Cheveldae’s homecoming

Tim Graham

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 9:28 a.m.

As head coach Chris McSorley awaits word on his NHL future, life goes on for the IHL Las Vegas Thunder.

While there was no news on McSorley's prospects to become an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, his Thunder prepared for its visit to the Palace of Auburn Hills, where it faces the Detroit Vipers today at 4:30 p.m. PST.

The Vipers are the reigning Turner Cup champions. But this game means more than a chance to beat the best for Thunder goaltender Tim Cheveldae.

Cheveldae will start in front of many of the same fans who came to know him as one of the NHL's top goaltenders.

Cheveldae played for the Detroit Red Wings from 1988-94. He was an NHL all-star in 1991-92, the season he led the league in victories with a 38-23-9 record and a 3.20 goals-against average. He went on in that postseason to post two shutouts in 11 games en route to turning in a 2.51 GAA.

"It means a little more than your average game," said Cheveldae, who also made NHL stops in Winnipeg and Boston before coming to Las Vegas. "It's a little extra special. You want to win a little more.

"I still have some friends here, and they're coming to the game, and a lot of people who are Red Wings fans come to the Vipers games. So you want to play well in front of them."

Cheveldae was asked what he expects to feel once he takes the ice.

"That's a good question," he replied. "It's been close to two years since the last time I played there, and since I always played in Joe Louis Arena and not Auburn Hills, it's a situation I've never been in.

"I'm going to try to get prepared as I normally would, but close to game time, before the puck drops, it will be a different feeling. The time I will think about it most will be during the national anthem."

The Thunder also made a trade Tuesday, acquiring diminutive defenseman Ilya Byakin from the San Antonio Dragons for future considerations.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Russian is considered a potent scorer. In 47 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993-94 and the San Jose Sharks in 1994-95, he recorded eight goals, 25 assists and 44 penalty minutes.

Byakin, 34, played six games for the Dragons this season, recording an assist and 10 penalty minutes. He spent 1996-97 with Malmo of the Swedish League, tallying 11 goals, 14 assists and 78 penalty minutes in 47 games.

He is expected to dress for the Thunder today.

To make room, the Thunder released defenseman Christian Lariviere, who in 10 games scored a goal and an assist against two penalty minutes.