THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310518
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 80 lines
NORFOLK - The last-place team in the East Division skated into Scope on Wednesday night and blew out the Hampton Roads Admirals.
Buoyed by three-goals in a two-minute span in the second period, the Roanoke Express rolled over the Admirals 6-3 before 5,289 fans, many of whom booed the home team before exiting early.
Admirals coach John Brophy, who had been patient as his team went 2-3-1 in its first six games, ran out of patience Wednesday.
``It was the worst game of hockey ever played at Scope,'' Brophy said. ``Anybody we didn't empty out of the stands didn't have a ride.
``Not one (bleeping) guy came to play hockey tonight. Not one.''
The Admirals looked fatigued and they probably were. They played at Charlotte on Tuesday and arrived in Norfolk at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday to complete a grueling 12-day, five-game road trip that took them to Lafayette, La., and back.
But neither Brophy nor the players would admit fatigue was a problem.
``It's nothing new,'' Brophy said. ``You go on a good road trip, come home and think it's gonna be a gift, so nobody plays.''
Added Admirals captain Randy Pearce: ``Roanoke had to drive here too. You have to be prepared to win games under any circumstances, and we weren't prepared.''
The game marked a second consecutive lackluster home performance from goalie Marc Seliger, who gave up four goals on 10 shots before being benched in the second period. He had given up four goals in the Admirals' home opener and was benched then, but had played well and had picked up a victory in a shootout at Pensacola on Sunday.
``I have no idea what happens with a goaltender from one game to the next,'' Brophy said. ``I think he was ready to play. I have no idea why the puck went into the net.''
The game marked a reversal of fortunes for both teams. After losing their opener to Charlotte 6-1, the Admirals (2-4-1) had rebounded on the road trip, going 2-2-1 and making much progress. Roanoke (2-4-1) had not won since its second game, and was playing without leading scorer Jeff Jablonski (sore throat) and veteran Tim Christian (shoulder injury).
But the Express brought size and muscle into Scope and quickly put them to use. There were three fights and numerous near-fights in the first two periods, must begun by Roanoke players who appeared determined to intimidate the Admirals.
``We knew we could have to stick up for ourselves tonight,'' Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone said. ``We did not want to be afraid.''
They were were unafraid in the second period, when they buried the Admirals with the three quick goals.
Eric Landry got things started by stealing a pass in front of the Admirals goal and wristing a backhander over Seliger at 10:36 to give Roanoke a 3-2 lead.
Defenseman Matt O'Dette made it 4-2 when Seliger blocked his shot but was unable to hold onto the puck, which dribbled into the net at 11:20.
Bobby Brown's power-play goal at 12:23 ended the outburst with Roanoke firmly in control 5-2.
``It's the first time we've had a real lead to hold onto this season,'' Anzalone said.
Hold on they did. Dominic Maltais slapped in the rebound of an Alex Alexeev shot at 13:44 on a power play to cut the lead to two, but the Express put the game out of reach at 10:55 of the third period on a Landry Breakaway.
``Give Roanoke credit,'' said Brophy, who is not usually prone to give credit to an opposing team. ``They scored some goals. They worked harder than us all over the ice.''
NOTES: Admirals player-assistant coach Rod Taylor was suspended by the ECHL for two games for allegedly kicking a player while trying to break free from two Pensacola defenders Sunday. Taylor denied kicking anyone and the Admirals will appeal the penalty. Taylor returns Friday when the Admirals host Richmond. . . . Defenseman Chad Ackerman scored his first goal of the season on a power-play slap shot and Pearce tallied his third. . . . The Admirals Hour call-in show will be heard tonight at 6:05 on WTAR 790-AM. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by L. TODD SPENCER/
[The Admirals' Dominic Maltais keeps his eye on the puck ...]
Photo
Hampton Roads' Joel Theriault, right, prepares to unload a left hook
on Roanoke's Bobby Brown during the Express' 6-3 win Wednesday. The
fight was one of many on the evening. by CNB