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February 29, 2004 Generals blow lead, coach blows stack Checkers - 6 Generals - 5 BY KEITH TOLBERT Special to the News & Record 
Greensboro's Derik Crmin (left) celebrates his assist to Matt Chandler (right) as the Generals tie the score at 1 in the first period against Charlotte Checkers goalie Scott Meyer. H. Scott Hoffmann / News & Record GREENSBORO - Despite losing 6-5 to the Charlotte Checkers in front of an announced crowd of 10,981, Greensboro Generals coach Rick Adduono didn't spend a lot of time talking to his team after the game. Instead he went right to the videotape to review the officiating. "I don't hold my team totally responsible for tonight's loss," Adduono said. "There's got to be accountability. If I have to be accountable as a coach, I expect other people to be accountable." Adduono was unhappy with the officiating from the start, and at one point he stood on the bench to scream at the referee. After the game, Adduono chased the officials to their dressing room. The coach had to be restrained by members of the Generals' staff. "For the most part, I've been quiet this year. But it's the same stuff game after game," Adduono said. "We're trying to save a franchise here, and we're not asking for any special favors. Charlotte played a good game. If we lose fair and square, I've got no complaints." Adduono said he was warned by the referee, Chris Brown, that the officials would watch the Generals closely for cross-checking and stick work in front of the net. Adduono said he doesn't know why his team was singled out because they are not one of the more physical teams in the league. "It was still an entertaining game, but when the outcome is determined ... ," Adduono said. "They could give me a gross misconduct for what I did." The trouble started early. The Generals were called for high-sticking in the first three minutes, and while they were trying to kill that penalty they were called for having too many men on the ice. Adduono said the high-sticking call was a mistake because the Checkers' player was hit by his own teammate. The coach claimed the Generals had all their men on the bench when the other penalty was called. The Checkers took advantage of the five-on-three advantage when Chad Wilchynski whistled a slap shot by Generals goalie Daniel Berthiaume for the 1-0 lead. 
Greensboro Generals fans cheer the team during Saturday night's game against the Charlotte Checkers. The game drew a crowd of 10,981. H. Scott Hoffmann / News & Record "They scored on two five-on-threes," Adduono said. "It was much like one of our games last year against Atlantic City when we spent the first 14 minutes killing penalties. We could have played better, but we exhausted a lot of energy early." The Generals fought their way back in the first period to score two unanswered goals. The first came when Derek Crimin battled for a loose puck in front of the Checkers' net and Scooped it to Matt Chandler for the score. About three minutes later, Matt Elich went flying behind the net and sent a perfect centering pass to Kurt Drummond for a 2-1 lead. But the Checkers scored two more goals in the final five minutes of the period, one on a power play, to take back the lead at 3-2. The Checkers built a 6-4 advantage in the third period, the last goal coming on a fluke shot with Charlotte in a power play. The Checkers' Richard Keyes sent a crossing pass toward the left side, but it was deflected by two Generals defenders and went past Berthiaume. Adduono said the Generals defense was not what it should have been and he is stifi looking for help. The trade deadline isn't until March 16. "Honestly, I'm looking for anybody that I think can help us and will fit within our salary cap," Adduono said. "(An) 18-13 (record) at home is not good enough. We can't fool around at this point." GENERALS REPORT Checkers - 6 Generals - 5 Insider Site: Greensboro Coliseum. Why the Generals lost: The Generals gave up three power-play goals and, despite several comeback attempts, weren't able to tie the game late. Stars: Greensboro - Kurt Drummond one goal, one assist, Mike Bayrack one goal, Geno Pamsh three assists. Charlotte - Chad Wilchynski two goals, Richard Keyes two goals. The play: With the Generals trailing 5-4, the Checkers had a man advantage. A crossing pass was deflected by two Generals and found the back of the net for a 6-4 Checkers' lead. What they said: "It was the same stuff (the officiating) the other night, but we got lucky enough to win (Thursday).~ - Rick Adduono, Generals coach. Records: Greensboro 33-23-1-67. Charlotte 29-21-7-65. |