Lampe breaks Wranglers’ scoring record

Speed is Eric Lampe's trademark, so it's fitting he needed only 51 games to break the Wranglers' season record for goals with 37.

Lampe, a left wing who turns 26 today, was one of six players to score for Las Vegas in its 6-4 comeback victory over Colorado on Friday night before 4,693 at Orleans Arena.

Lampe's goal, which tied the game at 4-all at 6:02 of the third period, broke the club mark set by former NHL player Peter Ferraro in 2008.

"Eric's got NHL speed. He skates like an NHLer and really has a knack for the net," Wranglers coach Ryan Mougenel said. "He'll run over his mother to score a goal. I've never seen a kid in the NHL want to score goals like him. He's got that tenacity."

Lampe streaked into the right circle before lifting the puck over the left shoulder of Damien Ketlo.

"It was a big goal for the team," said Lampe, who also had an assist to push his point total to 65. "We battled back all game. It shows the character of our team, to never give up. That's what we need in the playoffs. That mentality to never quit."

Sean Wiles scored on a penalty shot midway through the third to give Las Vegas its first lead at 5-4 after it had trailed 3-0 in the second period.

Ash Goldie added an empty-net goal in the final minute to seal the Wranglers' second straight victory.

Las Vegas improved to 42-22-7 (91 points) and trails Ontario (42-21-8, 92) by one point in the battle for the Pacific Division title and second playoff seed in the ECHL Western Conference heading into today's regular-season finales for both teams.

The Wranglers will host the Eagles (37-28-6, 80) again today while the Reign will host league-leading Alaska (43-17-11, 97). Ontario defeated Alaska 2-1 in overtime Friday.

"It makes the guys believe," Mougenel said of the comeback. "They know they're a very good team when they play the right way. But when they get away from that, we're not a good team. For us to win in the playoffs, we've got to play the right way all the time."

Judd Blackwater and Jeff May each had a goal and two assists for Las Vegas, Adam Miller also scored and Chris Francis added two assists.

"A lot of guys stepped up," Mougenel said. "My best players were my best players, and that's how you win games."

After Steve Haddon beat Mitch O'Keefe (25 saves) to put Colorado ahead 3-0 at 4:11 of the second, the Wranglers answered with two goals in the next 80 seconds.

Blackwater buried a rebound at 4:33 and May scored on a shot from the point at 5:31 to make it 3-2.

Miller banged home a one-timer in front of the net on a power play at 13:12 of the second to tie it after two crisp passes from Francis and Blackwater.

The Eagles took a 4-3 lead with 2:38 left in the second when Jordan Baker scored on a one-timer from the slot.

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