Rockville, Md., Apr. 29 (ANS*) You can call Admirals goalie Gary Smith "The Terminator." You can call him "The InSmitterator." Or you can call him just "Gary" or "Smitty." But there's one thing you have to call him and all of the Washington Admirals: league champions.

The Washington Admirals took to the ice Thursday night for the league championship against their toughest opponent from the regular season, the Baltimore Admirals, and when time expired in the third period, Washington had done something that they had never done before: beat Baltimore, and in the process, claim the league title.

In perhaps the finest game played in the league this season, for any two teams, Washington's defense shut down Baltimore at both ends of the ice and all points in between for a nail-biting 2-1 victory. The regular season contests between the two could hardly predict the outcome of this one.

In their two regular season meetings, Baltimore outscored Washington by a combined total of 9-3. Baltimore also had registered goals in five out of six periods, while their D.C. namesakes had scored in just two.

But, as the old saying goes, everything goes out the window in the playoffs, and what came in instead was a highly-charged Washington defense topped off with Smith's phenomenal goaltending, particularly in the game's waning moments.

The foundation for the Washington victory was actually laid in the locker room before the game's opening face-off. The Admirals presented Smith with a team sweater and socks in recognition of his efforts throughout the season. Under Hockey North America rules, goalies are not required to have the same uniform sweater as the regular players.

Washington had more than a few scares throughout the game, particularly in the first period when D Lyle Stalter and W Pat Christmas were both in the penalty box, creating a five-on-three advantage for Baltimore. Having one player in the box actually worked to Washington's advantage, as both scores came when the Admirals were shorthanded.

The first came with 8:46 remaining in the opening period, when D Mike Sullivan took an assist from C Frankie Orange and put the puck into the yawning left side of the net. Baltimore did not stay down for long, however, and they responded with a power play goal with 2:20 to go.

Although there was no scoring in the second period, there was certainly a heightened intensity throughout game play. Washington looked particularly in trouble during the final three minutes, when no amount of effort could help them escape and especially fierce Baltimore press. Both teams' offense was unusually weak, with Baltimore registering five shots-on-goal while Washington could muster only three. It was also during this period that both teams' defense was particularly strong, as the low shot total shows.

The third period began much the same way the second period ended, but when Admirals D Karl Hedgepath went into the penalty box at 12:54 on a controversial tripping call, a sinking feeling crept across the Washington bench. No one bothered to tell the Washington on-ice players that, though.

Mike Sullivan had a habit all season long of trying to defy conventional wisdom when playing shorthanded by moving the puck into the attacking zone rather than dumping it the length of the ice to kill time. It had worked once before, and earned him the Admirals' first score. In the third period, he did it again, this time accompanied by W Chris Selario and W Steve Gaskins. The trio descended on the Baltimore net, and after an intense skirmish, Gaskins backhanded the puck into the net to give the Admirals a 2-1 lead. It would mark Gaskins' third game winning goal of the season.

Both teams played with an almost amazing intensity throughout the remainder of the game. Each time Baltimore mounted an attack, a Washington player would appear to derail, even slightly, whatever chance there was for a score. If he made it through, he then had to face Smith, who had a career night of stops, catches, swats and freezes, especially in the game's closing minutes.

With just over one minute remaining, Baltimore pulled its goalie to give them a six player on-ice advantage. Gaskins almost registered an open-net tally, but Baltimore regained and attempted to score again. A critical interception by Washington W Ben Russell sent the puck into the neutral zone, forcing Baltimore to clear and regroup. When they re-entered, they encountered Stalter and D Will Gaskins, and then Hedgepath and D Brady Duncan who caused more than a few cases of frustration of their own. With ten seconds to go and the puck near the net, the benches were all on their feet and all 11 on-ice players converged on the puck. It worked free from the mob to behind the net, and when time expired, it was Smith who got mobbed by his teammates.

Whether because of emotion or physical exertion, or perhaps because of both, the two teams were drained when the final buzzer sounded, then lined up to give each other well-deserved congratulations. The Washington Admirals collected their championship trophies from Hockey North America administrator Doug Updegrove, and immediately began making plans for the summer season.