Tuesday, April 7, 1998 | 9:02 a.m.
With four games left in the regular season, the Las Vegas Thunder is like every other team in the IHL -- looking for any edge as it prepares for the playoffs.
A hot goaltender is the vanguard, of course. A big-time NHL stud like Petr Nedved entering the fold is a bonus.
But what about a 6-foot-1, 210-pound, 40-goal scorer with NHL experience? It certainly can't hurt.
The Thunder will inject just such a player into its lineup for the first time in 30 games at 7:05 tonight when it takes on the Southwest Division-leading Long Beach Ice Dogs at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Jeff Christian, who underwent surgery to repair a herniated lumbar disc in late January, will resume his role as the second-line left wing and power-play specialist.
"He came back quicker and looks better than I thought he would," Thunder head coach Clint Malarchuk said.
In 26 games for Las Vegas this season, Christian recorded 11 goals, 12 assists and 73 penalty minutes. Seven of his goals came on power plays.
Lower back pain dogged him all season, but a scuffle with Long Beach defenseman Dan Lambert on Jan. 24 further aggravated it. When Christian left the ice, he experienced numbness in his legs. It was feared he would be out for the season.
But Christian has practiced for three weeks and claims he is "about 90 percent," which is much better than many of the players the Thunder have brought in at 100 percent in an attempt to fill his void.
"I have to go in and get hit to see how it feels," Christian said. "I can't wait. I'm going to play right in front of the net just like I always do, crashing and banging."
Christian posted 40 goals, 40 assists and 262 penalty minutes last season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks. He also had two goals, two assists and 13 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Burlington, Ontario, native was assigned to Las Vegas this season after signing as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes, for whom he played one game. But even if he hadn't been injured, Christian doesn't believe he would have gotten his shot this season.
"It was obvious in training camp Phoenix had no plans for me," said Christian, who regains his free-agent status after the season. "It really was a bunch of bull.
"Phoenix never really figured into me wanting to return this season. I just wanted to get back and play well for the Thunder."
Thunderbolts
* FOUR TO SCORE: Las Vegas Thunder right wing Patrice Lefebvre is four points away from tying the team scoring record he set in 1995-96. He has 110 points on 26 goals and 84 assists with four games remaining. ... Lefebvre also tops the IHL in scoring. His nearest competition is Cincinnati's Todd Simon, who played for the Thunder in 1995-96. Simon is eight points behind with four games left. ... Thunder left wing Ken Quinney is eighth in league scoring with 90 points on a team-high 33 goals and 57 assists.
* DOTTED HIS EYE: Defenseman Brian Curran was struck by a puck above the right eye in practice Monday. Trainer Van Parfet sent him to an eye specialist for further examination, but Curran likely will play tonight.
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