RENEGADES NOTES

Vandermeer returns to practice session

There was a "new" player on the ice yesterday when Richmond went through practice drills at Skate Nation Plus in Short Pump.

Actually, it was one of the veteran guys, but Dan Vandermeer hadn't taken part in practice since suffering a broken arm and what was originally diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder Oct. 25.

Coach Brian Goudie was glad to see his defenseman back on the ice, going through his paces. And Vandermeer was happy to be skating again with the boys.

"It was good to get back out there skating around," Vandermeer said. "Get the legs back in shape and get my arm working a little bit better, and we'll be OK."

Vandermeer said because of the shape he was in and the lean condition of his shoulder socket, the doctors now believe he didn't suffer a dislocated shoulder. He's been undergoing rehabilitation for the past three weeks and will continue to do so for the time being.

Vandermeer will be eligible to come off the injured-reserve list Dec. 31 and could be ready to go for a game that night at Fayetteville.

"That's why he's skating right now," Goudie said. "See how it goes, how it progresses. We'll see where he's at in the next two weeks. Every day, he's feeling better and better. Hopefully, he'll be back for the first weekend in January, and we'll still have half the season left."

Kiyaga may be back for games in Columbus

Goudie is hopeful of having another defenseman, Arthur Kiyaga, back for this weekend's two-game series in Columbus, which begins Friday. Kiyaga has missed the past six games with what President and General Manager Allan B. Harvie Jr. calls a "team issue."

"We're banking on it anyway," Goudie said.

Kiyaga has been practicing with the club and is itching to return to the lineup. The Renegades have been playing with five defensemen, one short of the usual number.

Forward Matt Rogers, who has missed the past four games with a leg injury, should be able to play this weekend, Goudie said. Rogers played in two games before getting hurt.

Scott fills the bill as No.1 goaltender

The Renegades may have found a No.1 goalie in Ryan Scott, who went 1-1-1 with a goals-against average of 2.33 last weekend. His save percentage was a glittering .926.

Richmond has been searching for a regular goalie since Ryan Senft went down with a season-ending knee injury Nov. 28.

"He had a long trip from Amarillo [Texas to Huntsville, Ala., where he joined the team last Thursday]," Goudie said, "and then to get right in the pipes for a brand-new team wasn't easy.

"He likes playing the puck and he's confident doing it. That makes it that much better for the defensemen. He gives you a chance every night."

Scott is the sixth goalie the Renegades have used this year. - John Packett