Wranglers squander early lead

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 | 9:32 p.m.

Dec. 2 -- Fresno blanks worn out Wranglers
Dec. 1 -- Wranglers shut out first-place Fresno
Nov. 30 -- Wranglers return home on high note
Nov. 23 -- Road weary Wranglers fall in Utah
Nov. 21 -- Wranglers shut out Utah for first road victory
Nov. 18 -- Wranglers still searching for first road victory
Nov. 16 -- Wranglers smash Steelheads
Nov. 14 -- Wranglers completely collapse against Idaho
Nov. 10 -- Wranglers remain winless on the road
Nov. 9 -- Watt's hat trick lifts Wranglers over Phoenix
Nov. 7 -- Wranglers crush Condors
Nov. 1 -- Wranglers get season's second second win

Despite jumping out to the earliest lead in franchise history, the Las Vegas Wranglers could not sustain that momentum as the Phoenix Roadrunners wound up on top 6-3 Wednesday night at the U.S. Airways Center.

Wranglers center Justin Taylor set a new team record by scoring 12 seconds into the game on a long slap shot.

After the Roadrunners tied the game just two minutes later on a Colin Sinclair goal, the Wranglers poured on the offensive pressure and finished the first period leading 3-1.

Phoenix even pulled goalie Kyle Jones after that period after he three goals on 16 shots.

The goaltending switch worked as Phoenix scored two goals in the second period and three in the third to hand the Wranglers their second loss in as many nights.

The Wranglers return to action in Phoenix on Friday at 6:05 p.m.

Prior to Wednesday's game, the Wranglers loaned forward Mike Hamilton to the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

In 18 games with the Wranglers Hamilton scored four goals and notched six assists.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.

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