Hambly skating on the plus side

Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 | 8:28 a.m.

As much as Wranglers defenseman Tim Hambly wanted to discount statistics in the name of team victories, he had to admit that he takes great pride in his plus-minus rating of +13, which leads the team.

"It's always been a personal goal," he said, " to have a high plus-minus."

When a player is on the ice and his team gets a goal, that's a positive point in his plus-minus. When a player is on the ice and his team allows a goal, it's a negative notch.

Hambly, 22, leads ECHL rookies in plus-minus, and he is a point or two away from cracking into the league's top five.

"It's somewhat of a good indicator," he said. "Playing defense, obviously you want to keep the puck out of the net at even strength, at least. At the same time, I've been out there for some goals that I really haven't played much of a part in.

"It's always good to have that higher, and not in the negative."

He's too modest. Hambly, from White Bear Lake, Minn., also has scored five times and dished out eight assists in 22 games this season. In his first two seasons at Minnesota-Duluth, he had three goals and 13 assists. In his last two, he had 10 and 34, respectively.

"My plus-minus was pretty high those last two years," he said. "My first two, it wasn't that high. I do think the plus-minus reflects how I play."

NO HICCUP AT BACKUP

Since Mike McKenna lost his professional debut, in overtime at Bakersfield, on Nov. 5, Las Vegas has won the last six games in which he has manned the pipes for regular Marc "Mags" Magliarditi.

"Limited changes against us has made my job -- and Mags' -- pretty easy," said McKenna, 22, fourth among ECHL goalies with a shootout save percentage of .750.

A native of St. Louis, McKenna was 32-44 during his career at St. Lawrence University, so Wranglers coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan might have unearthed a diamond in the rough.

"Mags is very deliberate," McKenna said. "Sometimes I have to restrain myself. I like to play aggressive on top of my crease and try to use my skating ability to my strength. Every goaltender has different styles, and obviously both are working very well, so far, for us."

ALSO NOTED

* Las Vegas (16-4-2) has climbed to second place in the West Division of the National Conference by winning 10 of its last 11 games. Only Alaska, with 36 points atop the division, has more points than the Wranglers' 34.

* The Wranglers play in Stockton, an expansion franchise, tonight and Saturday night. Las Vegas plays host to its third annual midnight game, against Long Beach, Monday at the Orleans Arena.

* With an average home crowd of 5,182 for 11 home games, the Wranglers are seventh in attendance in the 25-team ECHL. Stockton, at 8,013, is first, but the Thunder have played only two games in their new arena.

*****

Wranglers left wing Dan Tudin's shot attempts this season. Fresno's Luke Curtin, with 107, is the only ECHL player who has taken more swipes at the net.

*****

.297

Las Vegas' power-play efficiency at the Orleans Arena, the best home percentage in the league.

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