Wranglers awaken, top ECHL leaders

Mired in a late-season slide with the playoffs fast approaching, the Wranglers limped into their game against defending ECHL champion and league-leading Alaska on Tuesday night at Orleans Arena.

But Las Vegas rediscovered its stride in a 4-2 comeback victory, just its second win in seven games.

"It's a big momentum boost for us going into the playoffs," left wing Eric Lampe said. "That's what we needed."

Lampe tied the Wranglers' single-season record for goals with a second-period score that started a surge of three straight Las Vegas goals in less than six minutes.

Lampe's league-leading 36th goal, which came in his 50th game, tied the mark that Peter Ferraro set in 2007-08.

"Hopefully I can score a couple more by the end of the season," Lampe said.

Las Vegas (41-22-7, 89 points) trails Ontario (41-19-8, 90) by a point in the battle for the Pacific Division title and second playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The Wranglers have two games left -- at home Friday and Saturday against Colorado -- while the Reign have three left, at Colorado today and at home Friday and Saturday against Alaska (42-17-10, 94).

"We played hard, we played smart, and we played fast," said assistant Rob Pallin, who filled in for coach Ryan Mougenel, who was at a hospital with his wife, Kim, awaiting the birth of their first child. "When this team plays hard, smart and fast, this team can be dangerous."

Lampe took a feed from Adam Miller (goal, two assists) and raced ahead of two Alaska defenders before beating Gerald Coleman (32 saves) with a backhander to tie it 1-1 at 4:29 of the second period.

Miller and Ash Goldie then netted goals 38 seconds apart midway through the period to make the score 3-1.

Miller scored on a backhander at 9:31, and Goldie, who returned from the injured reserve after missing 55 games with a shoulder injury, buried a rebound at 10:09.

The Aces made it 3-2 with 3:11 left in the second when Tyson Marsh rifled home a rebound in the high slot.

Judd Blackwater made it 4-2 midway through the third, when he scored off a nice feed from Lampe. Mitch O'Keefe made 26 saves for the Wranglers.

■ NOTE -- Las Vegas will open its best-of-5, first-round playoff series Monday at either Utah, Idaho or Stockton. Game 2 will be played on the road either Tuesday or Wednesday. Las Vegas will host Game 3 at 7:05 p.m. on April 5 at Orleans Arena. Game 4, if necessary, will take place here April 6, and Game 5, if necessary, will be played here April 9.

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