2-1 victory at Charlotte.
``It made our season,'' coach John Brophy said.
Two years ago the Admirals were 4-1-1 on the circus trip and pulled into second place in the East. Four years ago they clinched the East title by going 6-1-1 on the circus trip.
Having lost eight of 11 games since the ECHL All-Star break, the Admirals won't clinch any title this time. But Brophy says they must win most of their games in order to secure home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
The eight teams with the most points at the end of the regular season host first-round playoff games beginning Friday, March 24.
``This trip is going to be our whole season,'' Brophy said. ``I'm glad we're getting out of here because we haven't played consistently well. We've let a great opportunity go by. Hopefully we'll go on the road and do something about it. The road trip is a chance for our team to come together.''
The Admirals play at Roanoke tonight, then go to Huntington (Feb. 21), Dayton (Feb. 22), Wheeling (Feb. 24), Johnstown (Feb. 25), Columbus (Feb. 26), Erie (March 1) and Johnstown (March 2). The Admirals will bus back to Norfolk immediately from Johnstown, then play March 3 against Raleigh at home.
CAVANAUGH RETURNS: Virginia Beach resident Pat Cavanaugh, who played for the Admirals for two seasons ending in 1991, returned with Dayton Friday and had a rooting section of several dozen fans, including finacee Anita Jones and her parents, S.J. and Gloria Jones.
Several signs adorned Scope in his honor, including one that said: ``When Tempers Flare, Patrick's There.''
How true. Cavanaugh, a forward whose forte is quick fists, wasted little time putting them to use. He and Admirals forward Ron Majic were assessed majors for fighting just 28 seconds into the game.
Then late in the third period Cavanaugh attempted to goad Admirals forward Rod Taylor into a fight. Taylor declined, and stayed on the ice the rest of the game.
Cavanaugh, meanwhile, went to the penalty box for the rest of the game with a 10-minute misconduct penalty. by CNB