Wranglers mount big comeback

After playing some of their worst hockey of the season in the first two periods Thursday, the Wranglers responded with some of their best in the third period and overtime at the Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas scored three straight goals in the third period to erase a three-goal deficit to Alaska, and defenseman Craig Switzer netted the winning goal 55 seconds into the extra session to lift the Wranglers to a dramatic 8-7 victory over the Aces in front of a crowd of 4,339.

Alaska goalie Scott Reid (13-13-5) allowed eight goals on 33 shots, with the last one sliding between his legs into the back of the net.

"Things were going in on that guy lately," said Switzer, who drove to the net for his fourth goal in three games. "I tried to get a shot, I saw the hole there, and it went in.

"We believed the whole time. We came in here after the second (period) and knew we could come back, especially on this goalie. It looked like he was struggling."

Chris Neiszner ignited the comeback 45 seconds into the third period, scoring his second goal of the game to cut Las Vegas' deficit to 7-5. His 60 goals with the Wranglers are a team record.

Miller made it 7-6 at 8:55 of the third when he deflected a point shot from Jason Krischuk into the back of the net, and he tied it at 7 with 3:58 left in regulation on a give-and-go play with Mick Lawrence.

Miller, who had two goals and two assists, extended his point streak to a team-record 12 games and leads Las Vegas in scoring this season with 78 points.

Defenseman Bryan Miller netted three power-play goals and an assist for Alaska, which went 4-for-6 with the man advantage.

Nick Mazzolini added a goal and two assists for the Aces, who chased Wranglers goalie Jimmy Spratt midway through the first period.

Miller scored 5:30 into the game to put Alaska up 1-0, and former Las Vegas player Curtis Fraser cashed in on the power play at
7:32 to make it 2-0.

Mazzolini scored at 11:12 to give the Aces a 3-0 edge and chase Spratt, who gave up three goals on seven shots in his worst outing of the season.

Joel Gistedt, who replaced Spratt, allowed four goals on 21 shots but made a few key saves down the stretch.

Alex Bourret, Mike Madill and Josh Prudden also scored for the Wranglers in the highest-scoring game this season at the Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas (31-26-7) will try to extend its five-game win streak today at home against Alaska (29-26-8).

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