Aces rout Wranglers in series opener

By Steve Silver

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Nearly five months have past since the Alaska Aces celebrated on the Orleans Arena ice after capturing the National Conference championship with a four-game sweep of the Las Vegas Wranglers.

The Aces' revelry picked up right where it left off last spring as Alaska blasted the Wranglers 5-2 in front of 3,107 fans Thursday night.

Alaska capitalized twice on five power play chances, while also scoring two shorthanded goals en route to tying a franchise record best start of 4-0. The Wranglers are still winless at 0-2.

"The compete level wasn't there," said Wranglers head coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel. "The execution wasn't there. Guys have to understand that they can't just put their sticks in and play. (Alaska) is an explosive team."

Trouble started early for the Wranglers as the Aces scored twice within the first seven minutes to take a 2-0 lead thanks to a power play goal by John Lammers and a shorthanded strike by Colin Hemingway.

The Aces are now 6-2 in their last eight games at the Orleans Arena.

"I thought the first two goals were just zero focus from us on the back end," Mougenel said. "Our back end has to get better. From the goaltending, to the D, to the back check. It was terrible. I'm disappointed."

Hemingway struck again midway through the second period for the 3-0 lead on the Aces second power play goal of the night.

But it was Lammers' second goal of the night, while shorthanded, early in the third period that spelled disaster for the Wranglers.

Las Vegas center Josh Prudden's errant pass toward center ice led to a turnover in which Lammers rocketed a wrist shot , which Robbie Bina accidentally tipped past goalie Joel Gistedt for the Aces' 4-0 lead.

"I know everyone in here talks a big game, but saying we are going to do one thing and then doing something completely different doesn't work," said Wranglers forward Mick Lawrence. "I don't know if it's jitters or what. Everyone was kind of timid. (Alaska) just outworked us. They have a veteran team and a lot of good hockey players. We have to compete harder."

The Aces' favorite agitator Matt Stefanishion joined in on the scoring binge less than five minutes later as he tapped in a pass from Alexandre Imbeault for a 5-0 advantage.

Gistedt made 23 saves in his first ECHL start while the Aces and Wranglers finished even on shots with 28 a piece.

"Goaltending is not where everyone wants it to be, but I like how the kid responded," Mougenel said. "We didn't give him much help. He had like 10 two-on-ones. Our guys were not committing to helping each other out. I thought he stood in there decently considering what we put him up against."

With the game out of reach, the Wranglers finally lit up the scoreboard at the 7:05 mark in the third period on a power play goal by newly acquired center Justin Bernhardt.

The Wranglers struck again with 2:28 remaining when Shay Stephenson poked in a loose puck in front of the net to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Las Vegas' power play struggled again, going 1-for-6 on the night. The Wranglers are now 2-for-12 on the power play this season.

"Simplicity works best and that's what we've been preaching and the guys who don't buy into that are our skill guys and when skill guys don't buy in and want to get on their own page then they will be a skilled guy on a different team," Mougenel said. "That's not what I want here. I want guys on the same page, same philosophy."

With two lopsided losses at home to open the season, the Wranglers hope to regroup with some soul-searching before facing the Aces again on Friday night.

"I think a lot of guys need to go home and look into the mirror," Lawrence said. "I think there are a lot of guys on our team that are surprised they are in the ECHL and they can't think that way. It's a good hockey league. Most everyone in here is under contract with other leagues, but they have to step up their game and respect this team."

Stars of the game: 1. John Lammers (2 goals, 2 assists); 2. Colin Hemingway (2 goals); 3. Sebastian Dahm (26 saves)

Heavy hitter: Despite perpetually trailing the Aces, Lawrence never hesitated to throw his body around Thursday night.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound forward lit up Alaska forward Anthony Peluso with a big open ice hit in the first period. In the second period, Lawrence crushed defenseman Bryan Miller into the boards behind Alaska's net.

Surprisingly, there were no fights in the contest.

"It's always physical against Alaska," Lawrence said. "They are a team that is confident and good enough to back it up. But it can't be a few guys on our team hitting. Everyone has to be throwing the body and making their presence known, battling for pucks and going into the corners."

Giving back: The Wranglers announced Thursday that they are holding a food drive on Nov. 6 to benefit Three Square Food Bank. The team will accept cash and non-perishable items beginning at 8 a.m. at the Orleans Arena.

All fans that donate at least five items will receive a free ticket to that night's game against Bakersfield. Area 107.9 FM will broadcast live at the food drive from 5 to 7 p.m.

After the entire Wranglers team visited the Three Square Food Bank on Tuesday, forward Ned Lukacevic pledged to make a donation for every goal he scores this season.

Next up: The Aces stick around for the second contest of the three-game series Friday night at the Orleans Arena at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday are military appreciation nights as the Wranglers will be wearing special camouflage jerseys.

Final word: "I'm sick of talking about Alaska," Mougenel said. "Alaska this, Alaska that. They are definitely beatable and we are going to take it to them tomorrow."

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