Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Finding their space

PHOENIX -- Space and speed tend to go hand-in-hand in hockey. The more space you have to work with to generate speed, the quicker you should be.

But since hockey isn't an exact science, the Thunder can only hope the 15 extra feet it gains in the neutral zone at the spacious Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum keeps its transition game going -- and keeps Las Vegas going into the second round of the International Hockey League's Turner Cup playoffs.

The Phoenix Roadrunners have tried virtually everything to slow down the Thunder. They've tried matching skill with skill, only to come up short in Game 1. In Game 2, Rob Laird opted for a more physical presence, and all that did was put his team in an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five series.

So what does Phoenix do now? Thunder coach Chris McSorley doesn't seem too concerned.

"We've got a lot of responsible professionals in our locker room and we're not going to change what we do," he said. "Rhythm is very important to any coach and right now, we've got all three lines hitting on all eight cylinders."

Laird may start Jamie Storr in goal tonight after Frederick Beaubien looked shaky in losing Game 2, 4-1 Monday. He also may return Mike Boback to the lineup in the hopes of bolstering the attack.

But he has to find a way to slow down Las Vegas' transition game, and he may not have the players or the space to do it.

"They had more size in a smaller building and they couldn't win with a banging style," McSorley said.

From the players' standpoint, it's more a matter of ending the series tonight and not having to play Game 4 Saturday.

"It's three out of five," said forward Guy Larose. "You don't want to give them a sniff. The name of the game is skating, and if we do what we do best, nothing can stop us."

Thunderbolts...

* HAWGOOD LONE ALL-STAR: The IHL announced its all-star teams Thursday and despite having the league's best overall record, the Thunder placed just one player -- defenseman Greg Hawgood -- on the first and second teams. Hawgood was a first-team selection.

* MOORE WILL PLAY: Thunder forward Blaine Moore skated Thursday (after missing a couple of days with a hyperextended knee and a pulled hamstring) and declared himself ready to go tonight. Coach Chris McSorley said Moore would be in the lineup and that he would probably keep things status quo. That means Darren Banks and Sasha Lakovic will play and Paul DiPietro and Gordie Mark will sit.

archive