Lampe’s short-handed goals lift first-place Wranglers to victory

If not for a nice save by Ontario goalie Chris Carrozzi on a first-period breakaway Friday night, Las Vegas left wing Eric Lampe would've pulled off an improbable hat trick of unassisted shorthanded goals at Orleans Arena.

As it turned out, two goals were all the Wranglers needed in a 4-1 victory -- their fourth straight -- over the Reign in front of a crowd of 4,611.

"He could've had four tonight," Judd Blackwater said of his linemate, who is the ECHL's leading goal scorer with 20 in 24 games. "He's got a knack for goals and he's always heads up. He's got great speed -- that helps -- and it showed tonight."

Lampe scored the first two goals for Pacific Division-leading Las Vegas (14-6-4, 32 points), with his second giving the Wranglers the lead for good at 2-1 just 31 seconds into the third period.

Lampe stole the puck in the Ontario zone then deked Carrozzi in front of the net before burying a backhander.

"I faked a shot, then went backhand. The goalie bit on it and I put it in the open net," he said.

Lampe gave Las Vegas a 1-0 lead at 5:56 of the first period when he beat an Ontario defender to the puck on a breakaway and ripped a backhander that trickled into the net between Carrozzi's legs.

Ontario (10-9-2, 22) tied it 1-1 at 9:10 on a goal by Francois Brisebois and the score stayed that way until the third period.

Blackwater banged home his own rebound, which took an odd carom off Carrozzi into the net, to make it 3-1 with 4:07 left.

"I have no idea how that went in," Wranglers coach Ryan Mougenel said. "He's a magician. Only Judd could score that goal."

Pete MacArthur, who was returned to the Wranglers before the game from Peoria of the American Hockey League, added an empty-net goal with 21 seconds to play to extend his point streak to nine games (13 points).

Joe Fallon stopped 31 shots for Las Vegas to improve to 11-4-4. He'll be promoted to Bridgeport (AHL) today when David Brown is slated to start in net for the Wranglers at Ontario. Goalie Mitch O'Keefe will be activated from the injured reserve.

Both teams came up empty on the power play, with Las Vegas going 0-for-8 and the Reign 0-for-7.

■ NOTES -- The Wranglers released defenseman Eric Tallent after one game, leaving them with only four regular defensemen: captain Mike Madill, Barry Goers, Michael Busto and Channing Boe. Defenseman Jason Krischuk has re-entered retirement after playing two games for Las Vegas. Defensemen Jeff May and Jamie Fritsch are injured. Defenseman Shawn Fensel quit the team earlier this season and Luke Vidmar was released.

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