Four-goal surge fuels Wranglers’ win

Western Conference-leading Las Vegas cruised to a 6-3 victory over Elmira (N.Y.) on Tuesday night at the Orleans Arena and took two of three from the Jackals in its only series this season against an Eastern Conference team.

Greg Collins had two goals and an assist and Chris Higgins had two goals for the Wranglers (30-14-3), who lead the ECHL in wins and are tied for the league lead in points with 63.

Tyler Mosienko had a goal and an assist, Ryan Huddy and Blair Riley added two assists apiece for Las Vegas and Joe Fallon (18-8-1) stopped 28 of 31 shots.

After losing 4-3 to Elmira (20-20-5) on Friday and trailing 4-2 on Saturday after two periods, the Wranglers rallied for three consecutive third-period goals to pull out a 5-4 victory.

Las Vegas continued its onslaught Tuesday, scoring four consecutive goals to take a 5-1 lead midway through the game.

Collins, who netted the game winner Saturday with 1:25 left, scored a short-handed goal nine minutes into Tuesday's game to give Las Vegas a 2-1 lead. He took a pass in stride in front of the net from Jamie Fritsch and poked it past goalie Garrett Zemlak (18 saves).

Collins made it 3-1 with a power-play goal at 1:31 of the second period, scoring from in front of the net off a nice pass from defenseman Nick Ross, who was assigned to Las Vegas by the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage.

"It's really about going to the net," Collins said. "Whenever you're hanging around the net, good things are bound to happen."

Dan Bertram, who was activated from the injured reserve Saturday -- along with defenseman Sean McMonagle -- gave Las Vegas a 4-1 lead at 5:01.

Mosienko made it 5-1 when he scored in front on a two-man advantage.

Elmira cut the gap to 5-3 with 5:46 left in the second on a power-play goal by Michael Dubuc and a short-handed score by Eric Lampe.

But Fallon and the Wranglers held off the Jackals, who outshot Las Vegas 13-5 in the third period.

■ NOTES -- Goalie Michael Ouzas was returned to the Wranglers from Peoria (AHL). ... Elmira forward Corey Cowick was fined and suspended for a game by the ECHL for making contact with an official in the third period of Saturday's loss to Las Vegas. Cowick was assessed a game misconduct.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.