Wranglers soar on uprising by Miller

The Wranglers gained some incentive before playing their third game in three days.

If they failed to give their best effort against Alaska on Sunday, coach Glen Gulutzan warned he would conduct practice today and Tuesday instead of giving the Wranglers two days off.

Apparently the motivational tactic made its greatest impact on speedy forward Adam Miller, who notched his first professional hat trick to lead Las Vegas to a 4-2 victory over the Aces at Orleans Arena.

"We gave them a little bite before the game and dug at them a little bit, and they came out hard," Gulutzan said. "It's the old thing -- work now or work later."

Miller scored his fourth, fifth and sixth goals of the season, and he went to work from the opening faceoff. He took a pass from Chris St. Croix and streaked to the net, where he beat Aces goalie Marek Schwarz only 16 seconds in.

"I haven't had a goal (at home) yet this season, so it feels good to get not only one, but three, to help out the team," Miller said. "It's always nice getting that goal on the first shift to get the team the momentum right off the bat.

"I used my speed well, and I was a bit hungrier."

Said Gulutzan: "Adam Miller is one of our best-conditioned guys. He was ready to go, and it helped us. Anytime you can play (your third game in three days) with the lead, it gives you that much more energy."

Miller set up Chris Neiszner on a 2-on-1 rush on the power play to give the Wranglers a 2-0 lead with 6:43 left in the second period.

Las Vegas (13-14-2) finished 1-for-3 on its ECHL-worst power play (19-for-165), and Alaska was 0-for-1.

In the third period, Miller again took the puck after the opening faceoff, flew down the ice and rifled a shot from the high slot to make it 3-0.

The second-year pro, who joined the Wranglers from Ferris State late last season, added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds left.

Cam Keith scored for Alaska 6:57 into the third period against Las Vegas goalie John DeCaro, who stopped 35 of 37 shots and allowed a goal by Jordan Foreman with 20 seconds left.

Matt Beaudoin supplied two assists for the Wranglers, who host Utah on Friday and Saturday.

• NOTE -- Las Vegas forward Dan Ryder has been suspended by the Calgary Flames for violation of team rules and conduct detrimental to the best interests of the team.

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