Miller gets higher education

When Adam Miller joined a short-handed Wranglers team late in the regular season -- just two days after his Ferris State squad was eliminated by Notre Dame in the second round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs -- the 6-foot forward simply wanted to earn a roster spot.

But Miller, a left-hander who scored the winning goal for Las Vegas in Sunday's 1-0 win over Cincinnati in Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Finals, has done much more than make the team.

He has emerged as a key contributor in the Wranglers' playoff run, which continues at 7:05 p.m. today at the Orleans Arena in Game 3.

Miller, 23, is fourth for Las Vegas in playoff scoring, with 16 points in 17 games on four goals and 12 assists.

Miller, who has 23 points overall in 26 games, also tied a franchise playoff record with five points (two goals, three assists) in an 8-0 victory over Alaska in Game 1 of the conference semifinals.

"He's definitely a guy who has the ability to play on the next level," Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said. "He's had more success here than he had in college, but that's not unusual. There are some guys more suited to the professional game than the college game, and maybe Adam is one of those guys."

Miller, who compiled 77 points in 146 games for Ferris State, credits his linemates, in particular Peter Ferraro, for helping him make a smooth transition to the professional game. Ferraro and Adam Cracknell lead Las Vegas with 21 playoff points apiece.

"The players around me have been just phenomenal ... and that's been helping me," Miller said. "It's just a more open game, the passes are more on the tape, the flow's been a lot better, and it's been kind of fitting into my style of hockey."

Gulutzan said Miller has several strong attributes.

"He has good vision and good chemistry with his linemates (who have included Shawn Limpright and Marco Peluso). That can make all the difference," Gulutzan said. "He's got great speed, and he's a good passer, too. He's a good offensive player."

Making Miller's move to Las Vegas more special was the fact he had some family living here, including his father -- an ironworker who helped build The Palazzo -- his grandparents, sister and cousins.

"So when I made the call to them and said I was coming to Las Vegas, they knew about the Wranglers and they were pretty excited. They still are," Miller said. "My sister didn't really believe me. It's been pretty wild coming here. It all happened so fast.

"It's been a crazy roller-coaster ride so far, and I'm enjoying every second of it."

Miller left Ferris State in the middle of the spring semester but will return to the Big Rapids, Mich., school this summer to complete the final three courses he needs to get his bachelor's degree in business.

But first, Miller plans to help the Wranglers take care of business in the Finals.

"All we're concentrating on is the next game," he said.

* NOTES -- The Cyclones converted their first three power plays of the series but have come up empty on their last seven attempts to fall to 3-for-10. Las Vegas is 1-for-12 with the man advantage.

"They've got a pretty good penalty kill," Limpright said. "We haven't seen a team like them. They're a real talented hockey team, and they come at you from all angles.

"They have big, strong defensemen back there, too, who like to make hits. You've got to be on your toes, or you'll get crushed out there."

Las Vegas (60-16-13) -- one of five ECHL teams, along with Cincinnati (68-16-6), ever to reach 60 overall victories in a season -- is 6-1 at home in the playoffs and has won five straight at the Orleans Arena.

The Cyclones are 6-1-1 on the road in the playoffs after tying a league record with 26 road wins in the regular season (26-8-2).

"It's a pretty even series," Limpright said. "Pretty much who wants it more is going to come out with the win."