Aces’ late goal bites Wranglers

By Steve Silver

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 11:34 p.m.

Upon returning home from a disastrous start to the National Conference finals that left the Wranglers in a two-game hole to the Alaska Aces, Las Vegas forward Tyler Mosienko posed a philosophical question to his coach, Glen Gulutzan.

Mosienko pondered the best way to metaphorically eat an elephant.

The answer, Mosienko told his perplexed coach, is simply, "One bite at a time."

Unfortunately for the Wranglers, Mosienko could not digest the so-called elephant in the ice rink single-handedly as the Aces devoured Las Vegas 3-1 in front of 3,612 fans at the Orleans Arena Tuesday night.

Mosienko scored the lone Las Vegas goal as the Wranglers fell into a 3-0 hole in the series –- a deficit no team has ever overcome in ECHL history.

"It's still one bite at a time," Mosienko said. "You can never get down on yourself. You have to stay positive all the time and that's what we are going to do. That's why they make it a seven-game series. You have to win four."

Las Vegas started out matching Alaska stride for stride with scoring chances.

Alaska appeared to score first midway through the period on a power play, but upon further review the officials waived the goal off, ruling that the puck never crossed the goal line.

The Wranglers seized momentum after that goal reversal as Mosienko ripped a shot top-shelf past Jean-Philippe Lamoureux for the 1-0 lead with 4:12 remaining in the first period.

Shortly after the intermission, however, the Aces answered back when Vladimir Novak capitalized on a turnover by Steve Makway behind the Wranglers' net. Novak managed to bat a bouncing puck past Glenn Fisher to tie the game 1-1 just 2:46 in the second period.

"I think we got the first one and maybe laid back," Mosienko said. "We thought it was going to be smooth sailing from there, that's the feeling I got. But it's not. It's playoff hockey. You could be up 4-0 and you still have to keep everything tight."

Both squads held each other in check for the next 30 minutes of hockey as both teams squandered several power play opportunities.

But Alaska tallied the difference-maker late in the third period as Cam Keith fed an open Josh Soares in the slot. Soares blasted a wrist shot five-hole to put the Aces on top 2-1 with 4:11 left in regulation.

Matt Stefanishion added an empty-netter with 35 seconds remaining to seal the 3-1 victory and force the Wranglers to stare down elimination for the rest of the series.

"Our games are always pieces," Mosienko said. "We own one and then don't do well the next. We came out really strong tonight then we kind of stayed par from there. When you're down 2-0, you have to find a way to be on top every period. We won the first period, lost the second and lost the third, so that tells the tale there."

The Aces out-shot the Wranglers 39-34 as Lamoureux improved to 11-2 in the postseason.

Fisher picked up another loss despite making 36 saves.

"I thought he played really good," Gulutzan said. "He made some saves to keep us in there. He gave us a chance to win."

Stars of the game: 1. Josh Soares (1 goal); 2. Tyler Mosienko (1 goal); 3. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (33 saves)

Powerless play: Las Vegas' power play woes continued Tuesday as the Wranglers failed to score on seven advantages, including a two-minute long 5-on-3.

"We have to be better on home ice on the power play," Gulutzan said. "If we get one there, that's the difference."

The Wranglers are now 0-for-19 on the power play this series. To their credit, the Wranglers have held the Aces' power play to 2-for-17 in the first three games, including an 0-for-7 showing Tuesday.

Overall, the Wranglers' power play is at 19.8 percent (16-for-81) and the Aces are at 17.3 percent (13-for-75).

"Special teams is a touchy thing and tonight I thought we were off a little bit," Mosienko said. "We could have a little more zip on our passes and our shots."

Lucky Lamoureux: It is old news by now that the ECHL fined Alaska's star goalie for throwing Steve Makway's stick into the crowd at Sullivan Arena on Sunday night. But can anyone tell me why he was not suspended?

The ECHL suspended former Cincinnati defenseman Joe Grimaldi for nine games when he threw a broken stick into the crowd in October this season. In 2004, the NHL suspended Toronto Maple Leafs center Mats Sundin when he accidentally threw his own broken stick into the crowd in Nashville.

I'm not a lawyer, but I believe the precedent has been set. Perhaps ECHL officials have a bit of a crush on Mr. MVP?

Beaudoin watch: Matt Beaudoin still claims the honor as the only Wrangler on the playoff roster that remains in the American Hockey League. Beaudoin is currently with the Houston Aeros, who are set for a Game 7 showdown with the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday night in the West Division finals. In 13 Calder Cup games with Houston, Beaudoin has notched three goals and seven assists.

Fan of the game: One fan in Section 108 took the Wranglers' whiteout request seriously as he painted his body white with a red "W" on his chest. He also seemed to be the only fan with a macaroni and cheese box.

Hockey heaven: I rip Aces fans constantly, but I do want to give props to Anchorage for carrying the game live on television via a satellite feed. I love a city that loves its hockey team so much. Take notes Las Vegas.

Next up: The Wranglers will try to avoid a sweep and keep their Kelly Cup dreams alive in Game 4 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Orleans Arena.

Final word: "Obviously, they've got good defense and good goaltending, but it's playoff time; you have to find a way," Mosienko said. "You have to out-think them, out-heart them, out-something."