Wranglers thrive at home, struggle on road
Two years ago, the Calgary Flames compiled one of the NHL’s best home records, only to finish with one of the league’s worst road records.
So far this season, the Wranglers have been following the lead of the 2006-07 Flames, their parent club.
Las Vegas (4-5-1), which will host Idaho (4-5-2) at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at the Orleans Arena, is 4-1-0 at home. But the Wranglers are 0-4-1 on the road.
Las Vegas suffered its second straight 2-1 road defeat Monday at Bakersfield, which scored both goals with a two-man advantage.
“The last two road games we’ve played well enough to win,” Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said. “I’m not concerned yet with wins and losses. We’re trying to establish a consistent level of play, where we give the same effort every day. … Once we establish that, it will show in the win-loss column.”
Besides its road woes, Las Vegas has struggled on the power play, scoring six goals on 67 chances.
“Our power play is killing us right now,” said Las Vegas rookie forward J.D. Watt, second on the squad in scoring with nine points. Chris Ferraro leads the team with 11 points.
Team chemistry also is a problem for the Wranglers, who have been affected by roster turnover earlier this season than in recent years.
“There are a lot of guys going in and out of the lineup, and it’s tough to get used to playing with different guys,” Watt said.
Goalie Martin Houle (1-2, 3.03 goals-against average, .845 save percentage) was returned to the Wranglers by Peoria (AHL), giving Las Vegas three goalies, along with John DeCaro (2-1, 1.95 GAA, .923) and Brent Krahn (1-2, 2.04 GAA, .927).
• NOTE — Forward Matt Beaudoin signed a professional tryout agreement with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.
