NICOLOSI, #99, RESIGNS; PIRATES MISS PLAYOFFS
Team to seek replacements in summer '99 'rebuilding' season

After 2 years of play, three trips to the finals and one league
championship, number 99 of the Coastal Pirates is hanging up his skates.

Russ Nicolosi, defensemen, and most recently captain, of the
longest-running franchise in Eatontown league history, has had enough
and will not return to the Eatontown league next season.

The resignation was official Monday morning after Nicolisi phoned team
goalie and assistant captain, Harris Siegel, and left a message saying
'I've enjoyed playing with you, you are a gentleman, but I've had
enough.'

Nicolosi's move was not completely a surprise, however, as Sunday night
he was ejected in the final moments of the Pirates-Wolfpack game.

The scene occurred with the Pirates trailing 4-2 with 3 minutes left and
in a must-win situation to stay alive in the playoff race. Nicolosi lost
his temper and yelled at the referees who had let over a minute of time click
off before dropping the puck for a crucial face-off in the Wolfpack's zone.

Nicolisi continued to yell at the refs to begin, but they didn't, and
his anger grew culminating in his using profanity - and ultimately -
being ejected.

After Niclosi left the rink, escorted by league director Wayne Novonty,
the Pirates rallied back for two late goals to tie the Wolfpack. The tie
cost the Wolfpack the number 1 playoff seed, but wasn't enough for the
Pirates who missed the 8th playoff spot by 2 points.

'See what happens when you play hockey and focus on the game?' Harris
told teammates in the final seconds after their 2-goal barrage.

Shortly after Nicolosi's resignation, Harris announced that the Pirate
franchise will no longer tolerate profanity directed at officials. The
announcement read: 'Any Coastal pirate caught using profanity of any
type against referees will be thrown off the team. Period.'

The Pirates will also be without defenseman Brian Smith next season
because he'll be attending boot camp. Smith, who led the team in goals,
missed the final game as well. Smith is scheduled to rejoin the team in
September, however.

'We had a great run with Russ and I'm sorry to see him leave,' Harris
said. 

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