THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503040592
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Most of the Hampton Roads Admirals took the lecture with a grain of salt. Coach John Brophy opened his pregame talk Thursday in Johnstown by threatening to replace them by signing juniors, and most of the Admirals knew that was just Brophy's way of trying to light a fire under them.
But Tom Menicci, a rookie from Boston, had a different reaction.
``I'm a rookie,'' he said. ``I took it very seriously.
``I'm sitting on the end of the bench and don't want some over-age junior taking my place.''
That isn't likely to happen soon. Menicci scored a goal in Johnstown, only his sixth of the season, then scored the game-winner and added an assist Friday to help the Admirals rally past Raleigh, 5-3, before a Scope crowd of 8,815.
The victory gave the Admirals (33-22-6) 70 points, and thus assured them one of 16 ECHL playoff berths with eight games to go.
But now comes the hard part, said Brophy, whose team just completed an eight-game road trip.
``We're no place yet,'' Brophy said. ``We've got to finish in the top eight. We want to open (the playoffs) at home and we've got to be in the top eight to do that.''
Raleigh scored twice in the second period on power play goals to take a 3-2 lead. But the Admirals, whose scoring punch has been softened in recent weeks by personnel losses to injuries and call-ups, scored three unanswered goals in the third period.
Rob MacInnis, recently moved from defense to center, had two goals and an assist. Defenseman Ron Pascucci had his best offensive game since coming back from an ankle injury two weeks ago with a goal and three assists.
Goaltender Corwin Saurdiff, optioned to the Admirals on Thursday from Kansas City, had 30 saves ``and played great,'' Brophy said, especially in the second period, when the Admirals gave up four power plays.
Shamus Gregga played well in goal for the Admirals on the just-ended road trip, but Brophy said Saurdiff, who was 1-3 in Kansas City, will start in goal Sunday at Raleigh.
``The guy saved the game for us in the second period,'' Brophy said.
``He was like a rock.''
Rod Taylor salted the victory away at 17:21 of the third period by scooping up a loose puck just outside the right circle and firing a shot past goaltender Brad Mullahy. It was his 35th goal of the season, and came one night after he missed an open, empty-net goal from 15 feet.
Menicci, a defenseman last season at St. Anselm College, was moved to forward recently, and the switch has helped his game.
``He's got more confidence now,'' Brophy said. ``He's never had any problem handling the stick. He's just playing with more confidence.''
Especially after scoring two goals in two games.
``I feel like I've been playing better and I know I need to,'' Menicci said.
``I think we can go a long way and I want to be a part of this team in the playoffs.''
NOTES: Injured forward Matt Mallgrave, out for a month with a sprained ankle, will play next week, Brophy said. ``He's coming around and should be ready to go,'' he said. . . . The crowd of 8,815 was 85 short of a sellout. The Admirals have drawn 8,000 or more 14 times this season. ILLUSTRATION: D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Staff
Referees try to separate Raleigh's Spencer Meany, left, and Ron
Majic of Hampton Roads during the Admirals' 5-3 win.
by CNB