THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511030650
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
In its first five seasons, the rivalry between the Hampton Roads Admirals and Richmond Renegades sporadically caught fire, but never burned brightly in part because the Renegades usually weren't very good.
But tonight, when the teams meet for the first time this season at Scope, coach John Brophy expects it will be a firestorm.
``Every time we go on the ice with them this season, it'll be a war,'' said Brophy, whose Admirals host the Renegades at 7:30, then travel Saturday to the Richmond Coliseum.
``I say it's time to get at it. This is a big weekend.''
Not so long ago the Renegades were considered the Admirals' poor sibling. Hampton Roads won ECHL championships in 1991 and 1992 and has dominated its series with the Renegades - the Admirals are 29-19-5 against Richmond.
But last season the Renegades stocked up on high-priced players, including former NHL All-Star Rod Langway and former International Hockey League star Scott Gruhl, won the East Division title and then the ECHL playoff championship.
The Admirals continued their domination of Richmond, going 7-3-2 against the Renegades. But they finished fourth in the East and were knocked from the first round of the playoffs by Tallahassee, an expansion team.
``A lot of the guys from last season are ticked off about getting beat like we did in the playoffs,'' Admirals forward Trevor Halverson said. ``We want to set things right this season.''
So do Brophy and Admirals president Cullen, who signed new working agreements with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cleveland of the IHL and the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates. The agreements brought in 11 contracted players, and have resulted in a 4-1-2 start.
Restocked with talent and again led by Gruhl, Richmond comes in 7-0-0, and, so far, appears to be the class of the ECHL. Richmond is first in the East with 14 points, the Admirals are tied for second with Roanoke with 10.
The Renegades embarrassed the Admirals 7-2 earlier this season in an exhibition game in Richmond, but said Brophy: ``We didn't have our team together then. We're a different team now.''
Thanks to the rejuvenated Renegades, the rivalry is different, too.
``Richmond is probably our biggest rival now,'' Cullen said.
And that makes the Renegades an appropriate opponent tonight. It is the Admirals 200th regular-season contest at Scope and they will celebrate with a short pregame ceremony honoring Norfolk city officials - mayor Paul Fraim, Scope director Bill Luther and assistant director John Rhamstine.
The Admirals also will honor a randomly selected fan, who will represent the 1.6 million who have come to Scope since the team was formed in 1989. by CNB