When the Richmond Renegades lost their fifth straight game the day after Christmas to fall to 7-12-2 and deeper into the Southern Professional Hockey League cellar, it didn't call for any holiday celebrations.

But there wasn't any panic in Brian Goudie's demeanor either, and the first-year coach has directed the Renegades to a remarkable turnaround.

"The bounces just weren't going our way," Goudie said. "We outplayed every team through the first 12 games, and we should have maybe lost one of them. Instead we were 6-6. Sometimes, new team, new players, it takes a little time to jel or bond together.

"Certain guys had roles put on them that they never had before. Like [Donald] Melnyk wasn't used to playing defense. Now he's held a little more accountable out there. He's one of my best penalty killers. [Tyler] Schremp the same thing. They had to change their game and help out."

Heading into tonight's (7:35) game against Huntsville at the Coliseum, Richmond (18-13-2) has won nine in a row and 11 of 12 in making a run at first-place Knoxville (19-12-4).

CORE GROUP: Players were coming and going for a while, as Goudie and Allan B. Harvie Jr., president and general manager, tried to find the right pieces of the puzzle.

Leading scorer Danny White left for Slovenia in late December, and goaltender A.J. Bucchino, who was leading the league in goals-against average, joined Rio Grande Valley (Central League). Richmond's two tough guys, Mat Goody (suspension) and Denis Sicard (injury), were out of the lineup.

"I don't see too many changes really," Goudie said. "I look at my core guys from the start of the year. I have 10 guys from the start of the year. We had some guys go up [to higher leagues]. Nathan Oke went up. Brett Needham went up. Whitey went to Europe. That's minor-league hockey."

Since White left, forward Andre Gill has been the biggest contributor, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists in 10 games.

"When Whitey left, we all knew we had to collectively step it up," Gill said. "Our team has a lot of confidence now. We're putting pucks in the net. We're playing solid defensively. [Goaltender Ryan] Senft is playing unbelieveable. We're all coming together. Playing more as a team.

"He [Goudie] made it seem like [losing] wasn't a big deal. He told us we were playing well, just not getting the bounces, and eventually it was going to happen for us. When Whitey left, he never made a big deal out of that either."

DEFENSE FIRST: A former defenseman, Goudie has emphasized the importance of the back line all year, and it finally seems to be sinking in. During the winning streak, Richmond has allowed an average of only two goals.

"Defense and the power play are two big things that we've addressed," defenseman R.C. Lyke said. "The power play is rising among the top teams in the league. Penalty kill as well. In our opinion, we have the best defensive corps in the league by far. I'd take our 'D' corps and play in the [East Coast League] or United League, and we'd be very effective."
Contact John Packett at (804) 649-6313 or jpackett@timesdispatch.com.