Linesman ices Thunder

Tim Graham

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The goal that wasn't evolved into the game that wasn't.

A goal that would have given the Las Vegas Thunder a 3-0 lead in the third period of their IHL game against the Long Beach Ice Dogs at the Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday night was nullified because of a controversial penalty call.

The consequence was an Ice Dogs goal on the ensuing power play, which put them in position to eventually tie the game and win in a shootout, 3-2.

"It's too bad it took a tremendously incorrect call from a linesman to dissolve our lead that we justifiably built," said Thunder head coach Chris McSorley, who could only watch as a victory over the Western Conference's best team slipped through his fingers.

The disputed penalty came at 6:40 of the third period, just as Las Vegas defenseman Kevin Dahl fired a shot from the point that ricocheted off the backside of center Joe Day and past Long Beach goaltender Tom Draper. The red lamp glowed and referee Mike Hasenfratz signaled the goal.

Just to Dahl's right, however, Long Beach's Dave Smith was curled up and bleeding on the ice. Smith had been chopped in the face by the stick of Las Vegas' Ken Quinney.

Linesman Jon Constantine, a frequent official at the T&M, considered the act malicious and whistled Quinney for a high-sticking match penalty and a game misconduct before the goal went in.

But by both players' accounts, the whack was accidental.

"I was going up to the point and I held Quinney up with my stick," recounted Smith, whose left eye was a ghastly shade of purple, swollen shut with eight stitches above and six more below. "He was falling back and his stick came up and caught me over the eye. It was an accident."

Which is what Quinney tried to explain as a gory Smith was escorted to the Ice Dogs' dressing area.

"Smith says it's accidental. Ken Quinney says it's accidental. But Jon Constantine, whose 50 feet away says it's intentional," McSorley said.

Constantine refused comment after the game.

With Quinney in the penalty box, the Ice Dogs converted their only power play in nine attempts when center Domenic Pittis broke up Thunder netminder Parris Duffus' shutout bid at 9:57.

"That certainly was the turning point of the game," said Ice Dogs coach John Van Boxmeer, who recorded his 400th career victory. "We got a reprieve."

Just over three minutes later, defenseman Brad Tiley tied it at 2 after a fine pass from Pittis fooled Duffus.

In the shootout, only Andrei Bashkirov scored for Las Vegas. Victor Ignatjev, who assisted on both goals in regulation, and Martin Hamrlik scored for Long Beach.

After the game, Thunder co-owner Ken Stickney went out of his way to assess the performance not only by Constantine, but also by the other linesman, Gerry Collins.

"You can quote me on this: Collins is f------ crooked," Stickney said, claiming Collins blew several offsides calls. "Collins has officiated his last game here. I'll see to it."

Earlier in the season, Collins told the league office that Thunder winger Darcy Loewen punched him during a game, but video replays proved Collins wrong.

The Thunder opened scoring 45 seconds into the second period when defenseman Steve Bancroft scored his ninth goal of the season. Patrice Lefebvre and Quinney assisted.

At 6:03 of the third, the Thunder went up 2-0 as Day and Bashkirov teamed up for a stellar goal. While shorthanded, Day stole the puck and weaved through the congested neutral zone. After the two traded passes to avoid traffic, Day again found Bashkirov, who ripped a shot from the point over Draper's left shoulder.

The play marked Bashkirov's third goal and Day's second assist. Both played their first games with the Thunder last week.