Wranglers expect suspensions

Emotions figure to be running high -- on the ice and in the stands -- when the Wranglers and Alaska Aces meet for the final time this season Friday at the Orleans Arena.

An ugly second-period brawl during Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Aces resulted in the ejection of Las Vegas' Chris and Peter Ferraro and Tim Spencer. Rod Pasma, the ECHL's senior vice president of hockey operations, said Wednesday the league is awaiting the DVD from the game and will make a ruling today regarding disciplinary action.

"We've spoken to the officials and the two coaches, and we've looked at the feed from the game from the Internet," Pasma said. "But we want to look at the DVD so we can get a clearer picture of what actually happened."

Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said the bad blood between the two teams over the past few seasons played a role in Tuesday's melee.

"It was something that was probably brewing for a while," Gulutzan said. "I think players from both sides were responsible for what happened, and certainly, we're going to lose some guys as a result."

For Chris Ferraro, any suspension will be served next season -- if he plays. Ferraro sustained a broken left leg while engaged in one of the several fights that took place. He is expected to be out six to eight weeks. At age 36, it's uncertain whether he will play hockey again.

Spencer drew his second match penalty in just more than a month. He was tossed Tuesday for kicking an Alaska player. This comes after an incident in Boise, Idaho, on Feb. 21 in which he was ejected for attempting to gouge the eye of an Idaho Steelheads player.

"I looked at the tape, and Timmy didn't kick anyone," Gulutzan said. "We're going to straighten that one out."

Peter Ferraro was assessed a major penalty for spearing and a game misconduct. The resulting majors gave Alaska a five-minute 5-on-3 power play, and the Aces scored three goals in that time.

While tempers flared on the ice Tuesday, things got heated in the stands late in the third period when "The Duke," the Wranglers' furry mascot, dumped a garbage bag full of popcorn on the heads of approximately 40 Aces fans who had made the trip to Las Vegas from Anchorage.

The prank was not well-received from the Alaska contingent, a couple of whom tried to retaliate by throwing beer at the mascot, then confronting Wranglers staff on the arena concourse after the game demanding an explanation for the stunt.

Wranglers president Billy Johnson said the popcorn prank is a staple at every game.

"If they're offended, I regret that," Johnson said, "But he does it every game, usually to our own fans."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.