Wranglers losing streak continues in Bakersfield

By Steve Silver (contact)

Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 | 11:33 p.m.

BAKERSFIELD -- For the first time in nearly three weeks, the Las Vegas Wranglers squared off against a new opponent.

But they still suffered the same result.

After struggling through seven consecutive games against Utah, the Bakersfield Condors handed the Wranglers their sixth straight loss in a 4-1 blowout in front of 4,172 fans at the Rabobank Arena Friday night.

The Wranglers are now 1-7-1 in their last nine games.

"Losing is something you have to nip in the bud, and if you are used to losing, then it becomes inbred in you and I'm trying to breed it out of these guys," said Wranglers head coach and General Manager Ryan Mougenel.

Despite being mired in a losing streak, the Wranglers started out strong Friday night, creating a number of scoring chances while out-shooting the condors 13-6.

Yet after that scoreless first period, the Condors struck first when Stephane Goulet capitalized on a Wranglers turnover and beat Michael Ouzas with a wrist shot at the 12:32 mark of the second period.

Less than three minutes later, Gino Guyer extended the Bakersfield lead to 2-0 as he buried a feed from Matthew Myers with 4:39 remaining in the second period.

The Wranglers have now been outscored 29-8 in second periods this season.

"One of the biggest things would be to get the first goal one of these nights," said Wranglers defenseman Mike Madill. "We played really well the fist and third periods, then they get two in the second, then we are right back where we have been for awhile. On the bright side, we are plugging away and I think we played a pretty good game. We could use a bounce here and there. Guys are getting better at the systems. We just have to put it together now."

Las Vegas could not chip away at their two-goal deficit in the third period as the Condors found the back of the net again on Mathieu Aubin's fifth goal of the season at the 7:39 mark.

With the game drifting out of reach, the Condors sealed the victory with a 5-on-3 power play goal by Andrew Ianiero with 2:26 remaining in the game.

The Wranglers are 0-9 when trailing after two periods.

"You have to get that killer instinct where if we give up a chance and they score, then we get right back on the horse," Mougenel said. "That's not the way it's going right now. How do we get it back on track? I think the only way we can do it is to have the same type of effort again tomorrow night."

Las Vegas forward Matthew Kang wrecked Bakersfield goalie Timo Pielmeier's shutout as Kang knocked in a rebound with just 12 seconds left.

Pielmeier stopped 31 shots to improve to 7-4 while Ouzas made 17 saves and fell to 6-9-1.

Stars of the game: 1. Timo Pielmeier (31 saves); 2. Stephane Goulet (1 goals); 3. Matthew Myers (1 assist)

Called up: Wranglers forward Andrew Orpik was essentially dispatched from the team bus Friday to head up to San Antonio of the American Hockey League. Orpik had posted 10 points in 17 games this season. He will join a host of former Wranglers on the Rampage including Matt Watkins, Justin Bernhardt, Nick Ross and Robbie Bina.

With all of those call-ups, the Wranglers were left with five defensemen, so they have moved forward Shay Stephenson to defense. He played alongside Madill Friday night.

"I think Shay has played three real solid games back there," Madill said. "He's a big strong guy and he is a lot of fun to play with."

Powerless plays: The Wranglers were 1-for-6 on the power play while the condors were 1-for-7.

Next up: The Wranglers stay in Bakersfield for a rematch Saturday night at the Rabobank Arena at 7 p.m.

Final word: "Every game we play here is another game to turn things around," Madill said. "As soon as we get that, I think this team will be rolling. Tomorrow is huge. It's probably the biggest game of the year so far."

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