Trio lifts LV in rout

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 | 10:12 a.m.

If it takes awhile for a player to get into the swing of a season, it looks as if Tom Nelson has turned that corner.

Nelson, a forward, has racked up three goals and four assists over the past five games, part of an overachieving Las Vegas Wranglers front line that includes center Greg Day and winger Chris Kenady.

All three had a big night for the Wranglers Tuesday as they combined for 10 points in Las Vegas' 5-1 win against Fresno at the Orleans Arena. The win propelled Las Vegas back into sole possession of first place in the ECHL's Pacific Division.

Kenady, Day and Nelson have combined for 28 points over the last week for Las Vegas. But while Day and Kenady have been consistently successful for the Wranglers, Nelson's output has been a recent boost. He scored three goals in a two-game stretch on last week's roadtrip.

Nelson started the hockey season back home in Wisconsin, jaded after his rookie year in the minor leagues and ready to take on a career in law enforcement.

But in October, Wranglers coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan got an e-mail from Nelson, just before his team's inaugural season was about to get underway.

"It was an interesting e-mail ... all coaches in this league get e-mails," Gulutzan said. "He had a very trying rookie season. I called Lowell about him, they really liked him. He seemed like a real class act, and I was happy to bring him on."

Last year with the Florida Everblades, Nelson suffered a broken nose, jaw and strained shoulder. That, and focusing on hunting, fishing, and policework instead of hockey over the summer and into the fall, has Nelson playing cautiously even through a much smoother season.

"It's always on my mind, waiting for the next stick to the face," he said. "I had a tough first month of the season. I'm just taking it step by step. I get more confidence the better I play, we got a win under our belt and now get back at it at home."

Kenady said he feels the success of that line is contagious.

"When you're struggling on the road, you're trying to lead," Kenady said. "When you get one guy going on the line, you can get everybody going. Everyone is going to follow suit."

But with that confidence, and the success that has come with it, comes higher expectations from Gulutzan.

"I expect him to be good," Gulutzan said of Nelson. "Once you show a coach what you can do, he expects you to do it every night."

But on Tuesday night, the Wranglers just wanted a win.

"It's very important (to win)," Kenady said. "Fresno is hurting right now. When those teams come into the building, you have to keep them from getting two points."