HOCKEY:

Wranglers rebound on the road

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 | 2:35 a.m.

ONTARIO, Calif. -- The Las Vegas Wranglers will not be invited to this homecoming party again.

Coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history, the Wranglers responded by spoiling the Ontario Reign's home opener with a 4-3 victory in front of 8,067 fans at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

A third-period power-play goal by Ned Lukacevic and a stunning last-second save by Michael Ouzas sealed the Wranglers' first road win of the season.

"This one was huge," said Ouzas, who improved to 3-1 with 22 saves. "It's so important. Last night we would like to forget all together and coming in tonight with our first road game we definitely wanted to come out strong."

The Wranglers did their best to erase the haunting memories of Thursday's 9-2 blowout loss to the Utah Grizzlies.

An early goal by Mick Lawrence helped facilitate that process as he buried a feed from Greg Collins just 8:23 into the game for the 1-0 lead.

"(Thursday) night was (Thursday) night," said Wranglers head coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel. "I had a good long talk with a lot of people. I talked to Keith Primeau for about an hour and he said it can either be a blip on the radar screen or it can become chronic. And it's not going to be something chronic if you believe in what you're doing. I truly believe in these guys. They work extremely hard. They are dedicated to the system and they played the system tonight. What a way to respond."

That victorious response to Thursday's lopsided game was never a lock Friday night as the Reign answered goal after goal.

About five minutes after Lawrence's opening goal, Jon Rheault scored during a 5-on-3 power play to tie the game 1-1.

Just 73 seconds later, though, Josh Prudden capitalized on an Ontario turnover and netted his first shorthanded goal of the season to put the Wranglers on top 2-1 at the 14:47 mark of the first period.

Once again, the Reign answered right back less than two minutes later with another goal by Rheault to knot the game at 2-2.

The Wranglers appeared to take control of the contest when Lawrence netted his second goal of the night for the 3-2 lead just 7:24 into the second period.

But a string of questionable penalties forced the Wranglers to kill off three consecutive 5-on-3s.

"The biggest part was overcoming the adversity of being down for eight minutes straight with one 5-on-3 after another," Lawrence said.

Ontario struck on the first 5-on-3 as Jon Francisco tied the game 3-3 midway through the second period, but the Wranglers controlled the damage and did not allow any other goals.

The Wranglers killed off nine of Ontario's power plays with both of those power play goals coming during 5-on-3s.

"We're not always going to get the right calls and we have to keep our emotions in check," Mougenel said. "Tonight we found a way to win despite the calls and I'm proud of that."

Las Vegas only scored once on nine power play opportunities, but that one time was enough to make the difference as Lukacevic scored with 6:14 left in the game for the 4-3 lead.

Ontario made one last offensive surge on the power play in the final 30 seconds, but a swift kick save by Ouzas on a backdoor shot sealed the victory.

"I can't tell you how many unbelievable saves he made," Mougenel said. "Ouzas was the difference tonight and I think he is getting better and better."

Stars of the game: 1. Jon Rheault (2 goals, 1 assist); 2. Mick Lawrence (2 goals); 3. Josh Prudden (1 goal, 2 assists)

Calling Collins: Forward Greg Collins returned to the Wranglers lineup Friday night and made quite the impression on his coach. Mougenel benched Collins after a poor performance in the season opener, but he liked what he saw from the 23-year-old University of New Hampshire product against Ontario.

Collins notched an assist with two shots.

"I thought Collins was arguably the best player tonight," Mougenel said. "I'm still learning players too. I kind of made a rash decision about Collins taking him out of the lineup. But he brought a lot of energy tonight and that's what we needed."

Heavy hitter: Nick Ross takes this award as he sent Ontario forward Adam Henrich flying end over end with a vicious hit in the second period.

Next up: The Wranglers stay in Ontario to face the Reign on Sunday night at 5 p.m. from the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Final word: "(Ouzas) is one of the most dedicated, focused guys I've ever seen," Lawrence said. "He came up with some huge saves and it's good to see him succeeding because he works hard for it."

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

Discussion: 9 comments so far…

By winthorpe

10/31/09 at 2:55 a.m.

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Nice to see the team rebound and win on the road in front of a hostile crowd. They seem to be able to bounce back after bad games and hopefully they will be able to avoid long losing streaks, especially on the road. Sure they were bad Thursday, but sometimes the other team is good as well. Utah showed Thurday was not a fluke by hanging a six spot on the board in Bako last night. As with any young team, there will be ups and downs. But at least the Wranglers man up after bad games and offer up few excuses, which is more than I can say for society as a while these days.

Steve, I misunderstood you and thought you were part of a 2 man team on the road games you will be going to. Very nice job. Nice and steady and managing to work your now cult like following into the flow. And a Mike Lange, "beat him like a rented mule" reference. Did you "shave your face with a rusty razor" for the occasion?
By winthorpe

10/31/09 at 2:58 a.m.

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Grr, society as a while = society as a whole. Maybe I should get some sleep.
By BlackCat

10/31/09 at 9:22 a.m.

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Steve: I listened to your broadcast from start to finish. I congratulate you for doing this - although I have watch hockey for 35 years, I do not think I could even manage to do this. In any event, I thought you became more confident as the game went on, and you certainly sounded like you were doing this for a while during the last few min of the game.

Keep at it, and it will certainly get better. If you can, listened to other announcers over B2 Networks. It was nice to learn when your birthday was (July 19), a little personal touch is excellent. I thought you were very tactful in your CYA statement on the officiating in the first period when you realized you were entering the forbidden zone regarding some calls.

Stay upbeat buddy, study the opposing team roster, and keep the humor and personal touches, and your broadcasts will be great. I look forward to listening to you Sunday, especially if my Buffalo Bills stink up the joint.
By SteveSilver (Staff)

10/31/09 at 10:29 a.m.

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thanks winthorpe and blackcat.

I've never called a hockey game before and I've never broadcast anything alone either so it was definitely a learning experience.
By HWSPORTS

10/31/09 at 4 p.m.

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ALSO KUDOS SILVER.......U DID FINE

HOW WAS CROWD THERE? LEGIT 8K OR DID THEY PULL A LOCOS...LOL
By SteveSilver (Staff)

10/31/09 at 4:25 p.m.

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Thanks HW, one of the close road trips you should think about coming to join me in the booth.

No, that arena was fairly well filled. I'd say very close to that 8,000 mark.
By ChuckNorris

11/1/09 at 11:39 a.m.

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I mean, wow, you're like a one-man circus, but the good kind... I'm impressed

Way to bounce back, boys. I look forward to tonight...
By winthorpe

11/1/09 at 2:46 p.m.

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Steve, your legend is growing. Will actually be watching the World Series game tonight with the sound off so I can hear the Wranglers play by play. Don't forget shout outs to the cult following you have developed.
By DMoney

11/1/09 at 4:28 p.m.

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We're undefeated on the road with Silver on the mic. Coincidence? I think not.