Condors rip Wranglers in overtime

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas Wranglers forward Mick Lawrence (19) sends Condors defenseman Chris Kaufman flying during a brutal open-ice collision in the first period of game five of the Pacific Division semifinals at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on Saturday night.

By Steve Silver (contact)

Sunday, April 19, 2009 | 1 a.m.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - One shot -- that's all it took.

The Bakersfield Condors needed just one shot in overtime to snag a 4-3 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers Saturday night in front of 5,173 fans at Rabobank Arena.

Bakersfield forward Mark Derlago ripped the game winning shot 11 seconds into the extra period to cap off a hat trick performance and lift his team to a 3-2 series lead in the Pacific Division semifinals.

"I just buried my head and put a shot on net," Derlago said. "… It's unbelievable. It's huge scoring an overtime winner. Just seeing a pile of guys coming at you smiling and laughing. It's fun."

Derlago's fun night, however, was more like a nightmare for the Wranglers.

The 23-year-old Brandon, Manitoba native scored his first goal of the night just 5:29 into the game to put the Condors on top 2-0 following an early tally by Brett Pilkington.

Then after Justin Taylor (power play), Scott McCulloch (shorthanded) and Bret Tyler each scored to rally the Wranglers to a 3-2 lead, it was Derlago who struck once again to tie the game 3-3 at the end of the second period.

"Tonight (Derlago) was fantastic," Bakersfield coach Marty Raymond said. "He had a great warm-up. You could see he was ready. He had a great game."

Derlago's stellar outing not only left Las Vegas coach Glen Gulutzan speechless, but it also means the Wranglers now face a must-win situation in game six Tuesday night at the Orleans Arena.

"Obviously we are going to be desperate," Las Vegas captain Shawn Limpright said. "We can't lose now. We've been in worse positions. It's disappointing. I'm not going to sit here and say it's not, but there are still two games left and they have to come play in our building."

The rest of the Wranglers' locker room seemed to share Limpright's hopeful attitude – and with good reason.

Las Vegas has outshot (198-to-179) and outscored (17-to-14) Bakersfield this season. Of the three games the Wranglers have lost to the Condors, two went to overtime (games three and five).

"We are confident in ourselves, that's for sure," Wranglers forward Dan Riedel said. "By no means do we feel the series is over. We definitely feel we are capable of winning two games at home."

Stars of the game: 1. Mark Derlago (3 goals); 2. Brett Pilkington (1 goal, 1 assist); 3. Yutaka Fukufuji (36 saves)

Quick exit: Gulutzan and Wranglers assistant coach Mike McBain refused to speak to the media following Saturday's loss. Both were headed to the bus before the Condors were even done celebrating on the ice.

Wrangler wreckers: Derlago's hat trick added to the eye-popping numbers his line has posted this series. The trio of Derlago, Chad Painchaud and Dave Bonk has combined for 22 points in the postseason, including 10 of the Condors' 14 goals.

"It's no secret, they have a good line that has been hurting us on the power play and off the power play," Limpright said. "We have to figure that out still."

Rhinestone cowboys: The music gods at Rabobank Arena played Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" while introducing the Wranglers before each game this week. Although a bit insulting, it is still hilarious. Well played Condors, well played.

Next up: The Wranglers return to the Orleans Arena for game six on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Final word: "They still have to win one in our building," Limpright said. "We'll be ready for them, I guarantee you that."

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