Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.
Wranglers forward Eric Schneider has a point to make. Even though he's struggled at the Triple-A level, including his most recent stint last week, he has the ability to dominate stat sheets at the Double-A level.
He makes his point just about every night.
In fact, Schneider, 26, has averaged a point a game for the Wranglers since being released from Utah Nov. 14. His impact has been so noticed that the Triple-A San Antonio Rampage signed him for three games last week, while the Wranglers were on a break.
"Last year, I spent half the year in San Antonio ... I told them I'd come for the weekend, but I wanted to be back Sunday in Fresno," Schneider said.
Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan, who was honored in a pregame ceremony Sunday before the Wranglers' 6-3 win at Fresno, said he wasn't sure if Schneider would make it in time for the game.
"We were looking for him. I couldn't get ahold of him," Gulutzan said. "He'd taken a cab from the airport ... I met up with him in the trainer's room, he fell asleep on a massage table."
Schneider came out to the ice after his 45-minute nap and scored two goals and one assist.
It's Schneider's speed that makes him a goalie's worst nightmare when he gets to the open ice.
"(In college), I was training two to three times a week, working on my leg strength," he said. "I feel a lot stronger. During the summer, I work on my abs and legs. I want to be faster each year."
Schneider is in his fifth year as a pro, and had two 70-point seasons with the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs. But his last season was by far his best. In 44 games with the CHL's Laredo Bucks, Schneider racked up 81 points with 38 goals. He logged only 20 penalty minutes in the season.
Schneider started this season with Utah, and struggled in his eight games with the Triple-A Grizzlies. But before the season started, Schneider put in a call to Gulutzan, who is also the team's GM.
"I signed him in late September. He was a free agent in Utah's camp ... when they didn't sign him to a year contract, we had his ECHL contract," Gulutzan said.
"I wanted to be in Las Vegas ... it was the best fit for myself and my family," Schneider said. "Why not be able to come and live here for a winter?"
The timing for Schneider's arrival couldn't have been better for the Wranglers. His production stepped up right as Las Vegas center Greg Day was called up, creating a void in the offense. It was a void that Schneider filled quickly.
"No question that helped us out, it was a big part of getting us back on track," Gulutzan said. "He's been a leader offensively, and defensively he's getting comfortable. Hopefully, if Greg comes back, our average will go from three goals a game to maybe four."
Schneider said the biggest adjustment for him to make after coming to Las Vegas was getting his poise.
"I lot of it has to do with being confident,"Schneider said. "In my first few games in Las Vegas, I wasn't playing very confidently. The last few games, I've been confident enough to get on the net, and beat guys wide."
The Wranglers beat the Ice Dogs 4-1 at Long Beach Nov. 8, but Gulutzan said he's a little concerned his team will let down their guard for tonight's game.
"It's always a concern," he said. "Long Beach is a hard team to play, and anything can happen."
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