Shootouts icing for Wranglers fans

Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 | 8:08 a.m.

In a crease as crowded as an Empire State Building elevator at 5 p.m., Johnstown defenseman Tyler Kindle beat Las Vegas goalie Marc Magliarditi with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation Tuesday to tie their ECHL game at 4-4.

After a five-minute scoreless overtime, however, the Wranglers recaptured the two points awarded for a victory by winning a shootout, 2-1. ECHL teams that lose in overtime or a shootout get only one point.

Magliarditi stoned the last four shots he faced to win his first shootout of the season. Wranglers reserve 'keeper Mike McKenna is 2-0 in shootouts in 2005-06.

Shootouts, consisting of a series of penalty shots following a five-minute overtime period, continue to be a hot topic in hockey.

"I know we play a long season, but I wouldn't be against playing a four-minute, four-on-four, then a three-minute, three-on-three, then go to the shootout," Las Vegas coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan said. "But I like the shootout. I think games should be decided.

"Fans like it, and I think it's good for hockey."

That victory enabled the Wranglers (10-4-1, 21 points), who play the Roadrunners (5-9-2, 12 points) tonight in Phoenix, to stretch a winning streak to four games after losing a three-game series in Alaska.

"It's an entertaining way to finish a game," Wranglers center Chris Stanley said of the shootouts. "After two teams worked so hard for 65 minutes, it's a shame that someone has to lose.

"But the silver lining is that (the loser) will get a point."

Quit Thinking

Twice during Saturday's victory against Victoria at the Orleans Arena, Gulutzan pulled center Derek Edwardson toward him for a few words on the bench. In that game, Edwardson's streak without a goal hit seven games.

"Don't press. Don't think about it," Gulutzan told Edwardson. "Just kind of go and things will happen."

They did Tuesday, when Edwardson scored two third-period goals and converted in the second round of the shootout. Left wing Dan Tudin and right wing Darren Lynch most often complement a line with Edwardson in the middle.

"Our line's been playing great the last few games," Edwardson said. "Tonight, we finally got rewarded. We've had a lot of shots lately, and a couple finally went in."

Also Noted:

The NHL's Phoenix Coyotes have moved to a new arena in Glendale, opening America West Arena for a new -- er, old -- tenant.

Gulutzan said hockey, unlike other major sports, has no territorial rights.

"Cincinnati had AHL and ECHL teams at the same time," Gulutzan said. "Phoenix is an old IHL team, so it rekindles some rivalry with Utah and Las Vegas."

The Wranglers' shots on goal against Johnstown.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com