By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer
For the second time since joining the FireAntz on Jan. 2, forward Ryan Kiley has been named the South East Hockey League's player of the week.
Kiley, a native of Reading, Mass., scored five goals and had two assists in three games last week, including a hat trick in a 3-2 overtime win at Winston-Salem last Saturday.
This is also the second straight time the FireAntz have earned the SEHL's weekly honors. Last week, David Bagley was player of the week while Kevin Fines was named the top goalie.
Mo better practice
With coach Scott Rex in Raleigh taking his son to the airport for the trip back home to Canada, veteran defenseman Mike Maurice was in charge of practice Tuesday.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be a spirited workout, not the "Special Olympics," as Rex likes to refer to less-than-productive practice sessions.
"It was kind of nice," Maurice said. "Sometimes late in the season when you've done all your drills and all your systems are in, it's good to just have a fun skate every now and then. And this was one of those times."
After the routine 90-minute skate, which consisted of some drills to help warm up the goalies and a scrimmage, many of the players rewarded themselves by heading out to the golf course for 18 holes.
The FireAntz have been practicing at Fort Bragg all week because of a military show scheduled at the Crown Coliseum.
Feeling his pain
On Wednesday, Winston-Salem's Mike LaZazzara became the first coach in the SEHL this season to be fired.
It was hardly an unexpected move, considering LaZazzara's three suspensions and the TBird's 2-15 record since Jan. 1. But that didn't make the news any happier for Rex, whose job was in jeopardy as recently as three weeks ago.
"You hate to see that happen, but in this business, every coach gets fired at some point," Rex said. "I'll give him a call and wish him the best. He's one of the brothers."
Rink back on ice
Defenseman Tim Rink is expected to return to action this weekend after missing three of the last five games with a concussion.
Rink was originally injured in a game against Huntsville on Jan. 29. He sat out the game against Winston-Salem the next day.
Although he returned for the next two games, the rookie from Pennsylvania reported dizziness and nasuea and was held out for the home-and-home series with the TBirds on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday special
In addition to the special Valentine uniforms and the return of former Fayetteville Force star Darren McLean, other promotions planned for Saturday's game include an appearance by WWE wrestler Sgt. Slaughter, noise clappers, courtesy of Time Warner Cable and a special interactive military display.
Sgt. Slaughter will begin signing autographs on the concourse level at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for fans with their own items to be signed or $10 for a signed 8 x 10 color photo.
For more information, contact the FireAntz at 321-0123.
Web posted on Feb. 13, 2004
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