McSorley to start Duffus

      Despite several lengthy meetings and nearly a week of thought, Thunder coach Chris McSorley said it isn't a big decision.
      He's sticking with Parris Duffus in goal for Game 3 of his team's best-of-5 Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series against the Houston Aeros tonight at 7:05 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
      Duffus played in each of the first two games, both won 4-2 by Houston, and McSorley considered starting backup Andre Racicot tonight.
      McSorley said the decision made itself.
      "The most important quote I could make on that subject is it is not a very big decision," McSorley said. "We have two guys who are capable of performing and beating the Houston Aeros. Parris played OK, and he feels he has more to give. The bottom line is, he was brought in to do a job. That job has been started but not finished. So we're going to let Parris finish the job."
      Duffus said he had no doubt he would start. He has a 3.55 goals-against average after two games, but said he didn't play poorly. He said at most, he gave up one questionable goal, Mike Hurlbut's knuckler from the left-wing boards that turned out to be the Game 2 game-winner.
      "To be real honest with you, I would have been extremely surprised if they made a change," Duffus said. "I didn't want to worry about it. I know I'm here to play, and I just went about things as if I were going to play."
      But if Duffus wants to keep playing, he and his teammates must be consistent. Las Vegas has not won three in a row in regulation since Jan. 3-7. The Thunder hasn't won consecutive regulation games since March 9-11.
      Thunder general manager Bob Strumm dismisses such talk. He said he is convinced the Thunder is not only good enough to win the next three games, but can go deep into the playoffs.
      He said the Thunder must narrow its focus.
      "We're not playing a tripleheader or a doubleheader tonight," Strumm said. "We're playing one game, and all we have to focus on is that one game.
      "This team is different than any team I've been associated with, but I'll say this: It knows itself extremely well and knows what it is capable of. We don't have to do anything drastic.
      "We just have to play Las Vegas Thunder hockey, and we'll be fine. I believe we can win three straight, but we have to win one before we think about winning two."
      To win, the Thunder must solve Houston goaltender Frederic Chabot. The International Hockey League's probable MVP, Chabot has kept the Thunder from scoring on even-strength situations.
      Chabot hasn't been as spectacular as in the regular season, but the Aeros didn't need him to be.
      The Thunder's Patrice Lefebvre, who will be reunited by McSorley with Alexander Semak and Martin Gendron, said Las Vegas must pressure Chabot.
      "It's hard to stop shots you can't see," Lefebvre said. "We have to get a lot of traffic in front of the net and try to get tips and rebounds, that type of goal."
      McSorley said the Thunder needs to shoot more often. In the first two games, Houston shot first and asked questions later, McSorley said. He wants Las Vegas to adopt that philosophy.
      "If we take advantage of the chances we get, we'll be fine," McSorley said. "This team is entirely capable of winning these next three games. But we can't wait to do it now. We have guys who have produced in the past, and we believe they'll produce over the weekend. If our team plays the game the way I believe we can, we'll win these next three and be getting ready to go (to San Antonio)."