Thunder set for critical weekend

Tim Graham

Friday, March 20, 1998 | 9:31 a.m.

The Las Vegas Thunder has encountered many crossroads this season.

At times it chose the proper direction. At others it made a wrong turn.

But none of those intersections -- not even the one traversed after head coach Chris McSorley resigned two weeks ago -- might be as critical as the one oncoming.

The Thunder hosts the Southwest Division-leading Long Beach Ice Dogs at the Thomas & Mack Center tonight and Saturday at 7:05. It then heads to San Antonio to play the Dragons Sunday at 4 p.m.

When those games are complete, the Thunder will know how it handled the return of one standout and the troublesome departure of another.

In the lineup for the first time since Jan. 31 will be potent center Jesse Belanger.

But a valuable teammate will be unable to welcome him back. Defenseman David Shaw is indefinitely absent as he struggles with unraveling family ties. Shaw flew to Florida Thursday to be with his estranged wife and two daughters. He may not return.

"It's a situation that's tough to discuss," Thunder general manager Bob Strumm said. "He has some serious problems right now."

Strumm said Shaw may not be back.

Shaw, 33, was obtained from the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 19 and immediately made an impact. He recorded six goals, 13 assists and 19 penalty minutes in 26 games with the Thunder. Strumm even went so far as to call him "the best player in the IHL."

But from the day Shaw arrived in Las Vegas he hinted at retirement, stating this season could be his last.

"He's really confused," head coach Clint Malarchuk said.

"This is real life. Hockey is a great way to make a living, but so many times an athlete puts his job first before everything else. Sometimes you have to put everything into perspective.

"Hopefully, we'll see him back before the playoffs."

Belanger is hoping to fill the void.

"Belanger is the type of player that makes everybody around him better," Strumm said. "You've seen the record with him in our lineup as opposed to without him."

Las Vegas is 22-14-5 (.598) in games Belanger has played. It is 7-19-2 (.286) in games he hasn't played.

Belanger was leading the team in goals when he went down with a torn left knee ligament. In 41 games he had 26 goals and 28 assists. His +9 still leads the team.

Malarchuk intends to play Belanger on the second line between Joe Day and Trent McCleary tonight, leaving Russ Romaniuk on the first line with Patrice Lefebvre and Ken Quinney.

The Thunder also will welcome enforcing winger Barry Potomski to the lineup tonight. Potomski has been battling back injuries for much of the season and has played in only 23 games, registering one goal, two assists and 123 penalty minutes.

Thunderbolts

* NEW OUTLOOK: With his first coaching victories now behind him, new Thunder boss Clint Malarchuk claims his team is playing with renewed enthusiasm as the postseason approaches. "Everyone's feeling like we're turning the corner now, you know?" Malarchuk said. Las Vegas enters tonight's game on a two-game winning streak after taking games at Kansas City and Houston last weekend, virtually guaranteeing it the final Western Conference playoff slot over San Antonio. "Practices are a lot more positive," Malarchuk said. "We've installed confidence and hope in this team."

* SCORING FEVER: Right wing Patrice Lefebvre still leads the IHL in scoring with 99 points on 21 goals and a league-best 78 assists. His next point will give him his second 100-point season. With 13 games left, he has a shot to break his personal high of 114 points set in 1994-95. ... Lefebvre needs eight assists to crack the IHL's all-time top 10 list for assists in a season.