Wranglers pull out narrow victory

By Steve Silver

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 | 12:30 a.m.

At least the Las Vegas Wranglers are consistent -- consistently inconsistent that is.

For the third consecutive weekend, the Wranglers answered a Thursday night loss with a Friday night victory as Las Vegas narrowly edged the Bakersfield Condors 2-1 in front of 4,062 fans at the Orleans Arena.

Matt Watkins and Andrew Orpik each tallied their third goals of the season to lift the Wranglers to 5-4 overall, while the Condors dropped to 5-5.

"We didn't play as well as we wanted to (Thursday) night," Orpik said. "We've done that a few weekends in a row now so we have to figure that out. But certainly responding this way is a positive. If we can get that first game of the weekend it would be better. There is no reason why we shouldn't be sweeping teams."

The Wranglers lit up the scoreboard first when Jason Krischuk set up Orpik for the 1-0 lead with 3:01 remaining in the opening period.

Watkins extended that lead to 2-0 just 3:50 into the second period when he snuck the puck past Condors goalie Timo Pielmeier on the side of the net during a power play.

"We are growing and these are the types of wins I love," Mougenel said. "I thought we did a real good job of getting to the tough areas. We worked hard and Bakersfield is a very good hockey team."

Bakersfield pulled within one late in the second period on a power play when Dan Sexton buried a wrist shot from the right circle for his team-leading sixth goal of the season at the 16:36 mark.

But that was as close as Bakersfield would come due largely to the stellar play of Las Vegas goalie Michael Ouzas.

Ouzas made 37 saves to improve to 5-2 with a 2.88 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

"Ouzas gives us a chance to win every night," Mougenel said. "He is playing that well… I think the guys rally around him. Right now he is the pulse of our team and he is embracing what we want. He is a competitor and he has willed us to win."

Although the Condors out-shot the Wranglers 38-25, Las Vegas' maligned penalty-killing unit held Bakersfield to one goal on six power play chances.

"I thought we played pretty well as a team," Ouzas said. "At times we let up, but when we were going we were really able to do some good things… (Bakersfield) generates some good chances. I don't mind it. I like the shots. I thought our defense did a good job of blocking shots too. We controlled them pretty well."

Stars of the game: 1. Michael Ouzas (37 saves); 2. Matt Watkins (1 goal); 3. Andrew Orpik (1 goal)

Triple threat: The top offensive line of Orpik, Watkins and Adam Miller struck twice Friday night.

Now, all three players on that line each have three goals and three assists so far this year.

"It's kind of rare that guys get to stay together as long as we have and I think we are really feeding off of each other," Orpik said. "The more you play with guys the more you just know where they will be without even looking and that has benefited us."

Roster report: The San Antonio Rampage called up defenseman Nick Ross to the AHL shortly before Friday's game. John Schwarz suited up in Ross' place.

Also, with Kyle Hagel out due to an eye injury he suffered in Thursday night's fight against Erick Lizon, forward Matt Kang was reinserted into the lineup.

Next up: The Wranglers hit the road to face the Condors in Bakersfield at Rabobank Arena Saturday at 7 p.m.

"It's going to be tough up there," Orpik said. "Third game in three nights will be tough for both teams so we have to dig deep and find a high level of compete to come out with a win."

Final word: "We still have to be better," Mougenel said. "The guys know that. We have to tighten up. That's what my job is all about so I've got a long night of watching video. We have to will ourselves on them and win battles because they are a real tough team."

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].