Wranglers lucky to have series lead

On paper, the Wranglers have dominated their first-round playoff series against Stockton, more than doubling the Thunder's shots on net, 134 to 66.

In reality, though, Las Vegas is lucky to be leading the best-of-7 National Conference quarterfinals 2-1.

After squandering a late lead in a 4-2 Game 1 loss, the top-seeded Wranglers needed overtime to get past eighth-seeded Stockton 5-4 in Game 2. They rallied for two goals in the final 1:15 to silence the Thunder 3-2 in Game 3.

Entering Game 4 at 7:30 tonight at Stockton Arena, Las Vegas leads all ECHL playoff teams in shots for (44.67 per game) and shots against (22).

"You can look at shots on goal, but you can also look at scoring chances, and we're not (leading) them two to one" in scoring chances, Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said. "We've just got to keep hammering away, and pretty soon, hopefully, we can break through."

Before the playoffs, Gulutzan said the keys to advancing were getting on a roll, getting good goaltending and getting "puck luck." Las Vegas hasn't exactly excelled in any of those areas, though it did win Sunday's Game 3 on a short-handed goal by Aki Seitsonen with 12 seconds left.

"Aki made a nice shot, but we really haven't had any bounces deflect in or point shots get tipped in or anything like that. If we keep putting shots up, those things will start happening, and that's puck luck," Gulutzan said. "We've worked for our goals to this point. We've certainly had to put a lot of rubber on to get pucks in that netting."

Thunder goalie Tim Boron is last in the league in the playoffs in goals-against average (3.34) but has been impressive nonetheless, stopping 124 of 134 shots for a .925 save percentage.

"Tim Boron has been playing very well for them, but if we keep peppering him with shots, they're bound to go in," said Wranglers left wing Ryan Donally, who netted the winning goal in Game 2 and assisted on the game winner in Game 3.

Las Vegas rookie goalie Kevin Lalande's performance has dipped in the playoffs. He has turned away only 56 of 65 shots for an .862 save percentage that is last in the league, and his 3.01 GAA is next to last. But Gulutzan is confident Lalande will "pick up his play."

"His numbers are a reflection of the fact he hasn't seen many shots, but he's seen some quality shots, so that can always skew the numbers," Gulutzan said. "He's been average, but I know he has a higher gear and he's going to get to it."

Lalande, 21, said "the playoffs are a completely different season, and I'm still adjusting."

The Wranglers will be bolstered tonight by the return of 6-foot-3-inch, 230-pound defenseman Tyson Strachan from the American Hockey League.

Gulutzan said there's a good chance the team also will get back rookie center Curtis Fraser from the AHL.

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