THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260660
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Corwin Saurdiff will be in goal tonight when the Hampton Roads Admirals host the Raleigh IceCaps, coach John Brophy said.
Saurdiff has been sidelined since Oct. 18, when he nearly collapsed with a bout of colitis following a 6-4 victory over Raleigh. Saurdiff was hospitalized for several weeks, but has been working out with the team since early December.
``He says he's ready to play,'' Brophy said. ``He will start and we'll see how things go.''
Saurdiff gave the Admirals a dose of national publicity last season when he became the fourth pro goalie to score a goal. The goal was replayed on national TV in the U.S. and Canada and his stick sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The Admirals also added defenseman Ron Pascucci to their roster. Pascucci, an ECHL All-Star last season, was optioned to Hampton Roads by the AHL's Portland Pirates.
Brophy made room for the two players by waiving veteran defenseman John Van Kessell, defenseman Rob Striar and forward Mark McFarlane. The Admirals were forced to drop three players to make way for two because of the ECHL's $7,500 per week salary cap.
BERGER BACK? Phil Berger, the former Greensboro Monarch most ECHL fans love to hate, is returning to the league. Berger was fired as coach Thursday by the West Palm Beach Barracudas of the Southern Hockey League after the team changed ownership.
``I need to play,'' said Berger, who was 19-16-1. ``I'll head up there soon.''
But where is ``there?'' Louisville owns his rights, but faxed a letter to the 20 other ECHL teams asking anyone interested in Berger to call.
Berger is a veteran, and the Admirals have room for a vet. But said Brophy: ``Berger? He's a good player. But I don't think I'm interested in Phil Berger.''
Berger's likely destination is Jacksonville, where the Lizard Kings are coached by former Greensboro coach Jeff Brubaker.
AROUND THE ECHL: Look for the ECHL to change its all-star format. Next season the host team likely will play the all-star team rather than having North and South division all-stars face off. The game has been plagued with poor attendance. Charlotte will host the game next season. ... Raleigh had its first sellout of the season last week thanks in part to Brubaker and the Greensboro News and Record. The IceCaps advertised Brubaker's return to North Carolina in the Greensboro newspaper, and between 500 and 1,000 fans made the 90-minute drive to the 5,700-seat Dorton Arena. ... The Admirals might make their last trip ever to Erie on Feb. 16. The Panthers have asked the ECHL for territorial rights to Baton Rouge, La., though they say they haven't made a definite decision to move, but want the rights just in case. The Louisiana IceGators, in nearby Lafayette, La., lead the ECHL in average attendance at 9,600 per game. by CNB